Pre-season Position Breakdown: Defensive Line

The 2013 BCS National Champions will be getting their 2014 campaign underway in Dallas on August 30th. After winning its first national championship in 14 years last season, Florida State looks to have a very good shot at defending its title. Though quarterback Jameis Winston will garner most of the attention, FSU looks to be solid from top to bottom as Noled Out continues its position previews.

Perhaps an area of concern this season is the defensive front. As is the case everywhere else, the Seminoles are extremely talented on the defensive line, but will be playing a lot of youth. Florida State loses an All-American defensive tackle in Timmy Jernigan, but FSU also will have to replace a number of key reserves along the defensive line. Nevertheless, here’s a look at some of the names to know for 2014:

The Headliner
Mario Edwards Jr., Junior
The former top overall recruit out of high school, Mario Edwards Jr. emerged late last season for the Seminoles. Edwards finished the year with 3.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. At 295 pounds, Edwards has the size and athleticism to play either end or tackle, but will be used primarily on the outside. After making a huge impact for Florida State as the season went on in 2013, big things are expected out of Edwards in 2014.

The Sleeper
Nile Lawrence-Stample, Junior
A redshirt junior, Nile Lawrence-Stample is one of the more experienced interior linemen along the Florida State defensive front. Lawrence-Stample rarely puts up gaudy numbers, but does his job as a load in the middle against the run. Surrounded by big time recruits, Lawrence-Stample won’t receive much attention, but could be FSU’s most used defensive tackle in 2014.

The Future
Derrick Nnadi, Freshman
A Virginia Beach native, Derrick Nnadi was one of the more sought after high school recruits in the country. An incoming freshman, Nnadi has great burst and athleticism. While Florida State isn’t overly deep at defensive tackle, Nnadi should provide the Seminoles will a big body that can contribute immediately and in a big way in the years to come.

Other Names to Know
Eddie Goldman, Junior
One of the nation’s top recruits out of high school, Eddie Goldman has yet to make a major impact at Florida State, but showed significant improvement from his freshman season. Goldman finished with 19 tackles in 2013 while spending time at both end and tackle. While Goldman has yet to live up to expectations, the sky is the limit and he will need a big season to help Florida State replace Timmy Jernigan’s production from a season ago.

Chris Casher, Sophomore
A redshirt sophomore, Chris Casher may be Florida State’s best pure pass-rusher from the defensive end season. After a redshirt year, Casher recorded a pair of sacks in 2013 and one defensive touchdown. Casher is expected to see more of the field in 2014 and with his great explosion off the ball, Casher will be most utilized in obvious passing situations.

DeMarcus Walker, Sophomore
After getting his first action as a freshman in 2013, Walker is sure to see more of the field as a sophomore in 2014. At 270 pounds, Walker is an outstanding athlete and will need to make an impact at defensive end for Florida State to be successful this season. Walker hasn’t received much meaningful playing time, but did record 18 tackles and a sack a season ago.

Overview
The Florida State defensive line will certainly miss Timmy Jernigan as well as key reserves in Jacobbi McDaniel and Demonte McAllister along the interior of the defensive front. The Florida State defensive line however, is full of talent and untapped potential. While FSU is not overly deep or experienced up front, there is no shortage of talent and career-years will be expected out of the end trio of Edwards, Casher and Walker. Incoming freshmen like Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas will help Lawrence-Stample shore up the depth issues at tackle while little-used veterans like Giorgio Newberry, Derrick Mitchell Jr. and Desmond Hollin could also be contributors.

Pre-season Position Breakdown: Quarterback
Pre-season Position Breakdown: Running Back
Pre-season Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver
Pre-season Position Breakdown: Offensive Line