FSU football: Why Noles defense should be top-tier in 2023

Returning Experience

Here’s a list of guys with starting experience in Adam Fuller’s defense:

• Jared Verse
• Fabien Lovett
• Patrick Payton
• Tatum Bethune
• Kalen DeLoach
• Renardo Green
• Akeem Dent
• Greedy Vance
• Jarrian Jones
• Kevin Knowles

That’s a ton of starting experience, not to mention all of the talent and experience they added from the transfer portal. Darrell Jackson, Braden Fiske, Fentrell Cypress, and Gilber Edmond provide talent upgrades and depth along the defensive line and at cornerback. FSU struggled against the run when Fabien Lovett wasn’t in the games last year, and that won’t be an issue in 2023. Edmond is likely an upgrade over Derrick McLendon at defensive end, and All-ACC selection Fentrell Cypress will be an upgrade at cornerback opposite Renardo Green. FSU will return both starting linebackers and will have DJ Lundy and promising redshirt freshman Omar Graham Jr. The only perceived question mark is depth at safety. However, if the defensive line is as good as we think, that should help negate that problem most of the time.