One of the biggest question marks for Florida State going into spring camp was where the pass rush on the defensive side would come from. FSU hasn’t had much of a pass rush since Jared Verse and Braden Fiske left after the 2023 season for the NFL.
Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr. were busts in 2024 and entered the transfer program once that season ended. FSU transitioning from a four-man front to a 3-3-5 multiple scheme changed how they rush the quarterbacks, and Tony White's defenses don’t record a ton of sacks historically. Amaree Williams and James Williams failed to make an impact from the JACK positions a year ago and entered the transfer portal.
Florida State retaining the Desir twins and Daniel Lyons will help, and they added some transfer portal help in Jalen Anderson, Rylan Kennedy, and Mikai Gbayor(he was productive in White’s defense at Nebraska before transferring to North Carolina).
Mike Norvell mentioned he was pleased with the pass rush in two minute must pass situations at practice earlier this week (4:14 mark):
An improved pass rush might be just what the doctor ordered for Florida State's defense in 2026.
Norvell said, "Something we lacked a year ago, I’m seeing guys getting home to the quarterback with pass rush, speed, explosiveness…it was one of those from a four-down rush to be able to see that show up…they are challenging these offensive linemen.”
Norvell was referencing how the defensive front is challenging the offensive line while they figure out the pecking order for the offensive line under Herb Hand. FSU will have a largely brand new offensive line compared to a year ago. It's less proven experience, but also built to sustain longer because more of those transfers have multiple years of eligibility.
FSU not having a pass rush the past two years has absolutely been a major issue because it affects everything the defense does. The seconday has to cover longer, and linebackers get lost in space. A better pass rush helps negate some of that and potentially helps generate more turnovers. This news can be taken a couple of ways. The offensive line may not be great, or the defensive front is getting after it.
I expect the defense to be better coordinated in year two under Tony White, so the pass rush should be better by default. If so, that's something Florida State fans should be happy about.