Florida State’s defense is heading into fall camp with a lot of moving parts, and Tony White doesn’t have the luxury of easing into it. The Seminoles have less than six weeks before the season opener against New Mexico State, so this preseason is going to matter a whole lot as White sorts through new faces, replacements, and a few spots that still feel wide open.
Up front, some of the picture is clearer than the rest. At defensive tackle, Florida State is leaning hard on Kennedy, who is expected to handle a much bigger role than he has before.
Behind him, Anderson should be in the mix after a solid JUCO season, though consistency remains the big question. Lyons is in the best shape he has been in since arriving at Florida State and made a noticeable jump in the spring, which matters even more now with Darrell Jackson Jr. gone.
Wynn spent the past year changing his body and looks the part physically, and if he starts approaching his ceiling, that could change the middle of the defense in a real way. Sanders is the wild card after missing spring with an injury, which was a key stretch for him as he moves up to the P4 level.
At end, Florida State has a few different ways it can go. Desir and McCray may be the closest thing the Seminoles have to 1A and 1B there.
Desir is coming off an All-American true freshman season, but now opposing offenses will be keying on him. McCray settled in during the spring and should see plenty of snaps.
Rankins and Whitley also made enough of an impression to potentially work into the back end of the rotation. When Florida State wants more size on the edge, Darryll Desir is likely the first option.
Diggs could help in pass-rushing situations, though he is coming off a season-ending neck injury. Graham Jr. trimmed down in the spring and drew praise from the staff; as a veteran entering his fifth season in Tallahassee, the Seminoles already know what he offers.
Williams missed spring but is moving well nearly a year after an ACL injury, and his talent level gives him real room to reshape the room if he stays healthy. Maycock, another true freshman, has the ability to play early.
The linebacker group has its own questions. Jones was one of Florida State’s biggest portal additions and should matter against the run, especially after the defense had trouble finishing tackles late last season.
LaVallee was limited in the spring but should be close to fully healthy when camp opens, and he’ll be part of the rotation. Gbayor and Nichelson are battling for a spot that could stay unsettled for a while; Gbayor missed most of spring but has already produced in White’s system, while Nichelson put together a solid spring but still has to prove he can do it consistently.
Experience gives Gbayor the edge for now.
The secondary has one clear anchor in Rawls, who is expected to be one of the top players on the defense and a major piece of the back end. Another jump from him would put the homegrown talent on NFL radars.
Barker is one of only two returning defenders in the secondary and has improved every year since arriving in Tallahassee. Lester III was on the edge of the rotation last season and likely remains in a similar role in 2026, with Florida State still hoping one of its highest-rated Norvell-era recruits can take off.
The most interesting battle is at the spot opposite Rawls. Jones and Chandler are fighting for that starting job.
Jones, coming off a season-ending injury last fall, stood out during Tour of Duty and spring practice. Chandler arrived from South Alabama after a productive season, but he has also been prone to giving up big plays.
Right now, Jones looks like the safer bet and appears to be on track for a starting role. Another newcomer, Hobbs, is something of a mystery after Notre Dame mostly sat him down following rough outings against Miami and Texas A&M.
He could become a useful rotation player, or younger defenders might pass him by. There are also some younger players moving faster than expected, and the preseason should be a good test for them.
Florida State also has a promising battle at another secondary spot, where Kirkland brings returning experience in the system and Richard Jr. has adapted quickly after jumping from the FCS to the P4 level. No matter who wins that competition, both are expected to play.
Florida State opens the season Saturday, August 29 against New Mexico State in Tallahassee at 7:00 p.m. ET on The CW.
The Seminoles then host SMU on Monday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN before traveling to Alabama on Saturday, September 19 for a 3:30 p.m.
ET kickoff on ABC. The rest of the schedule includes Central Arkansas, Virginia, Louisville, Miami, Clemson, Boston College, Pitt, NC State, and Florida.
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The fit is the part that stands out most. Jones is expected to slide into rover and nickel duties in Tony Whites defense, adding another versatile body to a portal class that has already become a major part of Florida States rebuild. He is one of 24 transfer additions overall and one of seven brought in for the defense, a sign the Seminoles are still shaping this unit with an eye toward both depth and flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Just Made Clear Who Will Set The Tone On Defense
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His offseason standing got another boost with the programs Break the Rock honor, a nod to the leadership and standard-setting that coaches want from their upperclassmen. It fits the way Florida State has described Barker throughout the summer workout period, as someone who sets an example in the room and on the field. For a defense that will lean on experience wherever it can find it, Barkers role looks less like a supporting piece and more like a tone-setter. [Read more 🡒]