Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels has spent months facing the Seminoles' defensive front in practice, and he has apparently seen enough to make a pretty definitive statement about where the group stands in the ACC.
Daniels told reporters Wednesday that Florida State will have the "best D-line in the ACC" before adding that there is "no doubt about that."
The confidence is understandable since that's the kind of thing you're supposed to say at this time in the year. And the Seminoles did find several building blocks on the defensive line, but it's the "no doubt" part that should get some attention in Coral Gables. Miami has an argument of its own entering 2026.
Ashton Daniels says there's "no doubt" that Florida State has the best D-line in the ACC.
— John Evans (@_jpevans_) August 12, 2026
FSU QB Ashton Daniels says FSU has the ACC's best defensive line
Let's start with FSU's defensive line. FSU's Mandrell Desir, a Miami Norland product, played well as a true freshman in 2025, finishing with 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He led all ACC freshmen in tackles for loss and sacks, earned Freshman All-America honors and finished as the runner-up for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Defensive lineman hitting 20MPH??
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) August 12, 2026
There are some real freaks on a D-Line that FSU QB Ashton Daniels feels will be the best in the ACC.
"It's truthfully scary for a quarterback..." 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/G1eaSAkufl
His twin brother Darryll Desir was impactful as well, recording 23 tackles. Deante McCray returns after finishing with 25 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss last season, while Deamontae Diggs is back after a season-ending injury limited him to three games. Diggs had five sacks for Coastal Carolina in 2024 before transferring to Florida State.
Florida State also added Rylan Kennedy from Texas A&M. Kennedy finished last season with 14 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Seminoles' defensive line will be good, but will it be better than Miami's? That is going to be a high bar to reach.
Miami's defensive line will still be one of the best units in 2026
Miami's defensive line may have lost production from last season, but the Hurricanes reloaded and project to be in the same ballpark in that department as they were last year.
Miami finished last season No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the ACC in sacks per game. Rueben Bain Jr. went No. 15 to Tampa Bay (15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks), while Akheem Mesidor went No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers (17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks).
But Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II enters the fold after recording nine sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss last season. Ahmad Moten Sr. returns in the middle after earning second-team All-ACC honors (31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks) and there is plenty of depth beyond the established names.
Miami's defensive line depth
- Marquise Lightfoot finished last season with 25 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. He also had two tackles for loss and a sack against Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinal.
- Justin Scott started Miami's final nine games and played in all 16. He recorded 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
- Armondo Blount put up 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery in 2025.
- Keona Davis transferred in from Nebraska, where he led all Cornhuskers defensive linemen with 32 tackles, adding 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
College football fans will get to see the comparison firsthand when Florida State travels to Miami on Oct. 17. That's really when fans will know if things have changed.
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