Five Numbers that Must Improve for 2015 FSU Football

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

43.87

Tying into that last slide about pressuring the quarterback is this number: Florida State’s opponents’ third-down conversion success rate. It was 11th in the ACC and 106th in the FBS.

FSU’s linebackers simply must improve in coverage, and a healthy Terrance Smith in 2015 will help with that, as will finally having Matthew Thomas for a full season. In the backfield, standout corners P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby are off to the league, but it became evident last year that Jalen Ramsey was emerging as the unit’s leader — if not one of the team leaders — so look for him to continue his efforts there. Tyler Hunter and Nate Andrews return as well, and it will be interesting to see what effect a full season of football without injury reaggravation will have on the former. Also in the mix are Marquez White and Trey Marshall.

There’s some interesting new talent coming to FSU, too. Well, technically, Derwin James, the country’s top safety, is already here as an early enrollee. James is quite reminiscent of Ramsey– he’s big, fast, and lives to hit. Recent signee Tarvarus McFadden (the No. 3 cornerback recruit in the nation) should challenge for early playing time as well.