FSU football coaches had a big priority for the 2022 recruiting cycle, and that was improving in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Although improving under the tuteledge of Alex Atkins, the offensive line was still a unit that needed to get better through the high school ranks and a select few from the transfer portal. FSU coaches added six offensive linemen from the high school ranks and four from the transfer portal.
The latest addition from the transfer portal was former South Carolina offensive lineman Jazston Turnetine. FSU announced the addition Tuesday after Turnetine had announced he was down to FSU and Michigan State for his two finalists last week.
Here’s what Mike Norvell had to say about Turnetine via press release:
"“Jazston has tremendous size with great power and athleticism,” Norvell said. “His starting experience in big games and his skillset immediately increases the competition among our offensive line group. Ayobami brings incredible length, explosiveness and playmaking ability. His upcoming redshirt season will allow him to focus on growing his fundamentals and technique, and the sky is the limit for him as he develops within our program. We are enthusiastic about the addition of these two and believe they will both have a great impact.”"
Jazston Turnetine checks in at 6’7″ and 335 pounds, with 10 starts in 18 games while at South Carolina.
Impact
One of the biggest challenges for the offensive line has been quality depth in the past few years. The starting five might have been slightly below average before injuries hit, but an injury to a starter caused the level of play to fall off the side of a cliff. Not only that, but multiple starters played with injuries last season, which isn’t uncommon, but it’s worse when there’s no depth. The addition of Turnetine gives the Noles at least seven players with quality starting experience:
-Darius Washington
-Dillon Gibbons
-Maurice Smith
-Kayden Lyles
-Bless Harris
–D’Mitri Emmanuel
-Robert Scott Jr.
The idea is to have seven or more dependable players rotate along the offensive line. The Noles have a couple of more players that could contribute if they continue to develop:
-Thomas Shrader
-Bryson Estes
-Lloyd Willis
-Rod Orr
At the very worst, having seven dependable players could allow 1-2 of these players to continue developing, along with six freshmen from the 2022 class. FSU offensive linemen have been thrust into action much too early in years past, resulting in injuries and time spent rehabbing instead of getting bigger and stronger. Turnetine isn’t expected to be All-World, but if he can be serviceable, it’s an upgrade over last year.
Final Thoughts
FSU coaches did a great job addressing the offensive line in the recruiting cycle. It could become part of the foundation to help turn FSU’s fortune around whether this coaching staff succeeds or not.
The impact of the transfers should be felt this year, and the freshmen should become contributors in a year or two. Lyles, Emmanuel, and Turnetine only have one year of eligibility left, which clears space for some talented offensive linemen to join the program in the 2023 recruiting cycle.
It’s a balance the coaching staff has to manage. They had to acquire quality talent from the high school ranks while getting players from the transfer portal that could play immediately while improving over the product they’ve had in the past.
These players can play multiple positions, which is also a bonus. If the Noles could have better injury luck along the offensive line and the unit can form some chemistry quickly?
This line has a chance to be average to above average for the first time in quite some time.