D-line expected to help drive success

While the Florida State football team’s revamped offense is getting the most attention, the defensive line could be the driving force behind any success the Seminoles enjoy this season.

All-American defensive tackle Marvin Wilson headlines a veteran group that also features redshirt junior Joshua Kaindoh and redshirt senior Janarius Robinson on the ends with Wilson and junior Robert Cooper in the middle.

“I feel like this defense is going to be great for us especially up front,” said Wilson, who enters the season as the top defender in the conference after leading the FSU in sacks (5.0) despite only playing nine games in 2019 due to injury. “… We’ve had a really good fall camp and we still have a lot of things that we’ve got to get better on but at the same time, I’m very impressed with where we’re at right now going into the season compared to the previous seasons on the D-line.

“I like how we’ve been working and making strides.”

Added Cooper, “I feel like this group can be as good as we want to be. It comes down to who is willing to live up to that potential. If we all do what we’re supposed to do, it’s going to be a good-looking year for us.”

FSU’s defense has a lot of room to improve after the unit finished No. 90 in the nation in total defense and allowed 424 yards per game last season.

The Seminoles lost three starters on the defensive line entering last season, including talented pass rusher Brian Burns, but Wilson’s emergence along with the play of Cooper, Kaindoh and Robinson helped solidify the group before injuries took their toll at the end of the year

Wilson and Cooper, who have 57 appearances combined between them, return to anchor the middle of the line, but unlike last season, the pair will have help. Redshirt junior Cory Durden and redshirt sophomore transfer Fabien Lovett should provide depth at the position. They’ll be joined by sophomore Tru Thompson and redshirt freshman Malcolm Ray.

For coach Mike Norvell, known for leading high scoring offenses, said the defensive tackles are going to play a crucial role for his team this season.

“We need to be strong at the core of our defense,” said Norvell. “When you have a rotation of five or six guys that we feel confident to be able to put in the game, we need to see a relentless effort in every aspect. This needs to be the strength of this team.

“It’s probably the deepest unit that we have on our football team and those guys need to play at a high level.”

Cooper said it’s been great to see the growth from the unit during preseason camp.

“It’s a good thing to knowing that when somebody comes in, you’re going to get the same amount of effort, the same execution and all,” he said.

Defensive line coach Odell Haggins isn’t buying into preseason praise.

“I tell my guys, we’re doers we’re not talkers,” said Haggins. “We’ll see. The season hasn’t started, but we have potential. Potential means you haven’t done it yet. They can be a pretty good group, but they have to put it out there on the field and prove it.”

No need for props

Don’t expect any audacious necklaces, gigantic wrestling belts or flowing capes of any kind on the sidelines this season as the Seminoles look to buck the popular trend of using. props to celebrate a turnover forced by the defense.

“We’re going to have the focus of getting the ball back to the offense as quickly as possible,” Norvell said. “If that’s a three-and-out, that’s celebrated just as good as a takeaway. If we happen to get our hands on the ball on defense or special teams, that is something that is going to be celebrated and cheered for, but we don’t need props.”

COVID-19 impacts travel plans

Football programs across the country are looking at how they do everything due to the coronavirus pandemic. That includes travel.

Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins said the difference between how his team will manage travel this season as compared to last is “night and day.”

“The attention to detail … the things that we’ve done to make sure we have the most efficient process possible,” Collins said when asked about the team’s trip to Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles Saturday. “To make sure we’ve got the flow in-and-out of our locker rooms. Even the flow to and from the games.”

Collins said one noticeable change is that his players are no longer sharing hotel rooms on road trips, with each player getting a separate room.

The Yellow Jackets also are adjusting transportation plans.

“One of the biggest things we’re doing is we’re going to have an NFLstyle flow to the stadium,” Collins said ahead of the matchup with the Seminoles that kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and will air on ABC. “An early bus, middle bus and late bus to get over to the game, so they’ll flow into the locker room more efficiently, flow out onto the field for pre-pre-pregame, so the spacing piece will be there.

“[It’s about creating the] most efficient and safest environment possible for the guys and the staff.”