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FSU Football: What Lorenzo Featherston’s Disqualification Means For The Defensive Line

By Jason Parker

Apr 11, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback J.J. Cosentino (16) runs the ball as he is chased down by defensive end Lorenzo Featherston (41) during the spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback J.J. Cosentino (16) runs the ball as he is chased down by defensive end Lorenzo Featherston (41) during the spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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We take a look at what the medical disqualification of defensive end Lorenzo Featherston will have on FSU football in the 2016 season.

It was news that had been expected since the start of spring football, but that didn’t make it any easier for fans of FSU football to hear or head coach Jimbo Fisher to say. During an event with supporters of the Seminoles in Jacksonville, Fisher confirmed news regarding defensive end Lorenzo Featherston.

The junior from North Carolina, who has dealt with knee injuries dating back to his high school playing days and continuing during his time playing for FSU football, had been sidelined since the second day of spring practice with what officials called a serious knee injury. Fisher confirmed the worst…Featherston’s playing days with the Seminoles will come to an end:

Featherston was a four star recruit who arrived in Tallahassee and saw playing time in seven games as a freshman, coming up with 19 tackles (including five for a loss) and one sack. He would play in just four games during the 2015 season while dealing with nagging injuries.

His big presence (as the former top ranked player in the Tar Heel State stands at around 6’7″) will be missed on a defensive line that is primed to continue the uphill climb of the defense under coordinator Charles Kelly. Featherston, if he was able to get healthy, was expected to compete for playing time on the opposite end from Josh Sweat, getting help on the outside rush from linebacker DeMarcus Walker (who may line up more as an end in 2016).

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Featherston’s departure will also mean plenty of playing time for newcomers to the Seminoles in 2016. Freshman star recruits like Janarius Robinson (Panama City) and Brian Burns (Fort Lauderdale) will get a chance to show why they were four and five star recruits respectively and likely see some serious minutes in the opener on September 5th against Ole Miss.

What is lost by some in all of this is that FSU football is losing a player who has overcome adversity regarding injuries even before arriving in Tallahassee. Yet, even with the odds stacked against him, Featherston continued to give it his all and try to stay on the field. We can only hope he will still be a part of the program in some capacity, sharing his knowledge with the future FSU football stars.

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