#7 – Christian Jones
(Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)
Christian Jones is a 6’4″ 235 lbs linebacker out of Winter Park, FL. Jones heads into the season as the leader of the 2013 defense. As a freshman in 2010, he played in all 14 games mostly in a special teams role. He finished the season with 18 tackles but showed the athleticism and promise of his 5* rating out of high school. As a sophomore in 2011 he played strongside linebacker and finished second on the team with 56 tackles and 3 sacks. Last season, Jones moved to weakside linebacker and starred at that position. He finished the season as the team’s leading tackler with 95 stops, had 7 tackles for loss and also had the lone defensive touchdown of the season on a fumble return against South Floirda. As he moves to middle linebacker this season in Jeremy Pruitt’s defense, Jones has revieved national attention for his play making the watch lists of the Butkus, Bednarik, and Nagurski Awards. Seminole fans will most likely see Jones take on a bit more pass rushing this season. His size, speed, and quickness make him a very versatile player for the Noles.
#7 – Mario Pender
(US Presswire)
Mario Pender is a 5’10” 192 running back out of Cape Coral, FL. Pender came into Florida State with a lot of hype as an explosive 4* running back in the 2012 recruiting class. An injury sidelined him for the 2012 season, however, so Nole fans haven’t had a chance to see Pender carry the ball yet for the Noles. While Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr are the undisputed 1a and 1b in the running game this year, Pender should be able to provide a spark off the bench. He has a greater top end speed and burst that the starters for FSU lack and should be able to give the Noles a home run threat off the bench.
Buster Davis
(www.seminoles.com)
Buster Davis was a 5’10” 240 lbs linebacker out of Daytona Beach, FL. Davis was a 4 year letterman and 3 year starter for the Noles from 2002-06. In 2003, he played in 7 games registering just 5 tackles in a reserve role. He became a starter in 2004, though, and had an excellent season finishing with 60 tackles and 8 tackles for loss. Davis increased his totals again while having a very good season in 2005 91 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. On the year he had 6 games with 10 or more tackles including ending the season with 3 straight double figure tackles against Florida, Virginia Tech, and Penn State. He capped off his career in 2006 being named to several All-American teams, including 1st Team by the American Football Coaches Association. In that season, he led the Seminoles with 109 tackles (30 tackles more than the second tackler). He was excellent in pursuing the ball from sideline to sideline. Davis added 8 tackles for loss and also had 5 sacks on the season.
Davis was drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He ended up with the Detroit Lions in 2007 appearing in 2 games and the following season appeared in 6 games with the Indianapolis Colts.
7
Mike Smith (79, 80)
Mike Rendina (81, 82)
Barry Barco (83, 84, 85)
Ronald Lewis (86, 87, 88, 89)
Eric Turral (90, 91)
Aaron Dely (92, 93, 94, 95)
Billy Brown (95)
Germaine Stringer (96)
Laveranues Coles (97, 98, 99)
Rufus Brown (99, 00, 01, 02, 03)
Buster Davis (04, 05, 06)
Marcus Ball (07)
Christian Ponder (08, 09, 10)
Christian Jones (10, 11,12)