Please let me hear your thoughts on my defensive analysis.
My grade chart..
A+ equals top 5-10 nationally
A equals top 10-20 nationally
A- equals top 20-25 nationally
B+ equals top 25-35 nationally
B equals top 35-45 nationally
B- equals top 45-55 nationally
C+ equals top 55-65 nationally
C equals top 65-75 nationally
Anything less than that is a D or F
DE: Dennis Briggs has slimmed down to 280 and should be a very solid DE, especially against the run. Derrick McClendon is experienced and could certainly be a solid starter, but transfer Jared Verse is the real X-Factor here. I do not think we should expect Jermaine Johnson here, especially this season, but he could still be a very big contributor here. Behind these three is where it gets interesting. Leonard Warner has been here forever, and brings experience, but youngsters Patrick Payton and Byron Turner are the ones to keep an eye on. It would be huge if one or both can step up. George Wilson is another one, but he needs to gain significant weight. Probably should expect much production from true freshman Aaron Hester or Dante Anderson this season. I do not think this unit will be elite, but could still be one of the best in the ACC.
Grade: B-
DT: Robert Cooper is the big man in the room here, literally, and figuratively. We should expect an All-ACC type season from him. Fabien Lovett also falls into this category. Both should be playing on Sundays in a year from now. Behind them it gets a little murky, but both Malcom Ray and Jarrett Jackson showed flashes at times last year. I personally have high hopes for Joshua Farmer and would not be surprised to see him move to second team. Not sure what to expect from Shambre Jackson. Would not be surprised to see him move out to DE. True freshman Daniel Lyons, Bishop Thomas and Ayobami Tifase all have a boat load of talent. Odell will bring them along slowly, but do not be surprised to see them make some waves as the season progresses. This should be one of the top DT groups in the nation.
Grade: A
LB: Getting Tatum Bethune to transfer from UCF was a huge boost to this unit. He should be a major contributor and leader to the team. Kalen Deloach also emerged in 2021. Both could be All-ACC caliber linebackers. Brendan Gant moving to linebacker is intriguing to me. I really think he has potential to be a very good player still. Amari Gainer seems to be what he is at this point. A above average player but has limitations. Stephen Dix and DJ Lundy are both old school thumpers. Like what they bring from a physicality standpoint, especially down by the goal line or in run defense. I was a big fan of Omar Graham out of high school and think he will eventually be a solid player for us. Not a ton of depth here, but we typically only play 2 linebackers at any given time. This unit is certainly better than it was a few years ago.
Grade: B-
CB:
It appears Duke Cooper has stepped up as the top, shutdown corner on the roster. He really flashed last season. As did Kevin Knowles. I believe they will be the top two corners on the team this season. Would not be shocked if either received All-ACC attention this year. Renardo Green has stepped up as probably a part-time starter or at least someone that will get a lot of action in nickel packages. After those three there is some seasons vets such as Jarrion Jones, Jarques McClellion, Greedy Vance who transferred over from power 5 schools. They can all play safety as well, which provides depth. The darkhorse could be former 5 star Demorie Tate who has been a ghost since he has arrived in Tallahassee. The real question is can freshman national recruits Sam McCall and Azaraye’h Thomas be big contributors as true freshman. They are likely the two most talented defensive backs on the roster. Would expect one if not both of them to see significant playing time this season. Overall FSU is pretty loaded here. It certainly feels like a top 25 unit nationally.
Grade: A-
DB:
There are not too many All-American candidates on the team, but Jammie Robinson could be one of them. Could certainly see him making All-ACC. Former 5 star Akeem Dent isn’t too far behind. He really appears to have come into his own the last 12 months. Behind those two Travis Jay and Sidney Williams are probably the next men up. Jay has always been an incredible athlete, but hasn’t put it all together. Williams is a vicious hitter. Shyheim Brown also has a boat load of talent, and just has to show it on the field. I also expect McClellion, Vance and Jones to play a lot at safety. Like linebacker, this unit probably could be a little deeper, but the talent there is very good.
Grade: A
Overall FSU’s defense took a nice step in the right direction last season. The big question is how much will the defense miss Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas. They were the cornerstones of last years defense. Opponents averaged 26.5 points per game in 2021, which was down 9.5 points from 2020 and the lowest since 2017 which allowed 21.5 points per game. I could certainly see the 2022 defense allowing somewhere between those two totals, although they will be challenged by several top QB’s in the ACC this season.
