Here are FSU football’s top defensive players to keep an eye on this spring

After a quiet month, Florida State football is preparing to take the field again for spring practices, beginning on Tuesday, March 19.

With multiple players graduating, transferring, or declaring for the NFL Draft from last season’s roster, the Seminoles will have a different look from last season.

Here are some of the top defensive players to watch for this spring.

Sione Lolohea, Redshirt senior, Defensive lineman

Oregon State Beavers defensive lineman Sione Lolohea (90) during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on Oct. 8, 2022, in Stanford, California.

One of two Oregon State transfers to arrive in Tallahassee this offseason, Lolohea is expected to have a major impact on the Seminoles’ defensive line.

He was an All-PAC 12 second-team defense last season, recording 47 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and seven quarterback hurries.

Bringing in a player like Lolohea allows little to no drop-off on the line, and could see him leave an impact this coming season.

It also says something that quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was pushing for Lolohea to come to Tallahassee when he transferred to FSU from Oregon State in January.

Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Patrick Payton (11) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Max Brown (17) at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023 during the second half. Florida State won 24-15. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Payton had a monster sophomore season. Paired with Jared Verse on the other side of the defensive line, the duo was lethal.

The pair combined for 84 tackles, 16 sacks, 11 pass deflections and three forced fumbles. Payton had 43 tackles, seven sacks and nine pass deflections.

With Verse now gone, declaring for the NFL Draft, that No. 1 spot opens up for Payton. He started off…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fsu-footballs-top-defensive-players-101854337.html

Author : Tallahassee Democrat

Publish date : 2024-02-28 10:18:54

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