FSU football: Noles have the best defensive line in ACC for 2023?

We’ve discussed the FSU football secondary, offensive line, and running backs with ESPN’s David Hale over the past few weeks.

He has all three groups in the top tier of the ACC, but where does he rank the FSU defensive line?

I’m glad you asked.

FSU had one of the better defensive line groups going into the 2022 season. It was evident how they terrorized a young LSU offensive line group in the season opener.

However, a flaw in the unit was a lack of depth, which got exposed once Fabien Lovett missed the majority of the season.

It didn’t help that Jared Verse got injured early in the season and play at less than 100 percent the remainder of the year. Ironically, Lovett and Verse were only on the field together for 17 percent of FSU’s total defensive snaps.

However, the data suggests the defense would have been dominant had both remained healthy the entire season.

Thoughts

Why some folks fail to add this context towards last season’s performance baffles me. If someone wants to criticize the coaches for not having depth at the postion, that’s fair.

However, complaining and speaking like the defense was terrible last year, even with the injuries, is ludicrous. That’s why we have to give credit to the coaching staff for self scouting and acquiring the pieces needed to address depth concerns.

The return of Lovett and Verse, with the additions of Darrell Jackson Jr. (if his transfer waiver gets approved), Braden Fiske, and Gilber Edmonds from the portal adds massive talent and depth.

Not to mention FSU has young guns like Joshua Farmer, Daniel Lyons, and Ayobami Tifase waiting in the wings.2

The only question marks would be at the defensive end position once you get past Verse, Payton, and Edmond. Will young guys like Byron Turner Jr. step up? Will we see more Dennis Briggs Jr. at defensive end, where he played before moving inside because of depth issues at defensive tackle?

Fiske could slide out wide as well. Either way, they have options and depth they haven’t had in years along the defensive trenches.