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FSU football gets huge addition with UCF transfer LB Tatum Bethune

By Kelvin Hunt

Players for the Florida State Seminoles raise their helmets in celebration after winning the NCAA Nokia Sugar Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on 4th January 2000 at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The Florida State Seminoles won the game 46 - 29. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Players for the Florida State Seminoles raise their helmets in celebration after winning the NCAA Nokia Sugar Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on 4th January 2000 at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The Florida State Seminoles won the game 46 - 29. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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FSU football coaches continue to do major work in the transfer portal after failing to meet some needs in the early signing period. FSU missed big time at wide receiver and used the transfer portal to find three new additions within the last couple of weeks.

They were only able to sign one high school linebacker in Omar Graham Jr. last month. However, former Central Florida linebacker Tatum Bethune entered his name into the transfer portal less than a week ago and immediately became a target for FSU coaches.

FSU co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Randy Shannon signed Bethune as the defensive coordinator at Central Florida in 2019.

Bethune’s decision came down to FSU and Miami, the latter because Bethune hails from South Florida. However, Bethune announced his commitment to the Noles via this Twitter account:

Bethune is a former three-star recruit who blossomed into the leading tackler for the Knights with 108 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss. He also had two sacks, two interceptions, one pass defended, three QB hurries, and one forced fumble.

Bethune checks in at 6’1″ and 225 pounds and will immediately contend for a starting spot at the linebacker position. One of the biggest areas of need for the FSU defense has been linebacker play for the past couple of years.

Their play improved in 2021, but holes in passing coverage were one of the main reasons they struggled to get off the field on third downs. If you’re wondering how Bethune faired with tackles against Power 5 competition(included Cincinnati since they made the playoffs):

  • Louisville-7
  • Cincinnati-10
  • Florida-7

He had a season high 18 tackles against South Florida and had 17 against East Carolina. He had double-digit tackles in five of his 12 games. This was a battle FSU could not afford to let Miami win, with the connections Randy Shannon and Sabbath Joseph have with this recruit. If they lost this recruiting battle, it was not going to be a good sign going forward. He has two years of eligibility left. Welcome to Nolenation Tatum Bethune!

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