Florida State At Clemson: Three Players to Watch In Death Valley

Who could make a crucial impact for the Seminoles against the Tigers?

Mike Norvell has the Seminoles nearing the mountaintop of the college football landscape, but the path remains an arduous one. Seminoles everywhere took a collective sigh of relief Saturday afternoon after narrowly escaping the Boston College Eagles, but the focus immediately shifted to the matchup on the immediate horizon: an ACC showdown with perennial powerhouse, reigning conference champion, and familiar foe, the Clemson Tigers.

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Florida State had this game circled on their calendars long before the 2023 season commenced because matchups against the Tigers always carry some extra weight. These two programs have produced their fair share of NFL stars, Heisman winners, and Hall of Famers, and the victors of this matchup often go on to secure divisional titles, conference titles, and national championships. Recent history has favored the Tigers, who have defeated the ‘Noles seven straight times. This time around, however, the expectation is drastically different than in years past. For the first time in a long time, FSU will enter Death Valley as slight favorites. For the first time in a long time, the Florida State Seminoles are expected to leave with a victory.

Don’t let the noon start fool you. There is a lot more on the line for these two teams than just a win or a loss, and you can feel the gravity behind Saturday’s contest. Two drastically different cultures; two drastically different coaching styles; two different trajectories; two bitter foes with the same goals of reigning over the ACC and making the College Football Playoff. The storylines write themselves, and there is no shortage of them in this year’s iteration of Clemson versus Florida State.

The stakes are as high as ever, and the Seminoles are on the precipice of being able to make another statement on their way to national prominence. Before that can happen, the ‘Noles will need to do what very few teams have accomplished as of late: Take down Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers in Death Valley.

Let’s take a look at a few key players that could help push the Seminoles over the edge and leave Clemson with a crucial victory. 

1. Jared Verse, Defensive End

We’ve avoided this conversation throughout the first few weeks because it seemed like a given, but after last week’s less-than-stellar performance against Boston College, maybe it’s time we talk about it. Defensive End Jared Verse churned out an All-American and All-ACC performance in 2022, notching 48 tackles, including 17.0 for loss with 9.0 sacks, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and one blocked field goal. Accolades aside, the FSU Defensive MVP shocked the football world when he turned down the promises of last year’s NFL Draft and elected to return to Florida State for another year. Consequently, the hype for Verse’s 2023 season skyrocketed, and so too did the expectations for him.

The excitement surrounding the 2023 Florida State football season was fueled by a few things: a Heisman-hopeful quarterback, a tight-knit culture, and a one-of-a-kind athlete at defensive end. Verse has recorded six total tackles in the season, thus far (3 solo, 3 assisted). More surprisingly, the edge rusher hasn’t recorded a sack after three weeks. The statistics tell a grim story for the acclaimed draft prospect, but statistics don’t always tell the full story. Verse is a force to be reckoned with and he possesses a skill that is nearly unparalleled. Whether it results in something on the score sheet or not, Verse is a constant threat that teams must account for (and they often account for him in the form of an extra man). The statistics will come in due time, and they could very well come against Clemson this weekend.

Florida State’s defensive line struggled to pressure Boston College last week, but I believe the same will not hold true in the matchup against Clemson on Saturday. In fact, the same cannot hold true come Saturday if the Seminoles wish to walk away with their first win against the Tigers in nine years. Clemson running back Will Shipley is as dangerous as ever, carrying the Tiger offense to an average of 216.7 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is slowly coming into his own, and, when given the time and space, he can be a dangerous threat through the air and on the ground. To combat this Clemson backfield, the Seminoles will need Jared Verse to showcase why he’s deserving of the accolades and attention. With a fire lit under him and the biggest stage in college football as his platform, Verse is more than capable of taking over Saturday’s game.

2. Kalen DeLoach, Linebacker

Last week, linebacker Tatum Bethune was featured on our 'There Players to Watch’ headed into the Boston College game, and he did not disappoint. The veteran defenseman made his presence known and continues to impose his will on opposing offenses with power. Bethune, however, has not been alone on his warpath. There has been another high-flying, veteran Seminole linebacker grinding alongside him: senior Kalen DeLoach.

DeLoach has come a long way since his first appearance for the ‘Noles back in 2019. In that time, he has developed into a talented linebacker, a leader of the defense, and an embodiment of what it means to be a Florida State Seminole. Proficient at running sideline to sideline, DeLoach has long been heralded for his speed, which he utilized to fill the stat sheet with 65 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 3 sacks, seven pass breakups and five quarterback hurries after starting all 13 games. He finished the season ranked third on the team for tackles and tackles for loss. He’s an enforcer, a consummate professional, and a de facto leader of this program, and the early weeks of the 2023 season have seen the linebacker take yet another step in his maturation.

Through the first three weeks of the season, DeLoach has emerged as one of FSU’s most consistent performers. He has eclipsed 10 total tackles so far, which ranks as the second highest amongst his team, and he leads the team with 2.5 sacks for a combined loss of 25 yards. Week in and week out, the veteran has proven his ability to deliver, and it’s that consistency that DC Adam Fuller’s defense will lean on against Clemson. DeLoach will undoubtedly be tasked with using his speed to keep tabs on various weapons within the Tiger offense. Look for him to provide pressure, spy on the quarterback, and establish coverage downfield. 

3. Rodney Hill, Running Back

There’s no easy way to slowly transition into talking about the next guy because his transition into a prominent member of the Seminole running back corps has been anything but. Following the departure of Treshaun Ward over the offseason, Redshirt freshman Rodney Hill has stepped into the multi-headed rushing attack and he is performing at the highest level. Through three games, the young back has already eclipsed 100 rushing yards (trailing only Benson for the most on the team, thus far) and averages the highest yards per carry on the team at 6.8 (minimum 10 carries). The only thing Hill has not added to his stat line is a rushing touchdown, but at his current pace, it won’t be long before he finds his way into the end zone. 

Clemson boasts a stingy defense that currently averages 98 rushing yards allowed per game. FSU will need to find some success on the ground to force Clemson’s defense to adapt, and having another threat in the form of Hill takes pressure off of Benson to carry the workload on his own. The Seminoles will have their work cut out for them in the ground game, but keep an eye out for Rodney Hill’s role in that attack. 

Florida State hasn’t beaten the Clemson Tigers in nine years. During that time, Clemson has won two national championships and locked down the ACC throne. This time around, however, the ‘Noles are threatening to reclaim what once was theirs, and most of that hype derives from the sheer level of talent on FSU’s roster. The guys listed above are but a fraction of the performers who will need to showcase their talent. In the words of quarterback Jordan Travis, “Keep the main thing, the main thing.” If Mike Norvell’s squad wishes to accomplish their “main thing” for the 2023 season, they will need each member to do their part come Saturday.

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READ MORE: Florida State's Victory Against Boston College Was One Of Most Watched Games In Week 3

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