Column: How Does FSU Fill Pass Rushing Voids from Johnson, Thomas?
When it came to 2021, Florida State saw no bigger improvement than it did with its pass rush.During the 2020 season, the Seminoles ranked dead last in the ACC and 119th nationally in sacks per game at 1.1. Last season, FSU more than doubled its sacks per game average to 2.75 per contest. That ranked fourth in the ACC and in the top 40 nationally.
The biggest reason for the turnaround was a pair of SEC transfers. Jermaine Johnson II, previously at Georgia, put forward an All-American campaign for the Seminoles. Johnson led the ACC with 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss before being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
A South Carolina transfer, Thomas also enjoyed a stellar year. Thomas finished with 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss while earning third-team All-ACC honors.Both seniors last season, the two are now trying to make their presences felt in the NFL. For FSU, however, the two leave a huge void.In 2021, the duo accounted for 56% of the team's sacks and 35% of its tackles for loss. Replacing that production will not be easy, but that is the task at hand.
Back to the Portal
Ultimately, it was the transfer portal that transformed FSU's pass rush in 2021. In 2022, that could again be a prominent source.Big things are expected out of Albany defensive end transfer Jared Verse. Verse recorded 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss last season for the Great Danes and has shown no shortage of confidence since taking his talents to Tallahassee.At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Verse has all the physical tools to excel at the FBS level. His presence was felt during the FSU spring game as he took a blocked kick back for a touchdown. Earlier this week, recruiting analyst Mike Farrell ranked Verse as the top transfer in the country, who is transitioning from FCS to FBS.
Who Takes the Nest Step?
The leading returning sack man for FSU is Derrick McLendon. Now in his fourth season, McLendon was never the most heralded prospect, but has shown a high motor since being given his first real opportunity in 2020. McLendon tallied 3.5 sacks last season and could come close to doubling that total in 2022.At 280 pounds, Dennis Briggs was off to a stellar start last season before suffering a season-ending injury against Louisville in September. His versatility makes him a candidate to play either on the edge or inside.
Other returning players who look to make an impact on the edge in 2022 include Shambre Jackson, Patrick Payton and George Wilson. One of the more intriguing players may be sixth-year senior Leonard Warner. Once a 4-star linebacker, Warner has never lived up to the hype, but has 44 career games to his name.
Pressure from the Inside
While the edge rushers tend to come away with the most sacks and are primarily tasked with getting to the quarterback, it's possible that FSU gets some help from its interior. The Seminoles should have one of the better duos of defensive tackles in the ACC in Fabien Lovett and Robert Cooper.Last season, those two each had 4.5 tackles for loss. Lovett had two sacks.The interior is also a position where the Seminoles appear to have pretty good depth. Undersized to start his FSU career, Malcolm Ray made tremendous strides last season with 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.Jarrett Jackson, who began his career at Louisville, has experience playing inside and on the edge. Jackson recorded 1.5 tackles for loss last season. Among younger players on the roster, look for Joshua Farmer to emerge in the rotation.
Overview
Verse is probably the leading candidate, but it may be unlikely for an FSU pass rusher to bust onto the scene the way Johnson did last year. Still, the position doesn't have to be a liability. It will simply be more of a committee approach when it comes to rushing the passer.
Nevertheless, the pass rush appears to be the biggest question mark for the FSU defense entering 2022. McLendon, Briggs or others could find themselves eclipsing the 5-sack range this season. If the defensive tackles can each register a couple, the drop-off likely won't be that large.
Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike's work by liking his Facebook page.
