Florida State Seminoles' Top 10 Players for 2012

With Nigel Bradham departing, the Seminoles are searching for a new leader to emerge in the linebacking corps. Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops won’t have to look far, as Jones is ready for a breakout year after recording 56 tackles, three sacks and forced two fumbles last season. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Jones has the size and speed to be an All-ACC linebacker in 2012.

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It’s not too often a kicker makes a team’s top-10 player list, but Hopkins is one of the best in college football. He has been a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in each of the last two seasons and was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2011. Hopkins has connected on 63 of 82 career field goal attempts, including a 55-yard bomb in 2010.

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The Seminoles are stocked with talent, experience and depth on the interior, but Jernigan – just a sophomore – should be the top defensive tackle for Florida State in 2012. As a true freshman last year, he recorded 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six tackles for a loss. At 6-foot-3, 301 pounds, Jernigan has the strength to hold his own against the run, but also possesses the speed to be a factor when attacking opposing quarterbacks. After a standout freshman season, Jernigan can only get better in 2012.

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An ankle injury in early October derailed Greene from capitalizing off a promising start. Despite being a true freshman last year, Greene became the go-to receiver for quarterbacks EJ Manuel and Clint Trickett, catching 26 passes through the first five games of the season. After missing four contests, he finished the year by recording just 12 grabs over the last four games. Greene should be at full strength this year and will play a key role in the improvement of Florida State’s offense.

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After playing cornerback as a freshman in 2010, Joyner was shifted to safety for 2011. The move was largely due to Florida State’s depth at cornerback, but was an instant success. Joyner recorded 54 stops and one sack, while picking off four passes. He earned second-team All-ACC honors last season and should be one of the best at his position in the conference in 2012. With Joyner back at safety, and Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid returning at cornerback, the Seminoles should have one of college football’s top defensive backfields.

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Reid forms one half of one of college football’s top cornerback duos. He has been a major contributor to the defense in each of his three years on campus, picking off seven passes and recording 120 tackles. Reid also ranks among college football’s most dangerous returners, averaging 12.6 yards per punt return and taking three back for a score. Although Reid doesn’t have elite size, he is a defensive playmaker and should be an All-ACC performer this season.

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Werner came to Florida State via Germany and has quickly become a defensive force for the Seminoles. As a freshman in 2010, he recorded 20 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Last season, Werner benefited some from opposing teams aiming to stop fellow end Brandon Jenkins and finished the year with 37 tackles, seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. The junior will team with Jenkins to form a dangerous pass-rush combination and should be in the mix for first-team All-ACC honors.

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Manuel ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the 2008 signing class, but Florida State is still waiting on him to fully realize his potential. He played well in limited work in 2009 and 2010, which included a start in the Gator Bowl win over West Virginia and playing a majority of the snaps in the Chick-fil-A Bowl victory against South Carolina. Manuel was limited by a shoulder injury last season, but finished with 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns. Although he carries some of the blame for Florida State’s struggles on offense last year, he didn’t have much help from the offensive line and rushing attack. The Seminoles return a deep group of receivers, and as long as Manuel stays healthy, Florida State will be in the mix to win the ACC title.

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After starting all 14 games as a redshirt freshman in 2010 and earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, big things were expected from Rhodes last year. Although he wasn’t bad, Rhodes did not match preseason expectations and decided to turn down the NFL Draft for another season in Tallahassee. At 6-foot-2, the junior has the size to matchup with big receivers, while possessing the ball skills necessary to create turnovers. Although Rhodes had a down 2011 season, look for him to bounce back into All-ACC status in 2012.

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Jenkins didn’t match his numbers from 2010, but remained one of college football’s top defensive ends. After recording 63 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for a loss in 2010, the Tallahassee native’s numbers dipped to 41 tackles and eight sacks last season. He earned All-ACC honors for the second year in a row and is an Athlon third-team All-American for 2012. With Bjoern Werner coming off a solid season at the other end spot, opposing offenses can’t focus too much on Jenkins, which should allow the senior to approach 10 sacks this year.

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