FSU football: Impact of Emmett Rice & Baveon Johnson returning

By Kelvin Hunt | Jan 20, 2021

Sep 29, 2018; Louisville, KY, USA; Florida State Seminoles linebacker Emmett Rice (56) celebrates with Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jaiden Woodbey (20) after a play against the Louisville Cardinals during second half at Cardinal Stadium. Florida State defeated Louisville 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Emmett Rice

The linebacker position was one that didn’t make the strides we thought in the preseason. Emmett Rice teamed up with freshman Stephan Dix Jr. and flashed a few times this season.

Rice was second on the team in tackles with 72 in 13 games during the 2019 season. He was on pace to surpass that number in 2020 as he finished second on the team again with 62 tackles in only nine games.

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One area we saw noticeable improvement was tackles for loss. Rice finished with 4.5 tackles for loss in 2019 but saw that increase to 7.5 in four fewer games in 2020.

He also improved with two passes defended and two quarterback hurries.

There are reports the Noles will be running a 4-2-5 defense, which means two linebackers will be on the field similar to what the Noles ran when Jimbo Fisher was head coach.

Rice will be the WILL linebacker and have the ability to drop in coverage or play sideline to sideline.

He brings a ton of experience and that should be helpful to Stephen Dix Jr. while allowing other younger players time to develop.

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