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FSU Football: Defensive back depth will ease loss of Tarvarus McFadden

By Kelvin Hunt

WINSTON SALEM, NC - SEPTEMBER 30: John Wolford #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tries to get away from Tarvarus McFadden #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during their game at BB&T Field on September 30, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC - SEPTEMBER 30: John Wolford #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tries to get away from Tarvarus McFadden #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during their game at BB&T Field on September 30, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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FSU football loses a talented player but has quality depth in place.

FSU football learned redshirt sophomore Tarvarus McFadden would be leaving the program to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL Saturday.

McFadden’s a former five-star recruit and no question a talented player who was at the top of the list for cornerbacks in early 2018 mock drafts.

McFadden was often a target of FSU fans this season due to inconsistent play mainly due to how well he played as a redshirt freshman in 2017. Expectations were sky-high and it does hurt to lose him, especially with a new defensive coordinator who specializes in teaching defensive back play.

However, if FSU has a position to that could survive losing a talented player like McFadden it would be at defensive back.

After all, FSU football is “DBU” right?

The ‘Noles have a roster full of experienced and talented defensive backs that will benefit from the tutelage of the new defensive coordinator.

List of capable players

  • Levonta Taylor: Former 5-star recruit ranked No. 1 overall CB
  • Carlos Becker: Former 4-star recruit ranked No. 17 overall CB
  • Kyle Meyers: Former 4-star recruit ranked No. 25 overall CB
  • Stanford Samuels: Former 4-star recruit ranked No. 4 overall CB

Players Signed for 2018

  • AJ Lytton: 4-star signee ranked No. 8 overall CB
  • Asante Samuel Jr.: 4-star signee ranked No. 9 overall CB
  • Isaiah Bolden: 4-star signee ranked No. 24 overall CB

Thoughts

Stanford Samuels II is a player like McFadden who’s talented enough to enter the draft after his junior year and will likely replace him at the boundary corner position. Carlos Becker has the length to play boundary too.

Levonta Taylor could play the field corner position or star, and Kyle Meyers can play field corner or star.

The great thing about FSU football is true freshman play early, especially the defensive backs, so expect both Lytton and Samuel Jr. to see the field in 2018. Bolden can play corner, but may fit the safety role better and will be available too.

Next: Will FSU Shed Counterpunch Mentality In Taggart Era?

So losing a player the caliber of McFadden always hurts, but this is definitely a position of “next man up” in 2018.

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