Jared Shanker, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Florida State's Jalen Ramsey excelling in Lamarcus Joyner's former role

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- NC State was driving and on the cusp of cutting Florida State’s fourth-quarter lead to a field goal. Jacoby Brissett, who had carved up the top-ranked Seminoles all afternoon, had the Wolfpack at the Florida State 13-yard line with more than enough time to score again, keeping NC State’s upset hopes alive.

That's when a 6-foot-1, 204-pound defensive back took on the former role of a 5-foot-8, 180-pound defensive back, who, despite his lack of size, was the quintessential edge blitzer -- full of heart and unbridled willpower. Sophomore Jalen Ramsey looked like Lamarcus Joyner, a Florida State star who graduated after last season.

“You just don’t see a guy [Ramsey’s] size that has his burst,” Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said.

Ramsey fired off the offense’s left edge, and a confused offensive line allowed the second-year starter to match one-on-one with a running back. He dipped his shoulder, pushed through the off-balance blocker and stripped Brissett as he prepared to unload a pass.

It was the sack-strip combination that was reminiscent of Joyner’s time at Florida State. As a senior in 2013, Joyner led the team with 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Joyner’s tackles-per-game and fumbles-per-game averages last season are similar to what Ramsey has done through four games in 2014. Ramsey is not as proficient at blitzing yet, but even that resembles a young Joyner, said Fisher.

“Joyner, he would miss tackles sometimes because he was so reckless, especially early in his career, because he played so hard. Jalen’s a little bit like him,” Fisher said. “[Ramsey] can clean up a little bit tackling, and I don’t mean that as criticism. He gets there so fast and he is so athletic. He could have had a couple more sacks on the day, but I think he is doing a great job with providing pressure off the edge, and covering in the slot with his length and size and playing the run. He can close on the ball.

“I think he has the chance to be a heckuva nickel now.”

The tackling issue is not specific to just Ramsey. Missed tackles have been an issue for the Seminoles all season, but there were more than 30 missed tackles against NC State, which Fisher deemed “inexcusable.” He said it was the most missed tackles he has seen in a game since becoming head coach in 2010.

“"Guys just want to sometimes do their own thing and dive in there and try and cut them down. You just have to keep your eyes up,” said safety Tyler Hunter, who was one of FSU’s defensive players of the game Saturday. “… I'm telling guys just to work on the fundamentals, telling them on the sideline what they needed to do, then going out and thinking they're going to do it. Sometimes it's in one ear and out the other."

On Tuesday, however, Fisher called Florida State’s practices one of the best he’s seen this season. The Seminoles spent extra time Monday and Tuesday practicing tackling. With Saturday's opponent Wake Forest providing little offensive threat, it’s an opportune time for Florida State to work on tackling basics.

There has not been any living hitting or tackling to ground, but the Seminoles are practicing “thudding,” the act of wrapping up a ball carrier or receiver but keeping him upright.

Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. and linebacker Ukeme Eligwe are expected to return against Wake Forest, and veterans Eddie Goldman, Derrick Mitchell Jr. and Terrance Smith were all banged up against NC State. Fisher believes the health of his team played a role in the missed tackles, too.

“We had a lot of space-tackling drills, guys moving better, stepping on toes, and had some guys not as healthy in that game that I think will be healthier in this game,” Fisher said Tuesday.

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