FSU Seminoles

Throughout the summer, Nole Nation will be counting down the 40 players we're projecting to make the biggest impact on the Seminoles' 2013 season, taking into consideration everything from experience to potential to their spot on the current depth chart.

Next up: No. 39 Nile Lawrence-Stample

Position/Class: Defensive tackle/redshirt sophomore

What he's done: After redshirting in 2011, Lawrence-Stample showed flashes of his potential in 2012. A victim of a numbers game as much as anything, he played in just eight games and recorded 10 tackles -- including a career-high four against Boston College. But all that time in the shadows of his more established teammates on the interior line only served to hide the progress he was making. Lawrence-Stample enjoyed a breakout performance in FSU's spring game, recording nine tackles, including four for a loss.

Where he's at: All those big numbers from FSU's spring game certainly managed to open some eyes within the fan base, but it's still a question as to how much it helped Lawrence-Stample climb his way up the depth chart. He remains solidly behind more established veterans such as Timmy Jernigan and Demonte McAllister, and he has ample competition from youngsters such as Eddie Goldman and Derrick Mitchell. But Lawrence-Stample's spring at least opens the door to a more intriguing fall camp.

What's to come: The numbers still don't favor Lawrence-Stample taking a major step forward in 2013, as Florida State is well stocked at defensive tackle. But while was destined for the margins of the Seminoles' roster in 2012, this year he's shown he can play his way into a larger role. At the conclusion of spring, Jimbo Fisher raved that no defensive lineman had made more progress than Lawrence-Stample, and if that trend continues into the fall, new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will find playing time for him regardless of how much talent surrounds him on the depth chart.

When summer workouts began a year ago, players like Menelik Watson, Demonte McAllister and Nick Waisome were flying under the radar with little in the way of expectations. By season's end, however, they were among Florida State's most productive players.

It happens every year that a few relatively obscure names find their way into bigger roles, and as the Seminoles get set to start another summer NoleNation is counting down five under-the-radar players who could be in line for breakthrough seasons.

Next up: Nile Lawrence-Stample

Career arc: A well-regarded recruit, Lawrence-Stample played just one season at defensive tackle in high school. That translated to a slightly steeper learning curve upon arrival at FSU. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2011, and he saw extremely limited playing time in 2012, recording 10 tackles for the season.

Why he's overlooked: Despite losing its two starters, Florida State is still deep at defensive tackle. McAllister and Timmy Jernigan are veterans with solid seasons already under their belt, and they figure to step into starting roles in 2013. Meanwhile, senior Jacobbi McDaniel returns from an injury and highly touted sophomore Eddie Goldman looks to take the next step in his career, pushing both Lawrence-Stample and fellow sophomore Derrick Mitchell to the back of the pack.

Why he'll produce: Earning playing time may still be an uphill battle at a crowded position, but Jimbo Fisher was effusive in his praise of Lawrence-Stample following an impressive spring game performance in which he recorded three sacks. Fisher said no player on FSU's defense improved more over the course of the spring, and at 315 pounds, he could be a force in the middle of the defensive line if an opportunity arises.

Projection: With so much talent surrounding him, it's tough to project a significant role for Lawrence-Stample at the moment, but both Jernigan and McAllister missed significant time this spring with injuries, and Mitchell and McDaniel both have problematic injury histories, too. It's not an ideal way to earn playing time, but as the Seminoles learned at defensive end a year ago, depth on the line is tested often, and Lawrence-Stample's progress in Year 3 offers plenty of reason for optimism.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The halftime speech at NC State was similar to many Jimbo Fisher has given. He pushed his team to come out strong, to drive a dagger through the hearts of the Wolfpack.

Of course, that didn't happen.

But Florida State's slow starts to the second half aren't entirely new. While the Seminoles have been decent enough in the second half, the opening drives of the third quarter have been problematic.

Florida State has received the second-half kickoff in each of its last four games, and it has punted on all four occasions.

“I don’t know what can be changed," EJ Manuel said. "Maybe we come out with some different types of plays, something to get our juices following, get us back moving and gets us back into a rhythm."

Manuel's call for more of an up-tempo approach is reasonable. Of the 16 plays FSU has run on its opening drives of the second half in the last four games, seven were runs. Those plays netted a total of 4 yards, with none going for more than 3.

But the passing game hasn't been significantly better. Manuel has completed just 4 of 9 throws for 40 yards -- the longest a 13-yard reception.

(Read full post)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Rashad Greene will be on the practice field this afternoon as Florida State opens fall camp, but he won't be at full speed for another week after undergoing an appendectomy two weeks ago.

The sophomore receiver was home in Albany, Ga. when he was began experiencing symptoms of appendicitis and was taken to the hospital, head coach Jimbo Fisher said. The appendix never ruptured, so doctors were able to remove it without invasive surgery, and Greene's recovery figures to be brief.

Fisher said Greene, who led Florida State in receiving last season despite missing four games, has been training for the past week after taking a week off from workouts.

"We're going (to be) precautionary ourselves the first week to make sure we don't overload him," Fisher said. "But he's at 70, 75 percent. Two or three practices, maybe a week -- he should be going."

Other notable injuries still lingering from this offseason:

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