The countdown to the 2025 Florida State football season is underway. Ahead of fall camp and FSU’s season opener vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide, we’re taking a look at the Seminoles’ roster, position-by-position. Today, a look at FSU’s linebackers.
If there’s one position on the Florida State defense that has produced as much angst as the offensive line, it might very well be the linebackers.
Lackluster recruiting and production were paved over temporarily in 2022 and 2023 due to the emergence of Kalen
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DeLoach and Tatum Bethune, but like most things, the floor fell through in 2024.
FSU’s scheme change adds even more importance to the position, as the 3-3-5 amps up the need for run fits and pursuit in space, and the Seminoles are hoping that this season has conjured up the right combination of infused and homegrown talent.
FSU position previews: Linebacker
Main name to know
- Redshirt senior Stefon Thompson: Thompson has already played under White for five seasons (four at Syracuse, one at Nebraska), his sixth coming in Tallahassee as the Seminoles make the switch to the 3-3-5. He’ll have the chance to be White’s eyes, ears and brain on the field as the most experienced in the system as one of Mike Norvell’s latest portal rehabilitation projects. Thomas suffered an ACL tear in the 2022 season opener for Syracuse and while he’s had production, he’s only made two starts in the seasons since. He emphasized during spring that he felt confident in where he was health-wise, with Norvell saying that he’s “looking as good as he’s looked throughout his career.”
Returning players
- Junior Justin Cryer: Cryer had a good spring after missing out on the final three games of the 2024 season, looking to push for a starting spot amidst a linebacker group that got an infusion of experience through the portal. Entering into his third year with the Seminoles, Cryer was able to pick up on FSU’s new defensive scheme relatively quickly during the spring which contributed to his already-established status as a vocal leader.
- Redshirt junior Omar Graham Jr.: Another homegrown talent in the linebacker room, Graham Jr. will try to take the next step in his progression — a bet that seems safe after coming on strong in the final half of last season to elevate himself to starter and then thriving during the spring.
- Junior Blake Nichelson: While Nichelson hasn’t quite exactly found his groove, he saw plenty of action last year as he finished second on the team with 52 tackles, starting nine games over the course of the year. His athleticism might be able to be fully tapped into with the installation of White’s defense and will get plenty of burn, even if he isn’t a starter.
- Redshirt freshman Jayden Parrish: The former three-star didn’t see any game action last season, redshirting, and didn’t make too much noise during the spring.
- Redshirt junior AJ Cottrill: The redshirt junior joined the Seminoles as a preferred walk-on in 2022, earning immediate playtime (in a 47-7 season-opening win of Duquesne) as a freshman and then appearing in every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons — though mainly in a special teams capacity, a highlight of which was a blocked punts vs. Duke last season.
New faces
- Senior Elijah Herring: Herring said, “if you can beat them, join them,” coming over from the Memphis Tigers this past offseason after beginning his career with the Tennessee Volunters. He impressed all spring, even with the learning curve of a new scheme, bringing both experience and athleticism that have the defensive staff excited about the possibilities for where they can place him.
- Redshirt sophomore Caleb LaVelle: A North Carolina transfer (whose brother just committed to Florida State), LaVellle missed spring due to injury but had a fantastic showing for the Tar Heels in the Fenway Bowl before entering the portal. Being behind means it’ll be a uphill climb for him in pushing for a starting spot, but he showcased plenty during his redshirt freshman year that would warrant reps for him in 2025.
- Sophomore Amaree Williams: Not a new face to the Seminoles but a new one to the defense, Williams is being included here due to the likelihood of getting reps at the JACK position — a hybrid defensive line/linebacker position.
- Freshman Ethan Pritchard: The only high school linebacker signee for Florida State in its 2025 class, Pritchard was an early enrollee who got his first taste of college football this spring, recording a pick-six in a scrimmage.
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