As the 2014 season nears, Florida State looks to become just the fourth team to win consecutive national championships in the last 30 years. FSU enters the season ranked #1 in the coaches poll and on a 16-game winning streak — the longest in the nation. With a match-up with Oklahoma State in Dallas just over three weeks away, here are the story lines that will surround the Florida State defense in 2014:
Can Edwards Take the Next Step?
Florida State junior defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. was the top overall player out of high school in 2012. After sitting behind Bjoern Werner and Cornellius “Tank” Carradine as a freshman, Edwards had a solid sophomore season for Florida State recording 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble return for touchdown. Edwards got progressively better as the year went on and enters 2014 with huge expectations. At 280 pounds, Edwards is a rare breed at defensive end and fans are expecting an All-American type season out of the Texas product. With Timmy Jernigan gone, Edwards will become the focal point of the Florida State defensive line and how he handles the added attention will ultimately decide what sort of 2014 campaign Edwards puts together.
Will Secondary Live Up to the Hype?
While Thorpe Award finalist and All-American Lamarcus Joyner is gone, the Florida State defensive backfield is still expected to be one of the best in the country. Last season, the Seminoles led the nation with 26 total interceptions. Cornerback P.J. Williams and safety Jalen Ramsey are each on the Thorpe Award watch list while Ronald Darby, Tyler Hunter and Nate Andrews could start for most teams in the country. Florida State won’t face a very experienced crop of quarterbacks which could make for an even bigger year for the FSU secondary than last season.
Finding a Leader
The Florida State defense not only loses five starters, but it also loses its vocal leaders in Lamarcus Joyner and linebacker Telvin Smith. Although there is no shortage of talent on the defensive side of the football, the Seminoles have very few seniors and perhaps none in the starting lineup. In addition to the starters lost, Florida State replaces three key reserves in fifth-year seniors Jacobbi McDaniel, Dan Hicks and Demonte McAllister. While Florida State looks to be talented enough to offset its lack of experience, finding veteran leadership will be important.
Kelly’s New Role
With Jeremy Pruitt bolting for Athens, Charles Kelly will become Florida State’s third defensive coordinator in as many years. Kelly last season, served as the team’s linebackers coach and will have a very talented team to work with. Kelly however, has never been a full-time coordinator at the FBS level, which could be something of a concern for a young defense. Kelly likely won’t implement a vastly different scheme from the one that helped Florida State become the nation’s top scoring defense in 2013, but how that side of the ball performs under a new man remains to be seen.
Related Articles
Seminoles’ Offensive Storylines for 2014
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
