FSU Seminoles: Davarez Bryant
Now that national signing day is behind us, NoleNation takes a closer look at the next crop of Seminoles.
Vitals: Defensive end Davarez Bryant (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach), 6-foot-4, 245 pounds
Vitals: Defensive end Davarez Bryant (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach), 6-foot-4, 245 pounds
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From the impending quarterback competition to finding replacements for departing juniors, Jimbo Fisher will have his work cut out for him during the next few months as he lays the groundwork for 2013.
With that in mind, we're going to go position-by-position looking at Florida State's strengths and weaknesses as the Seminoles prepare for the start of spring practice.
Previous entires can be found here.
Next up: Defensive Ends
2012 recap: Once again, Florida State's defense was among the best in the country, and once again the success started with the pass-rushers up front. Even after Brandon Jenkins went down in the opener with a foot injury, FSU's dynamic pass rush exceeded expectations, with Cornellius Carradine stepping up to provide 80 tackles and 11 sacks before a season-ending injury of his own, while Bjoern Werner established himself as one of the country's best players, recording 13 sacks, 18 TFLs and 8 pass breakups. Mario Edwards Jr. came on late to showcase his skill set, too, finishing with 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks despite limited playing time.
Departures: Few teams in the nation will lose more talent at one position that FSU does at defensive end. Had injuries not sidetracked Carradine and Jenkins -- hurting their draft prospects in the process -- it's possible the Seminoles would've produced three first-round picks just from the defensive end spot alone. As it is, Werner could be the school's highest drafted player in history. Werner, Jenkins and Carradine combined for 25 sacks in 2012 and 62.5 in their careers.
Arrivals: The Seminoles lost virtually all their experienced defensive ends, but they'll bring in a fresh crop of talent for 2013. Chris Casher played in just one game last season before an injury ended his season, but his combination of size and speed make him a dangerous weapon. Demarcus Walker was one of FSU's top recruits, and he's enrolled early this spring. Fellow freshman Davarez Bryant and juco transfer Desmond Hollin will also compete for playing time.
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Bob Donnan/US PresswireMario Edwards Jr. is still raw, but he has proven to be one of the best defensive ends in the nation.
Bob Donnan/US PresswireMario Edwards Jr. is still raw, but he has proven to be one of the best defensive ends in the nation.Previous entires can be found here.
Next up: Defensive Ends
2012 recap: Once again, Florida State's defense was among the best in the country, and once again the success started with the pass-rushers up front. Even after Brandon Jenkins went down in the opener with a foot injury, FSU's dynamic pass rush exceeded expectations, with Cornellius Carradine stepping up to provide 80 tackles and 11 sacks before a season-ending injury of his own, while Bjoern Werner established himself as one of the country's best players, recording 13 sacks, 18 TFLs and 8 pass breakups. Mario Edwards Jr. came on late to showcase his skill set, too, finishing with 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks despite limited playing time.
Departures: Few teams in the nation will lose more talent at one position that FSU does at defensive end. Had injuries not sidetracked Carradine and Jenkins -- hurting their draft prospects in the process -- it's possible the Seminoles would've produced three first-round picks just from the defensive end spot alone. As it is, Werner could be the school's highest drafted player in history. Werner, Jenkins and Carradine combined for 25 sacks in 2012 and 62.5 in their careers.
Arrivals: The Seminoles lost virtually all their experienced defensive ends, but they'll bring in a fresh crop of talent for 2013. Chris Casher played in just one game last season before an injury ended his season, but his combination of size and speed make him a dangerous weapon. Demarcus Walker was one of FSU's top recruits, and he's enrolled early this spring. Fellow freshman Davarez Bryant and juco transfer Desmond Hollin will also compete for playing time.
State of the Noles: Defensive End 
February, 12, 2013
Feb 12
8:00
AM ET
By David Hale & Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
When it comes to recruiting, coaches need to be thinking long-term. It's not just about which holes must be filled immediately, but rather where the needs might be in two or three more years.
With that in mind, NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going position by position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Today, we're looking at one of FSU's most productive positions under Jimbo Fisher: Defensive end.
With that in mind, NoleNation writers David Hale and Corey Dowlar are going position by position, looking at what FSU has on its roster now, and who might provide reinforcements down the line, projecting starters and evaluating the depth through 2015.
Today, we're looking at one of FSU's most productive positions under Jimbo Fisher: Defensive end.
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Florida State's late entrance into the Davarez Bryant (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach) sweepstakes has paid off.
The Seminoles, who offered the three-star defensive end in the final week of January, were able to secure an official visit on Feb. 1. And eventually his commitment.
Defensive end became a position of need for Florida State when Bjoern Werner declared early for the NFL and seniors Brandon Jenkins and Tank Carradine exhausted their eligibility.
To make things a little more dire, ESPN 300 defensive end Davin Bellamy (Chamblee, Ga./Chamblee) decommitted late in the process after assistant coaches Dameyune Craig and D.J. Eliot departed for other jobs.
Bryant was an academic concern initially, but says he is on track to qualify.
The Seminoles, who offered the three-star defensive end in the final week of January, were able to secure an official visit on Feb. 1. And eventually his commitment.
Defensive end became a position of need for Florida State when Bjoern Werner declared early for the NFL and seniors Brandon Jenkins and Tank Carradine exhausted their eligibility.
To make things a little more dire, ESPN 300 defensive end Davin Bellamy (Chamblee, Ga./Chamblee) decommitted late in the process after assistant coaches Dameyune Craig and D.J. Eliot departed for other jobs.
Bryant was an academic concern initially, but says he is on track to qualify.
NoleNation gives its picks for national signing day. Who ends up where?
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DE Bryant recaps official visit to FSU
February, 3, 2013
Feb 3
2:46
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Davarez Bryant (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach) said prior to his visit to Florida State this weekend that he wouldn't be making a decision. He held to that statement leaving the Seminoles' campus undeclared.
But that doesn't mean the defensive end didn't have a good time. In fact, it was much the opposite.
But that doesn't mean the defensive end didn't have a good time. In fact, it was much the opposite.
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After Davin Bellamy (Chamblee, Ga./Chamblee) decommitted from Florida State, the Seminoles needed to find another defensive end to replace him in this recruiting class.
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ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.