FSU football: Ranking the top defenses Noles will face in 2023
By Kelvin Hunt
![RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles speaks with Jordan Travis #13 during the first half of their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles speaks with Jordan Travis #13 during the first half of their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fba93bb3c88637bc423b46cb25c842d36071a5cfdc7b1c68ae52e18717e8ef92.jpg)
Mandatory Credit: Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh
- 24.3 PPG
- 5.14 YPP
- 32.22 percent third down conversion allowed
- 56.25 percent Red Zone TD percentage
- No. 22 FEI
Pat Narduzzi is a defensive-minded coach that has an eye for talent. The Pitt Panthers have produced the fourth most defensive draft picks over the past three years. However, they lost defensive end Calijah Kancy to the NFL Draft(first-round). They also lost three other defensive players to the NFL Draft in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.
Those players were a linebacker(their leading tackler and sacks) and two defensive backs. The latter is important because Pitt likes to play Cover-4, so losing that experience in the secondary could be a factor. They lost their four top tacklers from last season. However, Narduzzi usually recruits well defensively, and I’m sure they have some experience returning and got a safety transfer from Florida.