FSU Football: Top 5 most important defensive players for 2022

FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller at the FSU National Signing Day Party on Feb. 5, 2020.Img 4487
FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller at the FSU National Signing Day Party on Feb. 5, 2020.Img 4487 /
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Fabien Lovett
Fabien Lovett /

Fabien Lovett

The No. 1 goal for defenses is to stop the run, and the defensive line is the unit that sets the tone. That’s why Fabien Lovett lands at the No. 1 spot on this list.

He’s the defensive tackle with the highest probability of getting drafted first among the defensive tackles on the team. He likely would have gone in the NFL Draft after last year if he didn’t play a portion of the season with a nagging injury.

Despite that, Lovett took over in a few games, disrupting things up the middle and toss offensive linemen around like rag dolls.

He’ll likely force opposing teams to gameplan for him with double teams, which should open up spots for the linebackers to shoot the gaps to make splash plays.

He’s good at getting off blocks in the run game and capable of collapsing the pocket up the middle, which is the worst place to see pressure for a quarterback.

If Fabien Lovett has a breakout season? That means the Noles probably had a really good defense in 2022.