Florida State football did not perform as it wanted in 2024, where it accumulated a 2-10 record. That was not the standard for a program used to compete in conference and national championships.
With that said, head football coach Mike Norvell understood that there needed to be major changes with the Seminoles to be successful. This is especially true since the Seminoles have to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the season opener twenty-five Saturdays from now.
That might seem like a long time from now, but Florida State fans will be filling up the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, August 30th before we know it.
In honor of twenty-four weeks remaining before the season opener, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss redshirt sophomore defensive back KJ Kirkland, who wears the No. 24 jersey.
Kirkland was a former four-star prospect that the coaching staff was high on during his recruitment process. The youngster had quality reps last season (even though the squad was horrific) at the safety position.
He appeared in all twelve games (nine starts) where he recorded 46 tackles (one for loss), and two pass breakups during the 2024 season. Kirkland was not a perfect product, but he displayed signs of being a quality player in the defensive backfield.
Senior Shyheim Brown decided to return to Tallahassee for his final season. The former three-star prospect did not have the year that he wanted in 2024 after he expected it to be a "money year" for him. Opposite of Brown, they tried to insert Davonte Brown, Conrad Hussey, Ashlynd Barker, Earl Little Jr., and KJ Kirkland at the other safety position.
It looked like Kirkland was the most effective option of the bunch to pair with Brown. I wonder what the talented defender could do with a full offseason.