FSU Football: Top 5 most important defensive players for 2021

Amari Gainer

Gainer was one of the better PFF performers from last season despite his limited play. Yet, due to the transition from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 nickel set, he was only used in sub-packages and primarily as a pass rusher.

As the season wore one, he was gradually moved into the middle up until this spring. However, due to the Emmett Rice injury, this process has needed to be accelerated and Gainer will be a necessity to play next to the young guns Dix Jr., Lundy, and McCluster.

How he plays with them and develops as one of the veteran players on the defense is important to both the present team and the future.

This burden isn’t only his to bear, as Kalen DeLoach and Jaleel McRae have shown growth in the spring and will need to be a part of the rotation this spring. However, Gainer’s pass rush specialty role could end up giving the youth less responsibility, and they can focus on their individual roles.

Gainer is also very vocal on the field and can help in that way.

Now, should Rice return in time to play week one, we could see Gainer’s role slightly decrease, but his importance to this team would remain the same as someone who will strengthen the second unit and step into multiple roles.