Florida State has reached its second bye week with seven games in the books, providing a sample size in which Seminoles have become the most trusted pieces on both sides of the ball.
The distribution is especially noticeable on offense, where four starting offensive linemen have played at least 462 snaps and occupy the top four spots on the roster. Defensively, Florida State has leaned heavily on its secondary, with three defensive backs accounting for the largest workloads.
Here are the five Seminoles who have played the most snaps on offense and defense through seven games, according to PFF.
Offense
5. Ashton Daniels — 454 snaps
Daniels has accounted for every significant quarterback snap while becoming the centerpiece of FSU’s offense. He has thrown for 1,618 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 354 rushing yards and 11 scores, and PFF has graded his work as a runner (78.3) considerably higher than his passing (68.8).
4. Xavier Chaplin — 462 snaps
Chaplin has handled the left tackle position throughout the first seven games and has performed best in the running game. His 72.1 run-blocking grade stands out, although his 59.2 pass-blocking grade and team-high nine penalties have made his overall performance more uneven.
3. André Otto — 462 snaps
Otto has paired durability with some of the strongest play along the offensive front. His 68.1 overall grade leads FSU’s regular offensive linemen, and his 76.8 pass-blocking mark is the best among the four starters atop the snap-count list.
2. Bradyn Welch-Joiner — 462 snaps
Welch-Joiner has provided stability at center while playing virtually every meaningful snap. His 75.4 pass-blocking grade is one of the best marks on FSU’s offensive line, compared with a 65.5 run-blocking grade.
1. Nate Pabst — 464 snaps
Pabst has been FSU’s most-used offensive player, handling 245 pass-blocking snaps and 219 in the running game. The veteran tackle owns nearly identical PFF marks in pass protection (63.8) and run blocking (63.7), reflecting a steady if unspectacular first half of the season.
Defense
5. Daniel Lyons — 317 snaps
Lyons has carried the heaviest workload among FSU’s interior defensive linemen, with 160 snaps against the run and 149 rushing the passer. His 67.6 run-defense grade has been his strongest mark, while he has generated nine pressures from the interior through seven games.
4. Chris Jones — 341 snaps
Jones has been Florida State’s most-used linebacker and one of the defense’s most versatile pieces, lining up for 170 run-defense snaps, 137 in coverage, and 34 as a pass rusher. His pass rushing has been particularly effective, producing nine pressures and a 68.9 PFF grade in that area.
3. Ma’khi Jones — 380 snaps
Jones has handled a demanding role at corner, playing 197 snaps in coverage and 173 against the run. His 69.5 tackling grade is his strongest category, followed by a 65.1 mark in run defense and 60.7 in coverage.
2. CJ Richard Jr. — 396 snaps
Richard has been another constant in the secondary, splitting most of his workload between 204 coverage snaps and 185 against the run. His 62.9 coverage grade has been the stronger part of his season, while a 42.3 run-defense grade has weighed down his overall mark.
1. Ja’Bril Rawls — 420 snaps
Rawls has carried the largest workload on the entire defense, including 227 snaps in coverage and 189 against the run. His season has graded more favorably in coverage (67.1) and tackling (66.9), while PFF has also credited him with three pressures and a sack.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU football's snap count leaders through seven weeks