FSU Football: Linebacker breakdown from 2019 class

For a variety of reasons, FSU football’s linebacker play has been mediocre in recent seasons. Did they address it with this recruiting class?

It has been several years since FSU football has had consistent, quality performance at the linebacker position. The 2018 season began with the Seminoles trying to find three new starters. Dontavious Jackson did a pretty good job in the middle and should start there for his senior season in 2019.

Jaiden Woodbey will return from a shoulder injury and wreak havoc at the star position. Defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett could not find a quality starter for the outside linebacker position, and because of injuries there wasn’t much depth at any position.

Last year’s recruiting class included two 4-star linebacker recruits, in Xavier Peters, who appeared in two games and redshirted, and Amari Gainer, who appeared in four games and also redshirted. Both are expected to see significant time in 2019.

Florida State Seminoles Football

Adding talented depth was key to make this class a success and FSU football signed three linebackers. How will they benefit the Seminole defense?

2019 linebacker recruits

Jaleel McRae, a 4-star recruit, signed in December and enrolled early. He is listed as an outside linebacker, but he has the size to play inside as well. Getting on campus early will give him the opportunity to learn the defense with the hope of getting snaps this fall. At 6’ 205 lbs., Kalen DeLoach is small for a typical linebacker but he is fast and extremely athletic.

He should be good in pass coverage, whether he plays outside linebacker or backs up Woodbey at the star. Kevon Glenn was the inside linebacker signed in the class. He is 6’1 220 lbs. and loves being physical and making contact. When he makes the field, he should be a quality run stopper, which the Noles sorely need.

Looking forward to 2020

Coach Willie Taggart should be very pleased with this class, but he and his coaches aren’t resting. They already have two commits in the 2020 class. Noles247’s 9th ranked outside linebacker, Keyshawn Greene, is a 4-star recruit from nearby Crawfordville. He is big for an outside linebacker at 6’ 3” 215, and he is athletic, which will benefit him when covering tight ends and big receivers.

Also a 4-star recruit, Stephen Dix Jr., will play outside linebacker and possibly star in college. He is incredibly fast and aggressive, and will bring an attitude to Florida State, that will hopefully rub off on his teammates. FSU football has also offered two other linebackers, and they are blue chip studs.

The first, Sav’ell Smalls, is the #2 recruit in the country according to 247 Sports. A catch like Smalls could be a catalyst for a huge 2020 class. The second offer is huge too, the nation’s #2 inside linebacker, Antoine Sampah, from Virginia. If the Seminoles can pull either or both of these guys, it could change FSU’s fortunes at the linebacker position.