FSU football: Top 5 concerns going into the 2024 season

Safety Play

The safety position became a major concern when Akeem Dent went down in the Southern Mississippi game last year. His absence created a void in the backend of the defense that teams like Boston College and Clemson exposed. Nearly every big play Clemson got was their offense attacking that spot, forcing Dent's replacement to come downhill in the run game or to make decisions in coverage. However, when Dent returned, that void disappeared, and the FSU returned to dominating opposing offenses.

Dent is off to the NFL, and FSU will look to fill his spot with sophomore Conrad Hussey or veteran Devontae Brown. Neither has the experience in Adam Fuller's defense like Akeem Dent. Hussey is more talented but could be susceptible to misreads and miscommunication. Brown is new to the defense and still finding his way, although he has plenty of college experience overall. Can a combination of these two or others offset what Akeem Dent brought to the defense? Dent was outstanding down the stretch, especially in the final few games. This position is an area to keep an eye on early.