If FSU football's defense is any good, Justin Cryer, Stefon Thompson must be really good
In defensive coordinator Tony White's new system, the linebacker room will be crucial to defensive success.
It's a position that has been inconsistent in its production in recent seasons, which played its part in linebackers coach Randy Shannon exit as linebacker coach in the offseason. Former special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach John Papuchis is now taking over the linebacker coach role as the Seminoles hit the reset button.
The Seminoles retained key players like Justin Cryer and Blake Nichelson and added transfers Elijah Herring, Caleb LaVallee and Stefon Thompson to the room. Thompson is an important figure, having spent time with White at both Syracuse and Nebraska, making him an on-field coach to help the defense get up to speed with the new 3-3-5.
Last season, the Seminoles ranked 106th in the nation in rushing defense with 184.7 rush yards per game and allowed 7.41 pass yards per attempt, ranked bottom 10 in the nation, and a total of 201.2 passing yards per game.
While neither stats are a sole indictment of the linebackers, inconsistency in performance from that group played its part in the 385.9 yards per game the team allowed opponents last season.
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With new reinforcement and a new system, players are key to the success of the lineabcekrs this season.
Juice Cryer set to emerge as a leader, veteran presence
Cryer gave the Seminoles a flicker of hope defensively last season, and he emerged as an outspoken leader for the group as the season progressed. While a leg injury against North Carolina cut his year short, Cryer is likely poised for a big season in White's defense as he enters his junior season.
He appeared in 13 games in his freshman season and in nine games as a sophomore. He recorded 32 tackles and recovered one fumble prior to his injury last season, with his best game coming against Duke, where he recorded seven total tackles.
In White's defense, Cryer will be moved around in both bringing pressure and coverage. With three linebackers in the traditional 3-3-5 scheme, Cryer could be lined up across the front seven of the defense and be given a more aggressive role after becoming one of the most consistent tacklers last year on a team that struggled to wrap opponents up.
There will be a heavy rotation in the linebacker room, and expect Cryer to make an impact when he's on the field.
Stefon Thompson brings knowledge, confidence in White's system
A transfer that might be one of the most impactful this season, Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in college football, and importantly, with White's defensive schemes.
In his career, the redshirt senior has recorded 199 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks while playing at both Syracuse and Nebraska.
He had a 77.6 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus last season, which would have ranked him highest on FSU's roster last year, and he was a consistent tackler, something the Seminoles desperately needed more of.
Thompson has one year of eligibility left and this could be his most important, and a chance for him to emerge as a veteran leader in the Seminoles' linebacker room.
FSU football 2025 schedule
Aug. 30, Alabama, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, East Texas A&M, Noon
Sept. 20, Kent State, TBA
Sept. 26, at Virginia (Friday), 7 p.m.
Oct. 4, Miami, TBA
Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, TBA
Oct. 18, at Stanford, 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 Wake Forest, TBA
Nov. 8 at Clemson, TBA
Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA
Nov. 21 North Carolina State (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Nov. 29, Florida, TBA
Liam Rooney covers athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football LBs Justin Cryer, Stefon Thompson are crucial to success
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