FSU Football: Projecting the linebacker depth chart for 2020

‘Star’ Linebacker

The third and final linebacker, the “Star” is typically the most versatile player on defense who can cover, is good sitting in the zone, and can play his run fits properly. The most obvious person to get the starting nod here is Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, who excelled in a similar role during the 2018 season.

Woodbey had 58 tackles as a freshman and showed the ability to cover receivers and tight ends one-on-one. While he did struggle a bit adjusting to linebacker last season, this spot is his most natural fit aside from safety in which he may have put on too much weight to play effectively.

Sitting behind Woodbey is anybody’s guess. Gainer may receive reps at this position, as well as Hamsah Nasirildeen. Coming off an injury, it’s most likely Nasrildeen heads back to safety, where he’s earned a reputation as an aggressive, downfield run stopper, but it would not be surprising if the coaching staff put him here during camp to see if there’s a fit.

The caveat here is the coaching staff would have to be very comfortable with the backups at safety, and we do not know if they are yet.

The final two who could receive snaps here are Brendan Gant and Raymond Woodie III. Both have the length and speed to hold their own in coverage, and both, Gant especially, are aggressive run stoppers.

Gant had a great freshman campaign where he totaled 35 tackles and is the most likely candidate to be the true backup to Woodbey. Woodie III could receive reps here if the staff feels comfortable with him as a run stopper, which remains to be seen.