Florida State's defensive backfield will be a fun group to watch

The defensive backfield will be an interesting unit to watch for with the Florida State Seminoles as we approach the 2024 season. With that being said, it will have to replace the likes of cornerbacks Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones as well as safety Akeem Dent.

As it stands, that is a quite bit of production that defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. especially since Jones led the team in interceptions (3). Plus, Renardo Green and Akeem Dent have been considered as players who have steadily improved throughout their respective careers.

On Monday afternoon, Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell spoke to the media where he stated that the defensive backfield will be a fun group to watch.

Overall, Surtain Sr. is a solid recruiter with South Florida ties. He has had stints in high school, college, and the NFL so he has been through the coaching ranks. With Surtain Sr's recruiting ability, he landed four prospects in the 2024 cycle: Charles Lester III, Jamari Howard, Cai Bates, and Ricky Knight III.

Surtain Sr. also landed two transfers via the portal in Alabama's Earl Little Jr. and Miami's Davonte Brown. That is six new faces to a unit is vital to the defense's success. As Norvell alluded to, this defensive backfield will be a fun group to watch since there are so many newcomers in the unit.

It is recognized that returning contributors such as Fentrell Cypress II, Azareye'h Thomas, Shyheim Brown, Greedy Vance, Conrad Hussey, and others will still be in the rotation. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller loves to utilize multiple defensive backs in his 4-2-5 scheme.

This allows the defense to ensure that they have fresh bodies when there are critical situations. The Seminoles would like to force more interceptions (10) than they did in 2023. This aspect comes with familiarity of what is being asked of them.

This should be very exciting to watch as spring camp kicks off this week.