Florida State received a big update as redshirt junior defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. announced that he would be returning to Tallahassee in 2025 for his senior season. Jackson Jr. figures to be a massive piece in defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
However, the big elephant in the room is that starters such as defensive tackle Joshua Farmer have declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, and defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. entered the transfer portal.
This leaves a void to fill with a new defensive line coach Terrance Knighton. As a result, he went out and communicated with a familiar face who knew the defensive scheme in Nebraska redshirt freshman defensive end James Williams.
Florida State landed its top want at defensive end in Williams. The talented pass rusher viewed Knighton as a father to him. While the chemistry fit between the two, the defensive end also had a productive skill set that translated to what the Seminoles wanted to be defensively.
In 16 games with the Cornhuskers, he registered 18 tackles (eight for loss) and seven sacks. I get that Seminole fans might be a little worrisome about Florida State picking up Nebraska transfers (they already secured linebacker Stefon Thompson), but the Cornhuskers' defense was 18th in the FBS in total defense in 2024.
As a wise man once said: "Defense wins championships." I am not suggesting that the Seminoles will be the second coming of the 1985 Bears, but it helps when you have capable pass rushers off the edge to create havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
Florida State is trying to find its identity on defense once again, as they ranked 88th in total defense. Wiliams was a step in the right direction for a program that is looking for sustainable success.
Who is ready for some "Pot Roast"?