The 2025 season is over for Florida State football, and while the overall record has improved, the results have still been below expectations for the Seminoles. Head coach Mike Norvell’s success next season will depend on how he and his staff manage the roster, which could save his job or end his troubled tenure in Tallahassee. How did each position group perform last season, and what does the future hold?
Florida State’s defensive line may be the most disappointing of the 2-10 teams in 2024 — and that’s saying a lot. In an effort to overhaul the room, the Seminoles spent the offseason and year going out of their way to improve, hiring a new coach, participating in a heavy transfer portal class and allowing freshmen to get playing time early.
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But how much will these changes improve the defensive line?
2025 Florida State defensive line: PFF grades
Defense ranks 59th: 90.7 run defense, 68.5 pass rush, 31 sacks
Top six players by snap
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Darrell Jackson Jr.: Overall grade: 74.6, run defense 84.1, pass rush 57.7
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Daniel Lyons: 72.7 overall grade, 75.2 run defense, 61.9 pass rush
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Mandrell’s wish: Overall grade: 61.0, run defense 52.5, pass rush 69.7
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Daryl wishes: 67.9 overall grade, 62.9 run defense, 68.5 pass rush
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Deante McCray: Overall grade: 73.1, run defense 75.3, pass rush 63.7
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Jason Jenkins: Overall grade of 61.3, run defense 55.1, pass rush 68.3
2024 Florida State defensive line: PFF grades
No. 107 defense: 70.0 run defense, 68.3 pass rush, 27 sacks
Top six players by snap
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Patrick Payton: 58.0 overall grade, 59.5 run defense, 61.2 pass rush
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Joshua Farmer: Overall grade of 63.5, run defense 61.0, pass rush 71.4
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Darrell Jackson Jr.: Overall grade: 70.4, run defense 68.0, pass rush 72.3
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Sione Lolohia: Overall grade of 67.2, run defense 72.7, pass rush 59.3
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Marvin Jones Jr.: Overall grade of 61.5, run defense 62.8, pass rush 59.4
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Daniel Lyons: 67.0 overall grade, 67.1 run defense, 60.8 pass rush
Florida State is much improved from where it was in 2024, but it felt like there was a lot to be desired throughout the 2025 season. James Williams entered spring ball as one of the most highly regarded players on the roster, but wasn’t in the top six in terms of steals share. Darrell Jackson Jr. returned for another season but showed little improvement. The defense can’t be worse than it was in 2024, but that doesn’t make the 2025 unit a formidable force.
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2026 Defensive Line Recruiting
Seminoles added nine defensive linemen in the 2026 class – from our very own NoleThru and Thru:
Terrance Knighton has been my biggest disappointment during the recruiting process leading up to the 2025 season. That said, FSU was able to land some good prospects on the defensive line in a variety of ways (I’m including edge rushers in this section). FSU did lose two DL commitments in Tico Crittendon and James Carrington (a little less injured) and was primarily upset with Kamron Wilson.
Retaining Ernest Rankins is a huge win for the team, as he should be a good post player who can be rotated in sooner or later. The Seminoles also won the Franklin Whitley sweepstakes, a prospect who made significant moves up the recruiting rankings and on boards at some major programs. He’s still very green, but has perhaps the highest ceiling of any player signed in Tribes 2026. Damard Lewis, Chris Cabin and Vitley Cardo could be solid rotation pieces, while FSU optioned Judah Daniels and Luke Francis (who could find homes on offense). Florida State has some big-name players in the Outback, but the Seminoles either can’t afford them or can’t maintain interest after another bad season.
Jalen Anderson was the top edge rusher on the JUCO ranks, and despite interest from other programs, he stayed at FSU (although in my opinion, that’s where he would have gone if LSU had pushed for him). He should be an immediate contributor. Jaemin Pinckney has been a nice transition after the USF coach left for Auburn. He has a nice frame and should be able to add enough weight to make an impact. Florida State also has Cam Brooks in trouble after a coaching change at Cal. Brooks specifically criticized Knighton earlier this season for not caring enough about recruiting him. It will be interesting to see how things go.
I’ve always been a proponent of big prep and JUCO classes on both the offensive and defensive lines, and FSU has put in the effort on both sides this cycle. Anderson should find his way into the fringe rotation soon, and a few others may be able to find some reps this season. Overall, a solid effort.
Grade: B
Estimated depth in 2026
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Redshirt junior Daniel Lyons
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redshirt junior Deante McCray
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Redshirt sophomore KJ Sampson
Outlook 2026
There will be a ton of moving players on the defensive line this offseason, both transfers and transfers, but the first and most important question about the room, and possibly the team, comes from whether Florida State can retain the Desir brothers. On a team filled with disappointments, the true freshman is one of the few bright spots and should have a big role in 2026. Along with the Desir brothers, retaining Kevin Wynn and keeping him healthy this offseason will be crucial to building homegrown depth. However, even with all three players back, Florida State will almost certainly have to make multiple moves along the defensive front because the pipeline of young talent is thin and the older players aren’t performing to expectations.