Note: Chas asked me to chip in and do a two-Blog series with the FSU Blog ChantRant in anticipation of our ACC opener with Florida State University.  Rich (of ChantRant) and I decided to address what we thought were five major concerns going into the Spring Practices then follow that up with an general article after the practices are over.  I like this format as it aquaints our respective fans with the other team.

FSU’s #5 – Who works where in the secondary?

It has been announced that senior Lamarcus Joyner is moving to cornerback this spring. Conventional thought is that this is to open the door for Karlos Williams (junior) to finally make his mark at safety. This is an interesting move in my mind, though, as cornerback seems to be a more loaded position than safety.

Nick Waisome (junior) and Ronald Darby (soph.) saw extensive action at corner last year performing well, while Tyler Hunter (junior) also saw a good bit of time at nickel back. Hunter in particular is a guy that got work at safety and cornerback and has the ability to play both positions. In addition to Waisome, Darby, and Hunter, highly recruited corner Colin Blake (RS fresh.) will be back from an injured freshman year to compete. Blake was a highly rated CB with great size. Keelin Smith (RS soph.) had Jimbo Fisher singing his praises last fall before the season started.

Throw in Lamarcus Joyner, a fixture in the FSU secondary for several season, and there is an embarrassment of talent at the corner position.

At the safety position Terrence Brooks (senior) returns as the starter at one spot. The position vacated by the potential move of Joyner will be the one to really watch this spring. As I stated at the beginning, it would appear Karlos Williams is the front runner here, but guys like Hunter and PJ Williams (soph.), who impressed in limited action last season, could also see a shot at earning this spot.

Williams was a Top 10 safety out of high school and impressed the coaches enough last season to see the field quite a bit over upperclassman. While I would bet on a tandem of Brooks and Williams, the Noles do have some other potential options that could emerge.

The good news is that for the 4 (or 5 in nickel) positions in the defensive backfield, Florida State returns 6 guys who saw lots of action last season.

by Lilburn Nole for ChantRant.com