FSU Football: Top 5 most important defensive players for 2022
By Kelvin Hunt
Tatum Bethune/Kalen DeLoach
The tandem of Kalen DeLoach and DJ Lundy was an improved linebacker unit last year, but the addition of UCF transfer Tatum Bethune likely makes this position even better.
DeLoach and Lundy tied for third with 69 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for a loss. However, the third-down conversions allowed were often Lundy struggling in coverage.
That’s an area both DeLoach and Tatum should be better, which means a better defense overall.
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That’s not to say Lundy will never see the field, and the same goes for Amari Gainer, who had impressive stats although he wasn’t on the field all the time.
However, I expect DeLoach and Bethune to be the starters at linebacker, which should be the best tandem they’ve had at the position since 2015-16.
A linebacker unit that’s improved in coverage and not missing open-field tackles? That’s a recipe for success.