Breaking down snap counts, stats for Florida State freshmen who played vs. Southern Miss

Florida State’s 66-13 blowout of Southern Miss this weekend brought a great opportunity to play a lot of freshmen and redshirt freshmen.

Because of the high-profile nature of the Seminoles’ season opener against LSU, there weren’t as many chances for those youngest players to get on the field. But that changed in a big way against Southern Miss.

Overall, FSU coach Mike Norvell played more than 30 freshmen and redshirt freshmen in the game — with many seeing the first game action of their college careers.

“It great to be able to have an opportunity to do that,” Norvell said. “To see guys in the moment, with what their responsibility is, with what their assignment is, how comfortable they are in communication, and then overall the execution. … As we go through the season, I am fully expecting that our true freshmen are going to be great contributors throughout the course of this year.”

Florida State’s veteran players, including senior linebacker Kalen DeLoach, also loved seeing their youngest teammates get real game action.

“It prepares you for when your time comes,” DeLoach said. “I want all our young guys to get reps … the game is faster compared to high school. So for the young guys, I feel like they did a good job tonight.”

Here is a look at how much playing time each of the freshmen and redshirt freshmen got on Saturday, and how they produced. The snap counts are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Florida State freshmen on offense

Freshman quarterback Brock Glenn played three snaps. He did not have a passing attempt, but he did run the ball two times for 32 yards.

Redshirt freshman quarterback AJ Duffy played five snaps. He also didn’t throw the ball, but had three carries for five yards.

Redshirt freshman running back Rodney Hill, who has played in both games, carried the ball five times for 31 yards against Southern Miss. He played 13 snaps on offense and five on special teams.

Freshman wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs played 12 snaps. He was the only freshman to record a touchdown grab; it came on a 13-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Hykeem Williams, who also saw action against LSU, played 22 snaps and had his first reception as a Seminoles. It went for nine yards.

Freshman wide receiver Destyn Hill was one of the most active newcomers Saturday night with 27 snaps. He also had his first reception as a ‘Nole for 18 yards.

The last freshman receiver to get on the field was Goldie Lawrence. He played five snaps, all in the slot.

Redshirt freshman lineman Qae’shon Sapp and true freshman Andre Otto got into the game for five plays each.

Redshirt freshmen Julian Armella and Jaylen Early saw 13 snaps each on the offensive line. Early also saw three more plays on special teams.

Redshirt freshman OL Kanaya Charlton and classmate Daughtry Richardson each played five total snaps.

Redshirt freshman tight end Jerrale Powers saw seven snaps on offense and three on special teams.

Florida State freshmen on defense

Freshman safety Conrad Hussey saw more snaps than any other first-year player with 38 overall and 33 on defense; five snaps came on special teams. He also was credited with two tackles and a pass break-up.

Freshman safety KJ Kirkland saw 14 snaps on defense and 10 on special teams. He totaled two tackles in that time.

Freshman cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls saw 19 snaps, with 2 of them coming on special teams. Rawls had one tackle on the night.

JUCO transfer and redshirt freshman Ashlynd Barker, who has played in both games, saw 34 snaps against Southern Miss; 22 on defense and 12 on special teams.

Freshman defensive back Edwin Joseph saw 33 snaps, including two on special teams. He was credited with a pass breakup in his time on the field.

Freshman cornerback Quindarrius Jones saw 35 snaps, with four of them on special teams. He had two tackles on the night.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Omar Graham Jr., who is part of the main LB rotation, saw the field for 16 plays and recorded one tackle.

Freshman linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner saw the field for three snaps on defense.

Fellow freshman linebacker DeMarco Ward was in the game for 17 snaps, with two of them being on special teams. He was credited with three tackles.

Northwestern transfer and freshman linebacker Justin Cryer saw the field for 10 plays.

Freshman LB Blake Nichelson saw the field for 31 plays, with six of them being on special teams. He recorded a team-high five tackles..

Freshman DL K.J. Sampson saw the field for 13 snaps — 11 on defense and two on special teams. He had one quarterback hurry in that time.

Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Daniel Lyons saw the field for 19 plays, including three on special teams. He totaled one tackle.

Redshirt freshman DE Dante Anderson saw 20 snaps with one tackle, and redshirt freshman DT Ayobami Tifase played 10 reps, including one on an extra point.

Walk-on linebacker AJ Cottril, a redshirt freshman, also recorded two tackles in 13 snaps. And walk-on DL Grant Fielder recorded one tackle on seven snaps on defense.

Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.

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