Florida State linebacker Reggie Northrup left the Rose Bowl loss against Oregon with an apparent knee injury. Monday, a source told Tomahawk Nation that Northrup's injury was a torn ACL and a sprained MCL.
The news means that Northrup will miss spring practice, but may be able to return in time for the start of the season. Recovery times for ACL injuries vary, and if there are complications or setbacks, it is worth noting that Northrup does have a redshirt available.
The 6'1, 220-pound linebacker led the Seminoles in tackles with 122 (61 solo), though he did struggle at times with recognition speed and in pass coverage. When healthy, Terrance Smith and Matthew Thomas, who both return to the Seminoles, looked like FSU's best linebackers; but both battled injuries throughout the year, while Northrup was consistently in the lineup.
With the dismissal of Ukeme Eligwe, the transfer of E.J. Levenberry, and the uncertain status of Kain Daub (did not travel with the Seminoles to the Rose Bowl or participate in many of the bowl practices), FSU will have only Smith, Thomas, Ro'Derrick Hoskins, Jacob Pugh (DE/OLB) and Delvin Purifoy available for spring practice, along with Tyrrell Lyons, who splits time between linebacker and safety.