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FSU football: What FSU fans should expect from Fabien Lovett

By Sam Tschida

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 2: Chief Osceola and Renegade of the Florida State Seminoles plants the spear at mid-field before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 2, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 27 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 2: Chief Osceola and Renegade of the Florida State Seminoles plants the spear at mid-field before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 2, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 27 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Tale of the Tape

Lovett stands at 6’4, 315, which is almost identical to Corey Durden’s size. Last year, Lovett didn’t put up gargantuan numbers by any means, posting a stat line of 19 total tackles, with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. However, those numbers were in a 3-3-5, meaning Lovett mostly played the one and three-technique and faced a ton of double teams. Not that he won’t at FSU, but with four down-linemen instead of three, Lovett will take on a lot more one-on-ones.

Despite his size, Lovett is very quick off the ball and is a very good block shedder. Take this play early in the Music City Bowl

Lovett does a great job here of maintaining leverage on the guard, reading the play, and shedding for a TFL. He displays great technique here, as well as quickness off the line of scrimmage. Louisville is running ‘wide’ zone here, with the backside guard and center supposed to double team the weakside one technique in Lovett. Instead, Lovett is quick off the ball and controls the block, which doesn’t allow the guard to reach the double team.

Here, Lovett does not make the tackle. However, he does a great job of using his hands to maintain balance, avoid the cut, and zero in on the running back, even without making the tackle. This is a great showcase of balance and form from the big man.

Lovett showcases great quickness here, beating the center on the down block. While he doesn’t make the tackle, Lovett is immediately in the backfield and on a non-reverse, absolutely makes the play.

Again, Lovett does a great job here of maintaining leverage on the center, controlling the block, and making the play. Louisville is running zone, and while the center does a good job of turning his butt to the hole, Lovett has better hand placement and easily rips through for a TFL.

Here’s an example of one of the few times in the game where Lovett gets beat, and it does showcase a few of his weaknesses. It’s once again a zone run with Louisville, and similar to the previous play, the center does get his butt turned to the hole, and wash down Lovett. However, unlike last time, Lovett doe not control the block, and the running back runs underneath for a big game. One common theme I noticed.  He was washed out of the play several times by his over-aggressiveness. The physical tools are there, but that is one thing he needs to work on.

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