FSU football: Projected defensive skill spring depth chart
By Cole Maines
Mike LB: Stephen Dix Jr., DJ Lundy
Will LB: Emmett Rice, Amari Gainer, Jaleel McRae, Jayion McCluster
In 4-3 defense, Stud LB: Amari Gainer, Kalen Deloach, There is a good rotation of guys. I included the stud position but it’s not part of a 4-2-5 defense, and you can’t justify leaving Gainer on the bench when he is one of the best players.
He will likely play more at the WILL position if the Noles move to the 4-2-5 defense. Deloach will likely serve as depth have to move and I think he will get time at WILL to bring some depth to the position.
Jayion McCluster redshirted last season and will look to carve out a role somewhere and could be a contributor on special teams as well. He won the defensive scout team award last season.
Getting Rice back was major. As the youth develops, returning leadership is key and was akin to adding another transfer. This move helped to save a scholarship spot for an offensive tackle or another position of need.
McRae is encouraging. He made his first start while contributing as a reserve his first two years in the program. I’ll be excited to see what the former four-star can do when he gets starting minutes.
I have talked glowingly about Lundy and Dix in other articles, and I think they are only scratching the surface of their capabilities.