Florida State caught lightning in the bottle when it signed transfer defensive linemen Jermaine Johnson II and Keir Thomas last offseason. The pass-rushing duo was an indispensable, formidable force up front.
The two combined for 18.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss, with Johnson earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in sacks (12) and TFLs (18). FSU jumped from last in the conference in sacks (10) in 2020 to fifth (33) last season.
The Seminoles have spent the spring hoping to maintain a strong defensive front with the departures of Johnson and Thomas. The addition of transfer Jared Verse helps, as does the growth from Fabien Lovett, Robert Cooper and Joshua Farmer.
“We’ve got to create lost plays through technique, through schemes and effort,” defensive coordinator Adam Fuller said following Saturday’s scrimmage. “We started to build on that last year and we’ve had to add some different pieces so that we can continue the progress.”
Lovett (28 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and 2 sacks) and Cooper (36 tackles, 4.5 TFLs) were the anchors, with Farmer, Malcolm Ray and Jarrett Jackson providing help at tackle.
Expectations are for Verse to step into one of the edge roles vacated by Johnson and Thomas. The redshirt sophomore from Albany, N.Y., was one of the top defenders on the transfer market before signing with Florida State. Verse has impressed the Seminoles with his explosive speed and athleticism.
“He’s one of the fastest defensive linemen I’ve ever coached,” said Fuller. “He’s got legitimate straight-line speed. Jared’s been good for us, and he’s exactly who we thought he was. He’s a great teammate, and he’s got high expectations for himself. He loves football, too.”
Added defensive end coach John Papuchis: “I’ve been impressed with Jared in many different ways. His ability to take correction and then apply it has been really impressive so far. He’s not a guy who makes multiple mistakes, or he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.”
The other end spot could wind up in several hands, including Dennis Briggs Jr. and Derrick McLendon II.
Briggs appeared in the first four games before a lower leg injury ended his run last season. Despite the sample size, he was the second highest-graded defender on the team, per Pro Football Focus. Healthy now, the redshirt junior has moved from tackle to end to utilize his speed and tenacity.
“He is that body type that has the size to play inside if you want him to, but he does have the athleticism that he can play defensive end,” said Papuchis. “As our defense has evolved over the two years plus that we’ve been here, having that big physical presence in the edge spot is an advantage for us.”
Papuchis envisions Briggs spending the early downs at end before moving inside to tackle on obvious third-down passing situations, similar to how the Seminoles used Thomas.
Redshirt freshmen Patrick Payton, Byron Turner and George Wilson also have shown potential at end, along with Dante Anderson at tackle.
“We probably have as much depth in the room as I’ve ever had an opportunity to coach,” said Papuchis. “It’s always a challenge to get the guys enough work.”
Added Fuller: “We’ve got a good group of guys. Now it’s just about getting better and making sure these young guys develop into the next core.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
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