FSU football: 3 reasons ‘Noles defense could be even better in 2022

When I wrote FSU football would be better defensively in 2021, folks looked at me crazy. The 2020 season was arguably one of the worst years stats-wise in history, but there were too many variables to write off Adam Fuller just yet.

Fuller got grief from fans during the first quarter of the 2021 season as the team began 0-4. I was one of the few pointing out the problems were not necessarily on the defense but the lack of offense preventing them from winning games.

The defense wasn’t without fault, but I could see the improvements defensively, although they were winless.

There were still too many missed tackles, busted coverages, and third-down conversions. However, as the season continued, we began to see a defense form an identity and keep the team in games, despite the offensive woes continuing throughout the season.

The additions of Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas from the transfer portal helped transform the defense, adding to places they lacked.

Those two important pieces are gone, but FSU coaches have once again taxed the transfer portal for immediate help in the form of linebacker Tatum Bethune, defensive end Jared Verse, and defensive back Greedy Vance. FSU football enters the 2022 season with fewer questions as they have returning experience at all three levels.

The question is, do they have all the ingredients needed to make an improvement over the previous year?

FSU football finished 2021 ranked No. 43 in DFEI advanced metrics. That’s a massive improvement from the No. 108 ranking in 2020.

Here’s why they could improve on that No. 43 ranking in 2022.