FSU football: Options at defensive end with Derrick McLendon departure
By Kelvin Hunt
Final Thoughts
If we think about it, FSU has more proven depth at the defensive end position now than it did at this time last season.
The issues on the defense were not at that position, but at defensive tackle once Fabien Lovett got injured.
The Noles had more sacks in 2022 than in 2021. One thing I expect to play out is FSU’s offense should be so good that most of the games they play will get to garbage time, so these defensive ends shouldn’t be on the field a ton.
That will allow other young players like Dante Anderson, Jaden Jones(JUCO transfer coming off a torn ACL), Aaron Hester (out for spring camp), or possibly slide linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. out to end.
The latter is pound-for-pound one of the strongest guys on the team, and I’m not sure how many snaps he’ll get at linebacker since he missed all of last year and looked lost in coverage.
All in all, I think FSU will be fine in the long run, and I’m interested to see where McLendon ends up next.
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