FSU DEFENSE
Florida State is conducting its fall camp practices as we are now less than four Saturdays away from the Seminoles' season opener versus Alabama. It will be here before we know it.
The fan base and team itself want to put the 2-10 season from last year in the rearview mirror. That was not the standard that the Seminoles want to set as a program. With that being said, many individuals worried about the offensive side of the football.
This was for good reason, as the program struggled to the end of the season, averaging 15.2 points per game. For an offense that is "Built for Playmakers", that was a major disappointment. The Seminoles decided to add pieces to improve the offense, including offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, quarterback Thomas Castellanos, wide receivers Duce Robinson and Squirrel White, among others.
NEW PIECES IN TALLAHASSEE
The offense wasn't the only aspect of the team that was improved this offseason. The defense is also something that had a major overhaul with pickups such as defensive coordinator Tony White, defensive end James Williams, linebackers Elijah Herring and Stefon Thompson, and cornerback Jeremiah Wilson.
The discussion is on the shiny new "toys" that Florida State football has. However, what about the returning pieces that they have? I know that talented defenders like Earl Little Jr. and Ja'Bril Rawls keep being talked about by Coach White.
WHERE IS SHYHEIM?
That makes me wonder why redshirt senior defensive back Shyheim Brown isn't being brought up. I know this is a new multiple 3-3-5 defensive scheme that focuses on aggression and multiple safeties. However, Brown has 162 tackles (six for loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception, and eight pass breakups during his career with the Seminoles.
I know that he did not have the 2024 campaign that he wanted with Florida State, but there were not many individuals who could shine in such adverse settings. Nonetheless, I hope that Brown's name gets mentioned more as someone who is a difference maker this upcoming season.