FSU Football Spring Cornerback Preview: Talent-Rich And Ready To Turn Heads

With a lot of returning talent and a few skilled newcomers, the cornerback room appears to be in steady hands entering the spring.

Florida State is coming off one of its best seasons in program history. An undefeated regular season and an ACC Championship have provided plenty of momentum for the Seminoles for the foreseeable future. 

FSU has had stellar defensive back play throughout history consisting of Deion Sanders, Terrell Buckley, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, and more.

FSU Football Spring Defensive End Preview: Strength In Numbers Off The Edge

However, the cyclical nature of collegiate sports has seen stellar defensive backs leave the program after the 2023 season, as well as gain some potential stars.

Departures:

Renardo Green (NFL) and Jarrian Jones (NFL)

Green and Jones were pivotal starters for the Seminoles over the past few years and both turned in productive senior campaigns. Green totaled 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 13 pass deflections, and an interception while being named Second-Team All-ACC. Jones was a conference honorable mention after recording a career-high 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.

Returners:

Redshirt senior Greedy Vance, redshirt senior Fentrell Cypress II, senior Kevin Knowles II, junior Azareye'h Thomas, sophomore Quindarrius Jones, redshirt freshman Edwin Joseph, and redshirt freshman Ja'Bril Rawls

Vance made an immediate impact in 2022 with three interceptions and five passes defended. He continued that trend in 2023 with another interception four passes defended and 18 total tackles.

Cypress II recorded 40 tackles, eight pass breakups, and a forced fumble (that flipped the momentum in the Pitt game on the road) that resulted in a touchback. Cypress II was often left alone in one-on-one coverage, especially early in the season as it allowed FSU to add another player in the box to either stop the run or get an extra pass rusher. He started in all 14 games.

Knowles is a key returner at the nickel position who has reliably provided tackles and pass breakups when necessary. With 31 tackles and three pass breakups in 2023, he will look to compete for the starting position after playing a role at safety last year.

Thomas made a name for himself last season. Despite his only one start occurring in the Orange Bowl against Georgia, he recorded 10 pass breakups and 29 tackles with a forced fumble to go alongside it. Thomas interestingly grabbed his first-ever interception against Miami in 2022.

Jones spent most of his true freshman season on the fringe of a deep cornerback rotation. He earned valuable experience and displayed a ton of promising potential. The long and lengthy defender could make a name for himself during spring practice.

Rawls contributed to Florida State's scout team while taking steps in his development last season. He made a couple of big plays in practice throughout the season. A gritty competitor, don't count him out despite the talent returning and coming in.

Joseph played in four games prior to suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery. He'll be working his way back while trying to establish him at nickel behind a group of players with a ton of experience at the college level.

Florida State returns 114 tackles (57.9%), 7.5 tackles for loss (50%), 0.5 sacks (25%), 27 pass deflections (62.8%), one interception (20%), and two forced fumbles (66.7%) from its cornerbacks that suited up in 2023.

New Additions:

Alabama transfer Earl Little Jr., four-star Charles Lester III, four-star Cai Bates, and four-star Jamari Howard

Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Little Jr. was convinced to leave the state of Florida by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. There he played in 11 games and recorded two tackles. Coming out of high school, the Crimson Tide transfer was the fifth-ranked cornerback in the country (On3) and the eighth-best prospect in the state of Florida. He was ranked a four-star recruit both as a high school and transfer prospect by 247Sports.

Lester, the four-star recruit from Sarasota, stayed within the Sunshine State and joined Tribe 24 as one of - if not - the marquee signings of the high school class. He was ranked a top-four cornerback by On3 and 247Sports.

Bates is another true freshman defensive back who enrolled early. The West Orlando prospect was ranked as a top-10 cornerback and the player 87th nationally by 247Sports and will look to compete for snaps both in the spring and the fall.

Howard is one of the most interesting new pieces on FSU's roster. The All-American Bowl Participant was ranked as a top-100 prospect in the country by 247Sports and was also declared the 7th-ranked cornerback recruit nationally. During his high school days, Howard ran track and returned punts as well.

Projected Depth Chart:

Boundary Corner:

1. Azareye'h Thomas, Jr.

2. Ja'Bril Rawls, RS Fr.

3. Charles Lester III, Fr./Cai Bates, Fr.

Field Corner:

1. Fentrell Cypress II, RS Sr.

2. Quindarrius Jones, So.

3. Jamari Howard, Fr.

Nickel:

1. Greedy Vance, RS Sr./Earl Little Jr., RS So.

2. Kevin Knowles, RS Sr.

3. Edwin Joseph, RS Fr.

Spring Outlook:

With a lot of returning talent and a few skilled newcomers, the cornerback room appears to be in steady hands entering the spring. There's enough experience and promise left in the cupboard where there shouldn't be a major drop-off despite the losses of a pair of multi-year starters. 

It'll be important for Cypress and Thomas to be the leaders of the pack as spring practice begins. Vance and Knowles have plenty of experience in the system while the coaching staff hopes that Earl Little Jr. will begin to make a resurgence after transferring in from Alabama. If Little Jr. realizes his potential, he could instantly slide into the open spot at nickel cornerback.

There is plenty of youth but Jones and Rawls have already gotten a taste of the action. Jones, in particular, could end up being one of the rising stars on the team if he continues to take incremental steps in his development. Lester and Bates joined the Seminoles for the Orange Bowl and were able to get involved in practice while Howard is a top-100 prospect who signed with the program in December. The trio of freshmen are talented enough to instantly jump into the mix if there are veterans who don't live up to their roles.

Regardless, defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. has plenty to work with as he begins his second season with the Seminoles.

Previous Spring Position Previews:

— Quarterbacks

— Running Backs

— Wide Receivers

— Tight Ends

— Offensive Line

— Defensive Ends

— Defensive Tackles

— Linebackers

---

READ MORE: Jordan Travis Endorses Former Five-Star Prospect After First Season With FSU Football

Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the offseason.

Follow NoleGameday on Twitter and Facebook