FSU football: Top 15 most important defensive players for 2024 season
By Kelvin Hunt
No. 12 Byron Turner Jr.-DE
I mentioned the importance of Byron Turner taking the next step in a post a few days ago. FSU has two proven defensive ends in Patrick Payton and Sione Lolohea, and one of the most talented but unproven guys in Marvin Jones Jr. All three guys will play significant snaps, but FSU needs one more guy to complete its two-deep and establish great depth. That's where Turner Jr. comes into play. He took a nice step in his first significant action last year after battling injuries the year before.
Much like its defensive tackles, FSU likes to rotate bodies at the defensive end position. FSU saw a significant drop-off when Jared Verse exited games last year. Can Turner Jr. be that fourth guy to team with Marvin Jones Jr. or Sione Lolohea to avoid a huge drop-off when they exit the field? If so, it would make a major impact on the FSU defense and its viability in the second half. FSU has less proven guys behind Turner Jr., so ascension likely avoids a large drop-off at the position.