A segment of FSU fans got their wish when Mike Norvell fired Adam Fuller towards the end of the 2024 season. The defense got the short end of the stick because the offense was so terrible. I still maintain most of the defensive players stopped caring around halftime of every game because they knew the offense wasn't capable of scoring more than 14 points max.
The defense has several players who had All-ACC credentials, and talent wasn't the issue. Enter Nebraska's Tony White, a defensive coordinator who's well-respected across the nation. His job is to make the FSU defense formidable again, like it was towards the end of the 2023 undefeated regular season. Here are three reasons why he can make FSU into a top 20 defense in 2025.
- FSU's defense has more talent and experience than most give credit.
- FSU will face lots of new quarterbacks and new offensive coordinators.
- Tony White has a track record for top 20 defenses.
FSU has a lot of experience returning on all three levels. Darrell Jackson Jr. was an All-ACC Honorable Mention. Daniel Lyons and Kelvin Sampson return. FSU brought some experience and talent from the transfer portal. FSU has Blake Nichelson, Juice Cryer, and Omar Graham Jr. returning from last year's team. Stefon Thompson and Elijah Herring bring a ton of experience from the transfer portal. Shyheim Brown is a former All-ACC performer in the secondary at safety. FSU added Jeremiah Wilson at cornerback from the transfer portal. They have tons of blue-chip players in the secondary, and some have more experience than others.
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We saw this a few years ago when FSU played several teams with new quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. It usually takes a year or two for a coordinator to work out the kinks with a new quarterback and everyone else. The difference in the offense for the Clemson Tigers from 2023 to 2024 is a great example. Alabama, Virginia, Miami, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, and Stanford will have a new piece at one or both spots.
Tony White had back-to-back defenses at Nebraska the last two years with lesser talent. Nebraska had one defensive player drafted and three defensive Undrafted Free Agents from last year's team.
FSU has several players with the potential to play in the NFL. It's a matter of Tony White and the coaching staff getting enough buy-in that the players can execute most of the things he's trying to implement.
FSU has a lot of experience and returning talent. They will have some teams who are ripe for the picking, and a proven defensive coaching staff who's produced back-to-back top 20 defenses with lesser talent. I know last year makes it seem impossible, but it's not too far-fetched.