Florida State football, coach Odell Haggins feeling confident about defensive tackle group

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis offered a bold statement while assessing the defense he faces every practice.

“That’s probably the best D-line we will face all year long,” Travis said.

Better than LSU, which features preseason first-team All-SEC edge rusher BJ Ojulari. Better than NC State, which returned a first-team All-ACC defensive tackle from last season in Cory Durden.

And better than Clemson, which has two preseason first-team All-ACC defensive linemen in Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee.

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So given that context, Travis made quite the declaration. And the Seminoles entered the offseason needing to replace stud defensive ends Jermaine Johnson II (ACC Defensive Player of the Year) and Keir Thomas (third-team All-ACC).

Through 17 preseason practices, though, it’s clear that the defensive line will still be one of FSU’s biggest strengths. It’s even more apparent that the deep defensive tackle unit – which is led by veterans Robert Cooper and Fabien Lovett – will be the best position group for the Seminoles.

No unit in practice has been consistently more overmatched than the interior offensive line. The noticeable difference between the two units certainly speaks to how the offensive line has room for improvement. But it also indicates how dominant the defensive tackles could be.

“The D-line is very tough to go against every single day,” Travis said. “A bunch of guys who are fast, strong. Fabien Lovett. You’ve got Coop. You’ve got (defensive end) Jared Verse. I could keep going on.

“Those guys are very talented. It’s a blessing for us that we get to come here and play against these guys every day.

“I feel like a lot of these guys are going to play in the NFL one day, so it’s great for us to be able to compete against them every single day.”

FSU defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins assessed his unit following practice Wednesday. Below is a closer look at the position group.

FSU football position preview: A look at the Seminoles' defensive tackles

Starters Fabien Lovett, Robert Cooper

Entering his 29th season as a member of FSU’s coaching staff, Haggins can’t remember the last time this program had a pair of defensive tackles as seasoned as Cooper and Lovett.

“No, I can’t remember. I haven’t had that in a long time,” Haggins said. “The kids have been developed around here, and then the next thing you know, in three years they are gone to the NFL.

“It’s a blessing. We really think those two guys coming back will help this football team. Not just as football players, but as leaders.”

As fifth-year players, Cooper and Lovett have combined to play 78 games with 52 starts in college. They both earned All-ACC honorable mention recognition last season before deciding to return for another season.

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The 6-foot-2, 335-pound Cooper has significantly grown as a player since coming to campus via the 2018 recruiting class. He once pushed 400 pounds before physically transforming his body. Lovett made an immediate impact after transferring from Mississippi State to FSU before the 2020 season. He garnered the team’s Bobby Bowden Leadership Award last season.

With Cooper and Lovett, the Seminoles feel confident about what they have at defensive tackle. So throughout the preseason, Haggins has been opportunistic about mixing them in with some of the younger players.

“And I did that on purpose,” Haggins said. “A lot of times, you get Fabien and Coop out there first. Sometimes, I’ll put a younger guy in there with Fabien. A younger guy in there with Coop. Let them play. Let them get their confidence. But we want all of them to be able to play any position up front. Versatile.”

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Top backups Malcolm Ray, Jarrett Jackson

FSU’s defensive tackle group looks deep.

So much so that Dennis Briggs Jr. moving to defensive end earlier this offseason hardly hurt the position group’s depth.

Top backups Malcolm Ray and Jarrett Jackson held their own last season. After Briggs suffered a season-ending injury with eight games remaining, Ray and Jackson saw their roles increase. They took advantage of that opportunity.

Below is a closer look at Ray and Jackson.

• Redshirt sophomore Malcolm Ray, 6-2, 285: Ray received at least 29 snaps in seven out of the 10 games he played last season.

And Ray only finished with four fewer tackles than Lovett despite playing a considerably lower number of snaps than him (291 vs. 489). Ray tallied 24 tackles, along with 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.

This season, Ray undoubtedly will be FSU’s best defensive tackle backup. He should easily surpass 300 snaps.

“He is growing as a man,” Lovett said. “He is growing and becoming the player that he needs to be. He’s being more dominant. He’s taking over and doing everything that he needs to. That’s why I have confidence in our second- and third-team. Him, JJ, Josh Farmer, (freshman) Bishop (Thomas) and all of the young guys who are here.”

• Redshirt junior Jarrett Jackson, 6-6, 300: Technique has not always been one of Jackson’s biggest strengths.

The lengthy Jackson even acknowledged that he could play with a better pad level.

“For me, I felt like it was always the little things,” Jackson said. “And that’s what I’m honing in on right now. Now I feel like the sky’s the limit.”

Haggins echoed that sentiment.

Still, FSU relied on Jackson enough last season that he averaged more than 16 snaps per game. So if Jackson can continue to be more technically sound like he has been at times throughout preseason camp, he could earn more of a significant rotational role.

“Jarrett is getting to be pretty good at football,” Haggins said. “He was a good football player, but he’s understanding the technique. He’s becoming a technician. He’s a smart football player. But Jarrett is coming along very well."

Wild card: Joshua Farmer

What Travis said about the defensive line has nothing on the goal redshirt freshman defensive tackle Joshua Farmer set for himself this season.

“Six sacks. At least 15 tackles for a loss,” said the local product from Gadsden County High.

It’s difficult to imagine Farmer having that type of production this season. But his level of confidence is notable after what he has experienced at FSU. The Seminoles listed Farmer at 250 pounds when he signed to their 2021 recruiting class.

Entering preseason camp, Farmer came in at 6-3, 304.

“Very impressive. He’s stronger,” Haggins said. “And believe it or not, he’s faster. Coming from about 260, he’s (304) pounds and faster.

“Josh is a kid who I had to push a lot when he first got here. He really didn’t understand certain things. But also, gaining that extra weight too, that slows you down. But pushing and getting him back.

“And the good thing about it, he has been listening well. I know sometimes, he gets frustrated. But there’s a reason for the fight.”

During the spring, Farmer appeared to carry his drastic weight change well. He has only continued to progress as a player and could crack the rotation this season.

“Josh Farmer in the springtime was looking in the backfield a lot,” Haggins said. “He’s got all of the ability. He’s strong. He’s faster. He’s bigger, believe it or not, at (304) pounds.

“But the thing is, his technique has gotten better. Understanding the defense. Doing the little things right. That’s when the big things happen in games. That’s how you make plays, doing your job.”

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2022 FSU football schedule

Aug. 27: Duquesne, 5 p.m. (ACC Network)

Sept. 4: vs. LSU, New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Sept. 16: at Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 24: Boston College

Oct. 1: Wake Forest

Oct. 8: at N.C. State

Oct. 15: Clemson

Oct. 29: Georgia Tech

Nov. 5: at Miami

Nov. 12: at Syracuse

Nov. 19: Louisiana

Nov. 25: Florida, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football confident in defensive tackles Robert Cooper, Fabien Lovett