FSU DEFENSE
Florida State football did not have the season that it wanted in 2024 with a 2-10 record. The Seminoles battled through adversity. It has now got the fan base doubting the abilities of the squad as they enter the 2025 campaign.
There are so many facets as to why the Seminoles struggled as mightily as they did. The offensive unit is the talking point of the failures. I mean, when you average 15.2 points per game and 89.3 rushing yards per game, there is no sense of identity.
I don't want to place the entire blame on the offense because the defensive side of the football played a role too, with its lack of pass rush, inability to stop the run, unable to get off the field on third down, and couldn't force turnovers.
INSERT DC TONY WHITE
As a result, head football coach Mike Norvell decided to fire defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and went with former Syracuse and Nebraska defensive mastermind Tony White. Coach White has coordinated four straight defensive units in the top 25. That bodes well for the Seminoles.
His physical 3-3-5 defensive unit is supposed to allow the defense to get home to opposing quarterbacks quickly, stop the run, and create exotic looks to confuse offenses.
The biggest question mark is pass rushers. The Seminoles added defensive linemen such as James Williams, Deante McCray, Jayson Jenkins, and Deamontae Diggs in the transfer portal. However, there are two recruits that Coach White mentions in his presser with the media.
He referred to the Desir Twins (true freshmen Darryll and Mandrell Desir) as "big-time ball players". That is high praise for the true freshmen brothers. This makes you wonder if the youngsters will have a sizeable role in the Seminoles' defense for 2025.
This isn't the first time that the coaching staff has discussed them. Coach Norvell has already raved about their abilities. I am all in favor of playing the Miami natives if they are ready physically and can help the team win.