FSU football: Thoughts on Omarion Cooper moving to safety

FSU football coaches worked to address roster needs in the 2023 recruiting class via high school players and the transfer portal.

They met most of those needs with the lone exception of safety with the departure of Jammie Robinson to the NFL.

The staff signed and enrolled several defensive backs from the high school ranks, but I thought they’d look to address the safety position via the transfer portal like they did other pressing needs.

It looks like no one they valued became available to enroll for the spring semester, which would have been huge for player acclimation to the system and building rapport with coaches and teammates.

The coaching staff has had success with players on the roster changing positions to help the team, and that’s what’s gonna happen with the safety position, according to FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller.

He spoke on the Jeff Cameron Show Wednesday about the move, and I think it’s a smart move.

Cooper had a successful freshman season and looked poised to be a difference-maker at cornerback in 2022. However, injuries derailed that progress, and he never regained that form.

The emergence of Renardo Green, AZ Thomas, the improvement of Jarrian Jones, and the transfer portal addition of Fentrell Cypress provide good depth at cornerback, which makes the transition of Cooper to safety easier. Cooper has good size and ball skills and plays a physical style.

The fact he’s already on the roster and has some familiarity with the defense will be beneficial, much more than someone from the transfer portal who can’t enroll until the summer. However, FSU coaches could still entertain taking a safety from the portal if a quality option becomes available.

Adam Fuller expects Shyheim Brown to be an impact player, and Akeem Dent returning gives FSU two experienced options at the position. If Cooper can get fully healthy, he could be just what the coaches were looking for to add quality depth and experience.