FSU football: 5 dark horse players who could emerge in 2024 spring camp

Jaden Jones

The defensive end position lost its best player who'll become a top-15 NFL Draft pick next month, Jared Verse. The coaching staff had some experienced guys returning like All-ACC Patrick Payton and Byron Turner Jr. However, there wasn't any proven depth behind those two guys, so the coaching staff turned to the transfer portal to bring more talent, depth, and experience to the position. I expect those two returners and the portal guys to get the bulk of the snaps, but there's one defensive end that intrigues me, and that's former JUCO prospect Jaden Jones.

He's an intriguing player, listed at 6'5" and 250 pounds, who got to FSU while recovering from a knee injury. He appeared in five games and recorded two tackles and a QB hurry. He's someone Coach John Papuchis mentioned as a hard worker and is practicing without the knee brace he used last year. I'm sure he's still raw as a player, but his size and length will play as long as he continues to develop in the weight room. I saw some footage of him last year, and he seemed to have some burst in the open field. He's someone that could make some major strides this spring.