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FSU football: Impact of D’Mitri Emmanuel on ‘Noles program

By Kelvin Hunt

Players for the Florida State Seminoles raise their helmets in celebration after winning the NCAA Nokia Sugar Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on 4th January 2000 at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The Florida State Seminoles won the game 46 - 29. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Players for the Florida State Seminoles raise their helmets in celebration after winning the NCAA Nokia Sugar Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on 4th January 2000 at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The Florida State Seminoles won the game 46 - 29. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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FSU football got a valuable commitment from graduate transfer offensive lineman D’Mitri Emmanuel Monday night.

The transfer from UNC-Charlotte has a relationship with FSU football offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. Atkins coaches Emmanuel at UNC-Charlotte during the 2019 season before leaving to coach at FSU.

The coaching staff added two offensive linemen from the transfer portal in the spring, but there’s a continued need at the position, which makes the addition of someone like Emmanuel valuable. FSU’s starting five last year was not a bad unit, but injuries happen on the o-line nearly every year, and the lack of depth exposes that weakness.

A few of the FSU offensive linemen played hurt last year, because frankly, there was noone else capable of playing at a competitive level. That brings us to the new additions from the transfer portal. Kayden Lyles will likely play center, and Bless Harris has the versatility to play guard or tackle.

The latter goes for D’Mitri Emmanuel, which gives FSU lots of flexibility depth-wise. FSU coaches would like to have a rotation of 8-9 offensive linemen without experiencing a significant drop off. Here’s what the addition of Emmanuel helps provide:

  • Darius Washington-Multiple starts at tackle
  • Dillan Gibbons-Multiple starts on interior
  • Maurice Smith-Multiple starts at center
  • Kayden Lyles-Multiple career starts at center/guard
  • Robert Scott-Multiple starts at tackle
  • D’Mitri Emmanuel-Multiple starts at guard/tackle
  • Bless Harris-Multiple starts at guard/tackle

That’s seven offensive linemen with experience and lots of versatility. I know Maurice Smith caught a lot of flack, but he played with a bad back last year which is no joke. He does need to get stronger to anchor better in the middle, but a healthy Smith isn’t a bad player. The only question is can the coaching staff get contributions from the following players:

  • Thomas Shrader
  • Bryson Estes
  • Rod Orr
  • Zane Herring
  • Lloyd Willis

Shrader showed promise before an injury derailed him and forced him to miss all last year. Estes got to FSU football more advanced physically than most freshmen, and redshirted last year. Rod Orr redshirted last year and is a work in progress. Zane Herring missed 2020 with an injury and spent most of last year rehabbing, appearing in two games. Lloyd Willis has improved but continues to need time to develop.

The addition of Emmanuel takes some pressure off expectations from those final five listed and gives FSU seven experienced offensive linemen. If they could get contributions from Shrader, Estes, or Willis? This offensive line could surprise some folks.

Next. Transfer Portal Position Targets Coming Into Focus. dark

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