FSU football: Improved or not? How positions rank compared to last year
By Kelvin Hunt
Linebackers Slightly Better Than 2020
This unit has been one of the worst units on the team in recent years. However, there’s some room for optimism with some talent and experience returning to the position.
Stephen Dix Jr. was thrown in the fire as a freshman and got some valuable reps. I look for him to take a step forward with a full offseason to learn exactly what Adam Fuller expects him to do.
Emmett Rice returns as a super senior using his COVID year. He was the second-leading tackler on the team in 2020 and would provide a huge lift for this unit.
The team’s leading tackler, Amari Gainer returns and expects to take snaps at linebacker. It appears Kalen DeLoach began to turn the corner and could be a contributor.
There’s also DJ Lundy, who saw action in seven games last season.
That’s the three top tacklers from last year returning with an offseason to develop and understand expectations in the defensive scheme. This unit could see a leap in improvement, but I’m going to be conservative with slightly better.