State of Florida linebackers coach Randy Shannon has different plans for its linebacking corp this season.
The night before the Seminoles’ scrimmage, Shannon told local reporters that his group is expected to learn different linebacker positions. This is different from last year when he wanted them to maintain the same position.
“We have a good rotation right now,” Shannon said. “The guys are getting comfortable with each other. The one thing we can’t do is stereotype someone by thinking, ‘Hey, this is the position you’re going to play.'”
Shannon wants to maximize each player’s abilities. He recalled his time in the NFL and how teams viewed their linebackers, whether they were starters, versatile rotation players or on special teams.
He expects to play his best players, which contributed to him wanting his linebackers to be versatile this season.
“We’re not going to limit anyone in learning and in the process,” Shannon said. “We just need to play with the best. That’s why you need to know multiple ones and make sure you use guys in different positions.”
‘He’s a big but athletic guy’: Randy Shannon likes what he sees in Cam Riley
Auburn transfer Cam Riley has been impressive throughout camp. Shannon is well aware and is excited to compete for the starting linebacker job alongside the returning DJ Lundy.
“He’s a big guy, but he’s athletic,” Shannon described Riley. “He’s not just a pure run defender. He’s a guy who can catch, can get off the edge and can do a lot of good things for us.
Before enrolling at FSU, Riley played four seasons at Auburn. In 46 games played, he recorded 121 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
With his experience in different schemes, Shannon expects Riley to make an immediate impact no matter what play he is being played on.
“Anyone coming to Florida State has to be ready to go. It’s not a deal where, well, you know, we’ll take our time. No, we’re going to throw him to the wolves,” Shannon said.
“I mean, he’s going with both. He’s going with both, and we’re going to feed him because that’s the only thing when a veteran has to feed him everything.”
FSU LB Justin Cryer believes playing in the Orange Bowl is ‘valuable to me’
Second-year linebacker Justin Cryer is in tune with what Shannon expects of him. He took on the challenge of mastering three different linebacker positions after focusing on just one.
“That’s what happened this year, at least in the spring, and I’m having to start figuring it out a little bit,” Cryer said.
“Obviously now we have the younger guys who are understanding the ‘you play at this point, you learn,’ and now we’re playing with them, so that’s something I’ve been working on.”
Shannon has high hopes for Cryer after his freshman year, where he played in 13 games and recorded 12 tackles. Shannon appreciates what Cryer brings to the table as he mentions his high school baseball experience in his home state of Texas. His brother LJ also plays as a linebacker, but for the Houston Cougars.
“The mentality of being physical and tough, you can do a lot of good things with him,” Shannon said of Crier.
Cryer played his best game against Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl last season. He recorded six tackles, which was a season high. O explosion loss to the Bulldogs devastated him, but in hindsight, it made him a better player.
“I was really hurt by that,” Cryer recalled.
“But that experience — I look back on it now — was really valuable to me because I got a chance to play against some guys that are in the NFL. now, it’s really valuable to me.”
As the FSU defense returns seven starters and is active in the transfer portal, the Seminoles are expected to have another big defensive year.
With strength on the defensive line and secondary being the main focus, the linebacker positions seem to be overshadowed. Cryer is not worried, as he has addressed these criticisms.
“It’s kind of hard to deal with, but at the same time, it’s not in our control,” Cryer said.
“Coaches say all the time it’s all about us, and we can’t really worry about that. So I’m the big preacher in the room, as far as people saying it’s not our problem. I just have to go out there and play. Just prove people wrong.
-
August 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon, ESPN
-
September 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
-
September 14 vs. Memphis
-
September 21 vs. California
-
September 28th at SMU
-
Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
-
October 18th at Duke
-
October 26th at (U) Miami
-
November 2 vs. North Carolina
-
November 9th at Notre Dame
-
November 23 vs. Charleston Southern
-
November 30: Florida
-
December 7: ACC Championship
AUDACIOUS = ACC
* = Neutral Location
covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him by email at PHolland@Gannett.com or at X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat: FSU coach Randy Shannon expects linebackers to know multiple roles
