TALLAHASSEE — Florida State’s linebackers have been a bright spot in what has been an underwhelming start for the defense. The Seminoles face their toughest test at No. 10 Alabama on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, and they will have to do so short-handed.
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Coach Mike Norvell announced that senior Blake Nichelson as well as freshmen Izayia Williams and Daylen Green will be out against the Crimson Tide. Norvell said Nichelson will be out “an extended period of time,” while Williams and Green are out for the season.
FSU’s new-look linebacker group has taken steps forward, benefiting from an infusion of transfer options. Southern Miss transfer Chris Jones is tied for the team lead with 15 tackles and has three quarterback hurries. North Carolina transfer Mikai Gbayor filled in for Nichelson in the 27-24 loss to SMU on Sept. 7, and he now has seven tackles and a sack in two games.
Caleb LaVallee, who transferred from UNC but missed all of 2025 due to injury, had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup on the same possession against the Mustangs.
“I think this is one of the benefits of what we have with this defense and with this team is the depth in the room,” linebackers coach Ernie Sims Jr. said. “We brought in some guys in the offseason that we feel very confident about, and lo and behold it’s paying off for us. We got some guys we feel confident about even though we had some guys that went down.”
Omar Graham Jr., who has been at FSU since 2022, also has 11 tackles. The rotation becomes tougher without Nichelson and the freshmen, and it becomes a key storyline as the Seminoles face an improved Alabama rushing attack, as well as mobile quarterback Keelon Russell.
The Crimson Tide have 382 rushing yards and are 48th in the FBS in rush offense. Alabama had 155 yards on 40 carries (3.9 yards per rush) at Kentucky. A year ago, they were 125th with just 1,562 rushing yards although they did have 21 rushing touchdowns (tied 63rd).
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Alabama features Daniel Hill, a 6-foot-1, 234-pound back who has 27 carries for 151 yards (5.6-yard average).
Russell has started just two games in his second year of college football, but he has already shown a propensity to evade pressure in the pocket.
“He puts strain on every single position,” Sims Jr. said. “Defensive line, how do we control the rushes? How do we keep him in the pocket? How do we not allow him to do what he does best? Run.
“He has the ability to be that plus-1 player. He’s challenging. You have to be very detailed with your game plan with him.”
FSU (1-1) has not won on the road since November 2023 against another SEC team, Florida.
FSU honors Hall of Fame class on Sept. 26
FSU will host Central Arkansas, Norvell’s alma mater, at 3 p.m. on Sept. 26 (ACC Network). The school will recognize its 2026 FSU Athletics Hall of Fame class, including tight end Nick O’Leary, defensive end Bjoern Werner and left-hander Sean Gilmartin. Longtime athletics director Dave Hart will also be honored.
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