Florida State offensive lineman Nate Pabst brings prototypical size and experience to the Seminoles, helping to man a rebuilt unit that blocked for the leading rushing offense in the ACC last season.
Florida State offensive lineman Nate Pabst brings 38 games of starting experience at Bowling Green to Tallahassee to help plugs holes in what will be a rebuilt offensive line, one that will feature four transfers.
In a post-practice interview, offensive line coach Herb Hand praised Pabst for what he brings to the Seminoles, calling him a “solid lunch pail” type of player.
“Dude that comes to work every day. He's a vet,” Hand said. “You could tell that he's played a lot of football. He's a 38 game-starter at the previous place and they did a great job with him. I'm glad we have him. So, I would say just from a consistency standpoint, everyday guy that you can count on.”
Last season at Bowling Green, Pabst (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) earned second-team All-MAC honors after allowing just one sack. Pabst earned grades from Pro Football Focus (PFF) of 70 in pass blocking and 69 in run blocking. He is a versatile player that can play any of the guard and tackle spots. That versatility could bode well for the Seminoles, from a depth standpoint as the season progresses.
Also at a post-practice interview, Pabst was asked what makes a consistent offensive lineman, from a player’s standpoint?
“Someone that does his job every play, no matter how he feels, how what he's going through or what the environment is,” said Pabst. “At this position, you're not going to feel good. You're not going to be on the big screen when you're doing something. But the guys that go out there, and no matter what the circumstance is or what the situation is, they can go out there and perform and do their job. That's what a great offensive lineman in my mind is.”
Pabst was certainly describing himself with that assessment. He is a player who just wants to play football. The fact that he has learned multiple positions along the offensive line is a testament to his desire to never come off the field when the Seminoles possess the football.
Last season, the offensive line blocked for a Florida State rushing attack that led the ACC (and No. 11 in the FBS) in rushing offense at 218.67 yards per game.
The Seminoles gained 2,624 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, and they averaged just over five yards per carry. Pabst and his brothers on the line will look to continue that success as they bulldoze opposing defenders to open big running lanes for Doak Walker watch list running backs Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner.
Hand echoed that sentiment on the rushing attack, “Our DNA is we're going to be a physical downhill running team, and then you build everything off of that,” said Hand. “But you certainly want to build around the skill set of your guys and I think the guys have brought some really good stuff to the table. We're able to work that into what we want to do offensively.”
According to college football analyst Phil Steele, Pabst has NFL potential, especially when you consider his versatility. He and his offensive line mates can work to improve an area where the Seminoles were mediocre last season, and that is sacks allowed.
Florida State allowed 23 sacks last season, which was about the middle of the pack both nationally and in the ACC. This unit must keep starting quarterback Ashton Daniels upright so he can throw the ball downfield, or use his legs to get away from pressure and extend drives.
Putting the Seminoles in position to score points will be a priority this season. The Seminoles scored in the red zone 80 percent of the time last season, ranking 95th in the country. That scoring rate needs to be a lot better.
The late great announcer Keith Jackson often described the offensive line as the “big uglies.” Pabst and his offensive line brethren will gladly accept that moniker if it means leading the Seminoles to victory on Saturdays this fall.
