FSU Football: Linebacker Corps Ready to Dominate in 2017

FSU football has had a rich history at the linebacker position – a group that has been forgotten in previous seasons but looks to change that in 2017.

In the past three seasons since winning the school’s third football national title, the linebacker position has been one with plenty of issues for FSU football.

While the defensive line has produced playmakers and the secondary top draft picks, the linebacker spots have been forgotten when they play well and highlighted when making mistakes.

While the new formation usually sees just two linebackers on the field at a time, FSU football has not hesitated to play a traditional three linebacker set – when they have enough healthy players at the position.

Unlike last spring when they had just five healthy linebackers for practice, the Seminoles seem to be fully staffed for 2017…a fact that has coaches smiling and players ready for action.

The group is led by two redshirt seniors who are finally getting a chance to show the leadership and skill coaches knew they always had.

Ro’Derrick Hoskins and Matthew Thomas, who combined for 130 tackles including 16.5 for loss, will be on the field plenty this season and told the Tallahassee Democrat they are relishing their roles and the fact the unit returns everyone from last season:

"“It motivated us because we know we have a big year ahead of us,” said Thomas.  “As a linebacking group, we know we have to get better, we know we have a huge role on our team and we have to do our part.”“We’re all getting equal reps now,” said Hoskins. “Everybody getting the right amount of reps, going out there and showing what they can do.”"

Much of the pressure will fall on the shoulders of Thomas, a former five star recruit from Miami who has dealt with injures and other issues during his first three seasons before finally staying in the starting lineup this past season.

The wild card for the unit could be their newest player, junior college star Adonis Thomas. The former Alabama player who transferred out of Tuscaloosa for more playing time, Thomas could see himself getting reps early against his former team this September, as his new teammates have been impressed with his play.

"“You can see it out there on the field. He’s calling plays and making plays. He’s all over the field. Flying around. … Calling plays,” said Thomas. “That lets you know they’re in the playbook and really want to learn and get out there and play.”"

We’ll see how the linebackers perform during the Garnet and Gold spring game, kicking off on April 8th at 3 p.m. inside Doak Campbell Stadium.