After breaking down the FSU football interior defensive line, Sam Tschida takes a look at what FSU fans should expect from the defensive end position.
Two weeks ago, we took a look at the depth of the interior defensive line of FSU football. The return of all three starters from this past season made the expectations for the defensive line as a whole sky-high, and we broke down exactly what fans should expect here. While the interior line is a very important part of the defense, it is only half of the defensive line in total. The other part, the edge defenders, are just as important, and this season, they will be the key for the ‘Noles on defense.
Last season, the ‘Noles transitioned to a 3-4, and it changed a lot about the way the defensive ends/edge defenders played. Defensive Ends Josh Kaindoh and Janarius Robinson transitioned to outside linebacker, while linebackers like Amari Gainer played a hybrid end/linebacker role. Here’s an example
The new scheme did not always work super well, and with lack of an exterior pass rush, the edge rusher position struggled at times. On the flip side, Kaindoh and especially Robinson excelled defending against the run, holding the edge and not allowing big runs on the outside.
New defensive coordinator Adam Fuller runs a hybrid 4-3 scheme and will install this defense at Florida State. A 4-3 scheme simply means that the base defense features four defensive linemen and three linebackers. This can change during a game depending on the situation (If you have ever played the NCAA Football video game, you are familiar with this), but the 4-3 is the ‘base’ that FSU will run this season.
However, while Fuller does run a 4-3, it is a bit different from the traditional formation, which features four ‘down’ (hands in the dirt), defensive linemen. Fuller’s scheme changes that up a little bit. He does normally run with four d-linemen but keeps the short-side defensive end standing up. This position is known as the ‘Fox’ and is a hybrid end-linebacker type, but the ‘Fox’ does not normally drop into coverage as we see with a 3-4 edge player.
Here, we can see Fuller’s base defense against SMU. We see three down linemen in a ‘3’ technique (between tackle and guard), a ‘1’ technique (in between center and guard) and a ‘5’ tech (outside shoulder of tackle). The fourth linemen, the weakside defensive end, is a two-point linebacker stance, which differs from the traditional ‘hand in the dirt’ defensive lineman. Unlike a 3-4, when the edge defender can have coverage responsibilities, along with rushing the passer and stopping the run.
With Memphis, the Tigers had a few players lined up at defensive end throughout the season. Looking back at Memphis game tape from 2019, #5 Everitt Cunninghan, #94 Joseph Dorcephus and #55 Bryce Huff all got the most playing time as the ‘edge’ defenders. Huff, for the most part, stayed as the ‘down’ defensive end, while Cunningham and Dorcephus played the stand-up edge. In Fuller’s defense, all three of them played a huge role in the Tiger’s season, with Huff leading the team in sacks and Dorcephus sitting in second. Both Huff and Cunningham stand a 6’3 and weighs almost 250, while Dorcephus is at 6’0, 240.
Now that we’ve taken a look at what the edge defender’s role is in this new defense, what will the defensive end position look like in 2020 for FSU football?
‘Fox’ Defensive End
Currently, Florida State’s DE position is in a bit of disarray. The ‘Noles tried to recruit to a 3-4 scheme last recruiting cycle and have not signed that many ‘true’ defensive ends since 2017. The ‘Noles do have two very experienced players coming back for the 2020 season.
As mentioned above, both Janarius Robinson and Joshua Kaindoh are returning for their fourth year on campus. Robinson and Kaindoh fit the profile of Fuller’s preferred standing ‘Fox’ defensive end. It will be interesting to see if Fuller decides to start Kaindoh and Robinson at opposite defensive ends, or they switch in and out at the ‘Fox’ position.
The most natural fit would most likely be Robinson, who sets a strong edge presence and had a great year stopping the run in 2019. He is the projected starter at the ‘Fox’ end, but it would not be surprising to see the defense experiment with Kaindoh at the position as well.
The depth behind Robinson appears a bit murky with a whole lot of fresh faces that should receive playing time. Jarrett Jackson, a transfer from Louisville who sat out last season after receiving playing time in 2018. Jackson is 6’6 and has the length that would make him a dangerous pass rusher and run stopper if he develops well.
Dennis Briggs recorded 28 tackles last season, 3.5 of which were for a loss, in just 10 games of play. Briggs is the most likely candidate to back up Robinson and should receive more playing time. Curtis Fann and Quashon Fuller, both of whom redshirted last season after appearing in two games, could also see reps here. Finally, I do think Amari Gainer may see action at the ‘Fox’ position, but he is listed as a linebacker according to FSU’s website.
Traditional Defensive End
The more traditional defensive end position sits at the ‘long’ or normally ‘strong’ side of the field and features a lineman in a traditional stance.
As mentioned above, while it is not out of the realm of possibility that Josh Kaindoh gets reps at the ‘Fox’ end, it’s much more likely he receives the starting nod at the traditional end spot.
Before his injury against UVA last fall. The former five-star was putting together a good start to the season, recording a sack and nine tackles. Kaindoh has shown flashes of elite ability during his time in Tallahassee, and if fully healthy, could be primed for a big year.
Backing up Kaindoh is a slew of underclassmen. Derrick McLendon, the former three-star from Pensacola played in four games last season, projects to receive the majority of reps behind Kaindoh.
True freshman Josh Griffis and TJ Davis might see reps as both have the length and speed to contribute early on, although it would not be surprising to see either redshirt. Both Griffis and Davis are projected as better pass rushers than run stoppers, which makes them candidates for early playing time.