FSU football: 3 major red flags we missed going into 2024

No Leadership

FSU fans took for granted the leadership players like Jordan Travis, Jared Verse, Trey Benson, Kalen DeLoach, and others brought to the program. If we look at the major problem areas, I notice two things. The quarterback is often one of the main leaders of a team. DJ Uiagalelei just got to FSU in January, and we'll talk about his struggles soon enough. Nobody thought Uiagalelei would compete for a Heisman Trophy at FSU.

However, everyone thought the defensive line would be among the best in college football, and they've probably been the biggest disappointment. Several linebackers have been terrible too. In hindsight, these two units have a ton in common. Patrick Payton, Joshua Farmer, Darrell Jackson, and DJ Lundy all flirted with or did enter the transfer portal after the 2023 season. How or why would they want to do that after finishing undefeated in the regular season after going through all they went through as high school recruits to get to that point? All were penciled in as likely starters. All of them likely got better NIL deals to stay or return to FSU in Lundy's case. I should note Farmer missed spring camp, and Lundy missed most of fall camp with an injury. However, good leaders wouldn't have handled their NIL business on social media like those guys did.