FSU LB Emmert Rice making progress in Matthew Thomas’ absence – Orlando Sentinel

With Florida State fifth-year LB Matthew Thomas missing more than a week of fall practice, sophomore LB Emmert Rice has taken advantage of the absence.

Rice, a three-star prospect rated by 247Sports.com as a top-30 linebacker out of Miami Norland High, played in 12 games, mostly on special teams, during his freshman season with the Seminoles.

During the first week of fall camp, Rice was a fixture on the second-team defense with fellow sophomore Dontavious Jackson. With Thomas and Jackson missing practice time this week because of a left knee injury, Rice has been making progress while taking extended repetitions in practice this week, coach Jimbo Fisher said.

Fisher said the next step Rice needs to take in his game is learning the nuances of playing the position.

Ive been pleased with his progress, Fisher said. The thing about him, hes extremely physical. That guy will pop you now. He can come downhill and play, but hes athletic, can run, and play in space, too.

Rice will be expected to add to FSUs linebacker depth behind Ro'Derrick Hoskins and Jacob Pugh, and alongside Jackson, redshirt sophomore transfer Adonis Thomas, UCF graduate transfer Jamario Mathis, redshirt junior Delvin Purifoy and true freshman Leonard Warner III until Thomas returns to action.

Upon further review of FSUs first preseason scrimmage film, Fisher hopes his team is able to work on some minor details that would allow them to play more efficiently on both sides of the football.

I was not displeased at all, but at the same time, I was not pleased if that makes any sense, Fisher said Tuesday. I was not unhappy. We just have to refine some things.

Email Safid Deen at sdeen@orlandosentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @osfsu or @Safid_Deen and like our Florida State Facebook page for the latest updates on the Seminoles.

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FSU LB Emmert Rice making progress in Matthew Thomas' absence - Orlando Sentinel