My grade chart..
A+ equals top 5-10 nationally
A equals top 10-20 nationally
A- equals top 20-25 nationally
B+ equals top 25-35 nationally
B equals top 35-45 nationally
B- equals top 45-55 nationally
C+ equals top 55-65 nationally
C equals top 65-75 nationally
Anything less than that is a D or F
DE: Dennis Briggs has slimmed down to 280 and should be a very solid DE, especially against the run. Derrick McClendon is experienced and could certainly be a solid starter, but transfer Jared Verse is the real X-Factor here. I do not think we should expect Jermaine Johnson here, especially this season, but he could still be a very big contributor here. Behind these three is where it gets interesting. Leonard Warner has been here forever, and brings experience, but youngsters Patrick Payton and Byron Turner are the ones to keep an eye on. It would be huge if one or both can step up. George Wilson is another one, but he needs to gain significant weight. Probably should expect much production from true freshman Aaron Hester or Dante Anderson this season. I do not think this unit will be elite, but could still be one of the best in the ACC.
Grade: B-
DT: Robert Cooper is the big man in the room here, literally, and figuratively. We should expect an All-ACC type season from him. Fabien Lovett also falls into this category. Both should be playing on Sundays in a year from now. Behind them it gets a little murky, but both Malcom Ray and Jarrett Jackson showed flashes at times last year. I personally have high hopes for Joshua Farmer and would not be surprised to see him move to second team. Not sure what to expect from Shambre Jackson. Would not be surprised to see him move out to DE. True freshman Daniel Lyons, Bishop Thomas and Ayobami Tifase all have a boat load of talent. Odell will bring them along slowly, but do not be surprised to see them make some waves as the season progresses. This should be one of the top DT groups in the nation.
Grade: A
LB: Getting Tatum Bethune to transfer from UCF was a huge boost to this unit. He should be a major contributor and leader to the team. Kalen Deloach also emerged in 2021. Both could be All-ACC caliber linebackers. Brendan Gant moving to linebacker is intriguing to me. I really think he has potential to be a very good player still. Amari Gainer seems to be what he is at this point. A above average player but has limitations. Stephen Dix and DJ Lundy are both old school thumpers. Like what they bring from a physicality standpoint, especially down by the goal line or in run defense. I was a big fan of Omar Graham out of high school and think he will eventually be a solid player for us. Not a ton of depth here, but we typically only play 2 linebackers at any given time. This unit is certainly better than it was a few years ago.
Grade: B-
CB:
It appears Duke Cooper has stepped up as the top, shutdown corner on the roster. He really flashed last season. As did Kevin Knowles. I believe they will be the top two corners on the team this season. Would not be shocked if either received All-ACC attention this year. Renardo Green has stepped up as probably a part-time starter or at least someone that will get a lot of action in nickel packages. After those three there is some seasons vets such as Jarrion Jones, Jarques McClellion, Greedy Vance who transferred over from power 5 schools. They can all play safety as well, which provides depth. The darkhorse could be former 5 star Demorie Tate who has been a ghost since he has arrived in Tallahassee. The real question is can freshman national recruits Sam McCall and Azaraye’h Thomas be big contributors as true freshman. They are likely the two most talented defensive backs on the roster. Would expect one if not both of them to see significant playing time this season. Overall FSU is pretty loaded here. It certainly feels like a top 25 unit nationally.
Grade: A-
DB:
There are not too many All-American candidates on the team, but Jammie Robinson could be one of them. Could certainly see him making All-ACC. Former 5 star Akeem Dent isn’t too far behind. He really appears to have come into his own the last 12 months. Behind those two Travis Jay and Sidney Williams are probably the next men up. Jay has always been an incredible athlete, but hasn’t put it all together. Williams is a vicious hitter. Shyheim Brown also has a boat load of talent, and just has to show it on the field. I also expect McClellion, Vance and Jones to play a lot at safety. Like linebacker, this unit probably could be a little deeper, but the talent there is very good.
Grade: A
Overall FSU’s defense took a nice step in the right direction last season. The big question is how much will the defense miss Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas. They were the cornerstones of last years defense. Opponents averaged 26.5 points per game in 2021, which was down 9.5 points from 2020 and the lowest since 2017 which allowed 21.5 points per game. I could certainly see the 2022 defense allowing somewhere between those two totals, although they will be challenged by several top QB’s in the ACC this season.
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