FSU enters the spring with four players to feel solid about on the OL: Robert Scott, Dillan Gibbons, Kayden Lyles, and Darius Washington.
Finding a fifth is obviously important, and that’s either going to develop this spring or lead to finding one in the portal.
FSU has a few “wildcard” candidates to pick from.
Transfer Bless Harris is one given that he’s making the jump up from the FCS level, but has the requisite size to help out at tackle.
Another is Thomas Shrader. The interior lineman was on pace to start some as a true freshman, but injuries limited him to one start. And then a major leg injury last spring ended his 2022 campaign before it ever got going. Shrader is working his way back from the injury and should be ready to go by the fall. If healthy, he’s someone who can contend for snaps at guard.
But we’re going with Lloyd Willis because he possesses the rare combination of length and athleticism needed to play left tackle. He came to FSU as a project and is still developing, but there’s a clear upside and the staff does feel good about his skill set. The big unknown for Willis is maturity and whether he can consistently practice at a high level each day. This will be a big spring for Willis to prove himself as he’s entering Year 3 in the program.
If he does take a leap forward and contends to start, that has an important trickle-down effect through the line. It allows Washington to kick into guard. It lets Harris come off the bench as a swing tackle. Maybe it even prevents FSU from having to use an extra scholarship on the OL in the portal.
Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves this early. But the potential for a Willis breakout undoubtedly changes the dynamic of this position group.
