FSU football: 3 defensive questions going into 2021 spring camp
By Kelvin Hunt
Linebackers
When a freshman overtakes a senior at the linebacker spot, that means one of two things. The freshman is extraordinary, or the senior isn’t very good.
I think Stephen Dix Jr. was probably in the middle of those two statements. Emmett Rice returning for his sixth season is a boon for the position, and hopefully all 15 spring practices can help this group improve.
The game was moving too fast(and rightfully so) for Dix for much of the year, and the RPO game of some offenses caught him in no man’s land a lot of times.
Rice flashed at times but still struggled in coming downhill and hitting the right gaps.
The other questions are who else will step up for playing time? Leonard Warner will now play the FOX(defensive end) position if he’s on the field. Will we see more of Amari Gainer at linebacker? Will Jaleel McRae, Kalen DeLoach, and D.J. Lundy crack the lineup at any point?
If the move to the Nickel defense happens, that means only two linebackers will be on the field at one time. The good news is they have talent, but it’s all about getting these players to understand their roles and execute consistently.