SHYHEIM BROWN
Florida State football is almost here as the Seminoles take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the season opener on Saturday, August 30th at 3:30 PM EST on ABC. The program looks to be ready for the challenge at hand.
Florida State conducted its second fall camp scrimmage, where it is ironing out the kinks. There will be growing pains with having forty-four recruits and transfers to the roster, but it will all pan out in the end.
Defensive coordinator Tony White went to the podium on Monday afternoon to address the media for a recap of Sunday's scrimmage. He mentioned that safety Earl Little Jr. was still learning, but we know how Coach White feels about the former Alabama transfer after referring to the South Florida native as "Him".
Then, after he discussed Little Jr., he highlighted the battle between Ashylnd Barker and KJ Kirkland at the other safety spot. This is a massive development because it doesn't seem like redshirt senior defensive back Shyheim Brown is in their plans for the starting members of the secondary.
There was a portion of the fan base that thought Brown could have an impact in 2024, but there were times when he underperformed and did not play up to what he was capable of. The two-year starter has a combined 162 tackles (six for loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception, eight pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries during his time in the Garnet and Gold.
I am pulling for Brown because I know that he wants to make an impact on the team. However, I am also on the side of loving the fact that a new defensive coach isn't allowing players to solidify starting spots before they even show it in practice. It looks like the former three-star prospect will have to earn it on the gridiron. That competition will do wonders for this Florida State team.