FSU football: Why ‘Noles run defense could be elite in 2020
By Kelvin Hunt
Scheme
This is an easy call, as FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller will be running a 4-3 or 4-2-5 defense.
That’s the defense most of the players on the team were recruited to play going back to the Jimbo Fisher days.
The entire defensive line was recruited to run a 4-3 with Janarius Robinson, Joshua Kaindoh, Marvin Wilson, Cory Durden and Robert Cooper all signed or committed to FSU when they were running that defense under Charles Kelly.
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It’s what defensive line coach Odell Haggins is most familiar with, and the same goes for linebackers coach Chris Marve.
FSU linebackers got a good taste of the 4-3 in the final 10 games last season and were improved over the previous couple of years.
FSU defensive ends coach John Papuchis is a Bo Pelini disciple who has experience running a 4-3 defense too. FSU defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson is familiar with the 4-3 scheme.
All defenses want to stop the run first, and the key is getting each unit to do their specified job within each play.
FSU having a staff that’s familiar with the scheme should make things simpler, and they’ll have all spring and fall to get familiar with how Fuller likes to call his defenses and attack.