FSU football: 3 reasons Nole defense will be much improved in 2020

Coaching

I’m a believer in Adam Fuller as a defensive coordinator. I was the first person to look up the SP+ stats from Memphis and Marshall before FSU hire him.

I pointed out at both places he had massive improvements in his first year. Those teams have considerably less talent than FSU, so I’d expect the improvements to be there considering the experience he has returning.

I do have some concerns about the team not being able to have a full spring and summer to get practice reps and learn the scheme.

However, the success posted in year one at the other spots gives me confidence, not to mention he had to install his defense at two different places.

That experience should be invaluable as they deal with the shortcomings of missing practice reps in the spring. Fuller seems to have a much better understanding of how to scheme and make offenses react to what his defenses are doing, instead of letting the offense dictate things.

He’s not afraid to bring pressure, and that pressure is usually well-timed and executed when blitzing. These are areas the last two defensive coordinators struggled a great deal.

Hopefully, the days of giving up third and long conversions at nearly 40 percent are over. Not to mention the days of defensive backs not playing press coverage on third and short.

It’s all in the details, and Adam Fuller seems like the type to dot his i’s and cross all his t’s.