By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Florida State enters this season with considerable talent in the trenches.

While most of Florida State’s off-season talking points center on the quarterback position or the return of record-setting rusher Dalvin Cook, the Seminoles have the potential to be one of college football’s best teams on both sides of the line of scrimmage. With an All-American candidate on each front line, Florida State enters this season with considerable talent in the trenches.

Games are oftentimes won and lost up front; there, FSU expects to be quite successful.

A bevy of of lineup regulars return along the offensive line, most notably reigning ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy award winner Roderick Johnson. At 6’7” with great footwork, Johnson is the prototype on the edge. He might be the game’s best tackle. Mammoth Kareem Are, 6’6”, 334 pounds, sets a physical tone along the interior. Though Are is the lone senior first-teamer, many on the two-deep have played since stepping foot on campus.

The return of defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who turned down the NFL Draft for another year in Tallahassee, gives Florida State one of the nation’s top pass-rushers. Walker recorded 10.5 sacks, five pass break-ups and four forced fumbles a season ago. A healthy Josh Sweat completes a dynamic edge tandem. Ranked as one of the nation’s top recruits for the class of 2015, Sweat overcame injury to come on late last fall. Junior Derrick Nnadi is an active force at tackle.

In addition to the returning production, there should be improved depth on the offensive and defensive lines. ESPN.com ranked the Seminoles’ most recent recruiting class as the best in the country and linemen like Landon Dickerson and Baveon Johnson and Brian Burns and Janarius Robinson are among those who could figure into the front five and four, respectively.

Florida State will be physically tested early as the Seminoles open with Ole Miss in Orlando and play at Louisville 12 days later; the Rebels ranked 8th nationally in tackles for loss last season, while only three power conference teams allowed fewer yards per carry than the Cardinals.

As the Seminoles look for a return to the College Football Playoff, a strong starting point may prove to be the ideal foundation.