FSU football: How Fabien Lovett’s return impacts the 2023 defense
By Kelvin Hunt
The first thing Lovett returning does is give FSU an All-ACC caliber player at the position. Robert Cooper has exhausted his eligibility and Jarrett Jackson transferred to Michigan State, but that’s where the transfer players come into play.
FSU can pair Lovett with Fiske or Jackson in the starting lineup, or if Lovett’s out they can pair Fiske and Clark together.
Basically, that means FSU will have three starter-quality defensive tackles at their disposal. That doesn’t take into account the development of Joshua Farmer this offseason, who could work himself into that same tier by the time the season starts.
That leaves Malcolm Ray, Dennis Briggs(unless he gets moved back to DE), Daniel Lyons, Ayobami Tifase, Bishop Thomas, and Antavious Woody. Fiske and Lovett would be gone after the 2023 season, but Jackson would have another year of eligibility remaining.
That would mean a potential defensive line of Jackson, Farmer, Ray, Lyons, Tifase, Thomas, Woody, and Keith Sampson. Lovett’s return and the additions from the transfer portal ensure quality play while allowing these young players to develop for the future.