FSU Transfer Portal News: Caleb LaVallee Commits!
Former North Carolina linebacker transfers to Florida State to continue his career.
Florida State was going to have some work to do in its linebacker room after four departures so far. DJ Lundy and Cam Riley’s eligibility expired, and Demarco Ward and Sean Murphy transferred out. Florida State replaced one of the departures with former Syracuse and Nebraska linebacker Stefon Thompson. Thompson is a solid rotational piece who knows Tony White’s defense extremely well.
Now Florida State has brought in former UNC linebacker Caleb LaVallee as a transfer. The 6’1 225 pound Smyrna, Georgia product represents a little bit of a departure from Florida State’s approach to acquiring transfers this offseason. Florida State has been targeting experience and proven production in this year’s transfer portal cycle.
FSU’s acquisition of LaVallee may be more of a long term play. He does bring value as a rotational piece at linebacker, but he also has room for continuing growth and development. The PFF grade for this season’s effort is certainly below what FSU has taken in the portal this cycle with a 58.9 overall grade.
LaVallee’s run defense grade is good at 72.1, but his coverage and pass rush grades were at replacement level. However, LaVallee may have turned the corner in UNC’s bowl game against UConn. He was given a PFF grade of 78.5 which is good considering it was his first start.
LaVallee also made major strides in his coverage skills. His coverage grade for this game was 80.1, and was a marked improvement from his previous performances. His run defense and tackling grades were solid efforts as well. Overall, LaVallee’s performance was more well rounded in this bowl game than in previous games.
Perhaps getting to play a significant number of snaps allowed LaVallee to raise his performance level. For all I know, he may not work out. I do believe this is a player worth taking a risk on.
He immediately provides value as a depth and rotational piece, but still has room to grow as a player. Plus, he will have three years of eligibility remaining once he arrives on campus. Give the defensive staff credit for continuing to find value in the places one does not expect.
Go Noles!