​TALLAHASSEE, FL – MARCH 13: Defensive Tackle Daniel Lyons #5 of the Florida State Seminoles works out during Spring Football Practice at the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility on the campus of Florida State University on March 13, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) | Getty Images The offseason, and especially fall camp, cranks the hype machine into overdrive before the season reveals what is real and what is not. This week, the defensive front is at the center of Florida State’s hype, especially after what appeared to be a strong showing in the Noles’ first scrimmage on Tuesday.Here are two glowing quotes from head coach Mike Norvell and defensive coordinator Tony White about the unit in their post-scrimmage availabilities.Norvell: “I mean the (defensive line) is really working. The growth of the Desirs has been outstanding. Just the physical development from where they were a year ago to where they are now. It’s great having ‘Tae Diggs back and seeing Daniel Lyons. Deante McCray had a couple of flash moments. I think that whole group is fighting to emerge.”White: “They’re disruptive. They had a couple of sacks on the night. I don’t know what the stat was, but they had 10 TFLs or something like that. But they’re disruptive, and they’re cutting loose…You see the playmaking and the disruption. Guys are playing fast and are in the backfield. So, it’s fun to watch.”Of course, and this happens at every school, the coaching staff shared positivity. Remember when Norvell said he told Darrell Jackson Jr not to return to school unless he was coming back to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft? He was taken in the fourth round. Or when James Williams’ spoken goal was to be a first-round pick? He is at his third school in three years. How could anyone forget the hype around new defensive line coach Terrance Knighton? The Seminoles hired an EDGE coach, Nick Williams, in the offseason.Along with disappointing individual performances, the unit could be described as inconsistent at best in 2025. FSU finished top 30 in the country in sacks and tackles for loss, and held Alabama to just three yards per carry and less than 100 yards rushing. However, there were obvious lows, such as Florida running a truck through the middle of the defense to the tune of 266 rushing yards for Jaden Baugh.But the past is in the past, and there are reasons to be excited about the group in 2026. From a schematic standpoint, White seems to have the type of player he wants along the defensive front. Daniel Lyons is the only holdover from the DL room under Adam Fuller, compared to five players a season ago that were brought in under the previous defensive administration. Along with having the right archetype for the 3-3-5, seven defensive linemen return from last year, and the expectation is that another year in the system will make it easier to understand the complex nature of White’s defense.“There are more and