Redshirt sophomore linebacker to miss 2022 season

The Seminoles lose another player for the year.

Florida State is just three days away from kicking off its season against the Duquesne Dukes. On Wednesday, the Seminoles held their final open practice before the action officially begins on Saturday. The team is relatively healthy following a physical preseason that concluded last week. However, there will be a few players that are unable to suit up this weekend due to injury.

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Following practice, head coach Mike Norvell informed the media that redshirt sophomore linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. will be forced to miss the year due to an injury. Dix Jr. is the third Seminole to be lost for the season, joining center Kayden Lyles and running back CJ Campbell on the sidelines.

"I do want to make an announcement today. Unfortunately, Stephen Dix is going to be out for the year. Stephen's been a great player and teammate in regards to the things that he's had to go through and the things that he's had to do to work and really respond to a lot of adversity that's shown up over these last few years," Norvell said on Wednesday. "Played a ton as a true freshman, last year was more in a limited role but I really like the growth that I've seen. Unfortunately, he's not gonna be available for this year due to injury. It's one of those things that's just a part of the game. Definitely looking forward to his future."

The Florida native was not spotted among the two-deep when Florida State released its inagural depth chart on Monday. The Seminoles will turn to Tatum Bethune, Kalen DeLoach, DJ Lundy, Amari Gainer, Brendan Gant and others to step up in the absence of Dix Jr.

The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker signed with Florida State as a member of the 2020 class. He started the final five games of his true freshman season, recording 45 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. 

Dix Jr. saw his role in the defense diminish in 2021. He appeared in all 12 games but only recorded 14 tackles and one pass break-up.

There was hope that Dix Jr. would rebound this fall. Instead, his season is over before it even got started.

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