Defensive Analysis
The defense should have been more of a killer last year considering all of its experience, but it wasn't all that bad and there won't be much of a drop-off this year even with only four returning starters. All three linebackers have to be replaced, but this is a more talented group with the emergence of A.J. Nicholson and Ernie Sims. The pass defense will be strong if CB Antonio Cromartie plays as expected and the hard-hitting safeties play as well as they did last year. The line could use more tackle depth even though the starters are good at taking the stress off the great ends.
Star of the defense: Senior DE Eric Moore
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior DE Chauncey Davis
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore CB Antonio Cromartie
Best pro prospect: Cromartie
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Moore, 2) LB A.J. Nicholson, 3) LB
Ernie Sims
Strength of the defense: Linebackers
Weakness of the defense: Tackle depth
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Chauncey Davis, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer served as a good reserve on the end making 18 tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for loss in limited action. He's a good pass rusher with good strength coming off the edge.
- Defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley, Jr. - Bunkley hit the weights hard over the last year adding 30 pounds of muscle to get up to 291 pounds. He'll take over on the nose after impressing with a 38 tackle season. He is quick and good at getting into the backfield.
- Defensive tackle Travis Johnson, Sr. - The 290-pound Johnson will take over for Darnell Dockett as the star of the interior with 117 career tackles. He is a great interior pass rusher but isn't nearly in Dockett's class. He'll be a good all-around anchor for the rest of the line to work around.
- Defensive end Eric Moore, Sr. - Moore didn't do too much against the run only making 25 tackles, but he turned into the team's top pass rusher making 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. There are few quicker ACC ends as Moore is able to blow past most tackles if they don't get their hands on him.
Top Backups
- DE Kamerion Wimbley, Jr. - While not a rock against the run, the 228-pound junior if lightning fast on the outside making 38 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a reserve behind Eric Moore. He'll be a pass rushing specialist along with his time in the end rotation.
- DT Charles Howard, Sr. - The 265-pound former end will be used as a quick pass rushing tackle. He's a situational specialist coming up with four sacks and six tackles for loss in his limited role.
The Skinny: Florida State always reloads with talent, but it will be
next to impossible to immediately replace Darnell Dockett, Kevin Emanuel and
Jeff Womble. As always, the Noles are loaded with pass rushers led by All-ACC
star Eric Moore on the end. The tackles have good size, but there's little
developed depth.
Player to keep an eye on: Broderick Bunkley ... Defensive Line Rating: 7
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- A.J. Nicholson, Jr. - The 235-pound Nicholson will take over on the weakside where he should be a terror. He was a tremendous reserve making 55 tackles and got three starts. With more size than former starter Kendyll Pope and just as much range, he'll be in the mix for All-ACC honors.
- Sam McGrew, Jr. - The 226-pound McGrew is a strong run stopper and tough as nails in the middle. He made 19 tackles playing behind Allen Augustin and should end up taking over the starting spot even though Buster Davis is listed as the starter.
- Ernie Sims, Soph. - While not technically a starter, that will change quickly. The 220-pound Sims has cornerback speed and hits like a ton of bricks coming off a 42 tackle true freshman season. He's battling Ray Piquion for the starting spot on the strongside and should end up taking over.
Top Backups
- Buster Davis, Soph. - A reserve on the outside to start off his career, the 248-pound Davis will use his size in the middle. His starting status on the depth chart should quickly change as Sam McGrew should prove to be the stronger run stuffer.
- Ray Piquion, Sr. - Piquion was a good backup behind Michael Boulware on the strongside making 19 tackles. While he has the experience and talent to step in and do a good job, he's buying his time before superstar-in-waiting Ernie Sims takes over. He missed time this spring healing a shoulder problem.
The Skinny: As crazy as this might sound considering all the honors
that last year's linebacking corps received, this group is better. It might
not be this year, but A.J. Nicholson, Sam McGrew and Ernie Sims will eventually
prove to be more productive than Michael Boulware, Allen Augustin and Kendyll
Pope. Buster Davis and Ray Piquion are good enough to be listed as starters
coming out of spring ball. This will be college football's best group of linebackers
in 2005.
Player to keep an eye on: Ernie Sims ... Linebacker Rating: 8
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Bryant McFadden, Sr. - The 6-0, 186-pound senior is a great one-on-one cover-corner and the number one man in the secondary. He has been a consistent tackler with 71 stops in his first three years while improving his pass coverage technique. He broke up nine passes last year but failed to pick one off after intercepting three in 2002.
- Strong safety Jerome Carter, Sr. - The 219-pound Carter hits like a linebacker, but he also covers like one. He has been a top run stopper over the last two seasons making 172 tackles and earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors for his intimidating shots. Now he has to make more plays when the ball is in the air.
- Free safety B.J. Ward, Sr. - Ward is a premier kick blocker with seven over the last two years using his athletic 6-3 frame to get up mostly on field goals. He isn't a bad free safety either making 80 tackles and breaking up six passes last year.
- Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, Soph. - The team's top kickoff returner is also a strong corner ready to take over a starting role after making 19 tackles and picking off a pass as a reserve. He is expected to become a top pro prospect with blazing speed in a 6-3, 197-pound body.
Top Backups
- SS Kyler Hall, Sr. - The top hitting free safety will move over to play behind Jerome Carter at strong safety. Hall has made 73 career tackles and with five broken up passes. While he's a sure tackler, he isn't much in pass coverage.
- CB Leroy Smith, Sr. - Smith is a big-time playmaker who hasn't been able to become a regular starter. He has been a superior reserve and a spot starter with 59 career tackles, four interceptions and 12 broken up passes and led the team with 122 yards after interceptions. He'll play behind Antonio Cromartie on the right side.
The Skinny: The loss of starters Sanford Samuels and Rufus Brown won't
hurt all that much with several senior playmakers and one-day NFL starter
Antonio Cromartie. The pass defense only allowed 212.9 yards per game and
12 touchdowns, and there's no reason to expect a season just as strong out
of this year's secondary.
Player to keep an eye on: Antonio Cromartie ... Secondary Rating: 8
Special Teams
- Placekicker Xavier Beitia, Sr. - Misses against Miami aside, Beitia has been one of the best kickers in college football over the last three seasons hitting 51 of 67 field goals showing tremendous range and consistency. He'll be in the mix for All-ACC honors this season.
- Punter Chris Hall, Jr. - He only got to punt the ball three times last year, but he showed great boom averaging 49.3 yards per kick. He should be a top punter if he can prove he can regularly get the ball inside the 20.
The Skinny: The kicking game will be strong if punter Chris Hall can come through. PK Xavier Beitia is a weapon who can consistently connect from deep. CB Antonio Cromartie averaged a great 23.7 yards per kickoff return, while RB Leon Washington is one of the nation's best punt returners averaging 11.8 yards per try. The coverage units are solid.
Special Teams Rating: 8.5
