FSU football: Top 5 concerns going into the 2024 season
By Kelvin Hunt
Linebacker Play
I'm confident in an Adam Fuller defense. I was the only person stating the success of the 2023 team would be contingent on the offense, not the defense. We know how that turned out. I'm confident about the defense again in 2024. This isn't a concern, but more an unknown with FSU losing both of its starting linebackers from last season. DJ Lundy returning is huge. He missed a part of fall camp with an injury, but he knows the defense inside and out. His absence allowed others to get valuable practice reps.
The questions surround the other spots and who'll fill in the rotation. We know it'll be a combination of transfer Cam Riley, young guys Blake Nichelson, Justin Cryer, and Omar Graham Jr. That's better depth than last year, but will there be a drop off regarding overall communication? Will they blitz as effectively as last year? Will they have a dropoff in coverage? Will there be more busted plays because they filled the wrong gap? More of all these things are possible when you lose the amount of continuity they had with Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune.