LB ELIJAH HERRING
Florida State's linebacker position room was nothing special in 2024. There were flashy pieces such as Blake Nichelson, Justin Cryer, and Omar Graham Jr. that fans monitored, but you could tell that veterans like Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune were missed.
Honestly, I thought that the departures of DeLoach and Bethune would hurt, but I thought that the play of DJ Lundy and Cam Riley could make up for the veteran experience that was missing. Even though Lundy could come back in 2025 (if a waiver happens), he did not have the year everyone thought that he would have.
I like the potential of the younger players mentioned, such as Nichelson, Cryer, and Graham Jr., but this is a win-now mode for head football coach Mike Norvell and others associated with the program. They have to put their trust in proven commodities.
One linebacker transfer that I am glad they acquired this offseason was former Tennessee and Memphis player Elijah Herring. The defender had 140 tackles (12 for loss), four sacks, and two interceptions over the past two years for the Volunteers and Tigers.
Herring could be the missing piece in what new defensive coordinator Tony White is looking for in his 3-3-5 defensive scheme.