FSU football: Top 15 most important defensive players for 2024 season
By Kelvin Hunt
No. 3 Patrick Payton-DE
Some people probably expected Patrick Payton to be in the No. 1 spot, but the depth at the defensive end position helps a ton compared to what they had last season. Patrick Payton is one of the top defensive ends in the ACC and has the opportunity to improve his NFL Draft stock with a monster 2024 season. Marvin Jones Jr. probably has more upside, but Payton is the most complete defensive end on the team. He can get to the quarterback, is excellent at batting balls down if he can't get to the quarterback, and he's solid against the run.
His play will be important for several reasons. FSU will face some solid quarterbacks this season, probably better guys overall than what they faced in 2023. FSU may have to rely on its defense a little more than last season until all the faces get acclimated to everything. The defensive end is one of the most important positions on the defense, and FSU has a budding start in Patrick Payton. A player they developed from high school.