FSU football depth chart projection following spring and transfer portal
By Kelvin Hunt
Defensive line
Starters: DE Patrick Payton, DT, Joshua Farmer, DT Darrell Jackson, DE Marvin Jones Jr.
Top Backups: Sione Lolohei, Grady Kelly, Daniel Lyons, KJ Sampson, Tomiwa Durojaiye, Byron Turner Jr.
FSU football coaches used a huge rotation of players along the defensive front last year to keep guys fresh. Although I've listed starters, most of these guys will play a ton of reps this season. The guys listed as starters have a ton of experience and production except for Marvin Jones Jr. Lolohei is a former Pac-12 second-team all-conference player. Kelly is a former freshman All-American. Durojaiye saw snaps at West Virginia, and the other three guys saw snaps at FSU last year. There might be a slight drop-off from the starters FSU had last year, but the overall depth is much better across the line.
Linebacker
Starters: DJ Lundy, Justin Cryer
Top Backups: Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson, Shawn Murphy, Cam Riley
The linebacker position will look drastically different, with veteran starters Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach going to the NFL. DJ Lundy returns as the most experienced guy in Adam Fuller's defense after flirting with Colorado in the transfer portal. Justin Cryer seems to have emerged as the guy ready to take the next step and better understanding of the defense. FSU will run a mixture of 4-2-5 and 4-3, so they could get Blake Nichelson as the third linebacker in coverage in the latter. FSU knew they needed more depth and experience, so they went to the portal to get Shawn Murphy and Cam Riley. Murphy didn't separate himself this spring and Riley wasn't on campus for spring camp. This lineup could change, but at least FSU has physically ready bodies to play while several young players continue to practice to eventually become contributors.