FSU football: Why advanced metrics like FSU in 2022
By Kelvin Hunt
Defense
SP+ rankings place FSU football with the No. 13 ranked defense. I know Adam Fuller haters read that and scowl, not to mention FSU loses their two best defensive players in Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas.
However, FSU returns a ton of production on defense. Jammie Robinson, Robert Cooper, Fabien Lovett, and Kalen Deloach provide experience, leadership, and production at all three levels. Dennis Briggs returning is a boost, and the Jared Verse addition from the transfer portal could help soften the losses of Johnson and Thomas.
Their production isn’t replaceable, but the addition of Tatum Bethune from the transfer portal at linebacker should improve that unit. The secondary returns almost everyone from last year, and top 100 players Sam McCall and Azareye’h Thomas bring talent and depth.
FSU has more proven depth on the defensive line, with Malcolm Ray and Jarret Jackson gaining valuable reps last season. While unproven, there are a few young defensive ends like Derrick McClendon, Quashon Fuller, and Patrick Payton that could emerge.
After all, Kalen DeLoach had seven tackles in 2020 and became the team’s third-leading tackler, with 69 in 2021. Another year in Adam Fuller’s scheme should be helpful to a unit returning lots of players.