Leading The Linebackers: FSU Football's DJ Lundy Assuming Vital Role On Defense

Lundy stuck around with the Seminoles and is seeing his commitment to the program pay off this spring.

Florida State is working towards replacing 11 members of its two-deep on defense this offseason. It won't be an easy task but the Seminoles do have a couple of rising stars on the roster who have been major pieces in the turnaround over the past two seasons.

Rising senior linebacker DJ Lundy nearly departed from Tallahassee for Colorado a few months ago. Ultimately, Lundy decided to stick around - which was a major win for the Seminoles - and totally commit himself to the program. That paid off as the already chiseled linebacker is feeling better than ever before.

It's been evident too as Lundy's explosiveness and ability to move in space have stood out. He's still massive but he's found a weight that allows him to operate at an extremely high level. Lundy is planning to continue his physical transition as he wants to drop to 230 pounds by the preseason.

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"I ain't going to lie, my body now feels better than it's ever been. I don't really get tired no more," Lundy said. "Just being able to play freely and have fun, it's the best feeling ever. Right now, I'm just having fun, communicate, and playing with my brothers."

Lundy is the top returning tackler on the team with 183 total stops in his college career. He's assuming a massive role for the Seminoles both on and off the field in 2024.

Head coach Mike Norvell has liked what he's seen out of Lundy during spring practice. He's the leader of a group that Norvell called one of the "pleasant surprises" of the past few weeks following Florida State's first spring scrimmage.

"I thought DJ Lundy looked like we need him to look," Norvell said. "He was flying all over the field, saw physical plays, he was working in his communication. I'm excited about that group."

With Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune making the leap to the NFL, the leadership role naturally falls on Lundy's shoulders. He's just rolling with the punches and staying within his element rather than switching up his approach.

"I wouldn't say it feels different," Lundy said. "Them boys, they taught me a lot about leadership but now I'm just pushing myself to be the best that I can so it's really coming naturally."

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker feels like rising sophomores Blake Nichelson and Justin Cryer are "light years" ahead of where they were last year. As the elder statesman in the room, he's doing his part to set an example for a unit that doesn't have a ton of on-field experience. Lundy is trying to be there for the younger players so they have someone to lean on.

"I do, definitely. I did that last year too, that ain't nothing new," Lundy said. "I just try to help those guys out because I know they're new coming in and when I was new coming in I wish would've had somebody to help me. So try to be for them what I didn't have."

Lundy was named honorable mention All-ACC this past season after recording 54 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups and an interception. He ranked third on the team in tackles behind DeLoach and Bethune.

The Georgia native is lining himself up for a career year in his last ride with the Seminoles.

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