Just one year ago, the Florida State Seminoles boasted one of the most formidable defenses in all of college football. Fresh off an undefeated regular season and an ACC championship, the Seminoles seemed poised to compete for a national title in 2024. Fast forward to today, and the picture could not be more different. Mired in a shocking 1-9 campaign, Florida State’s once-vaunted defense has become a liability, prompting head coach Mike Norvell to fire defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and two other assistants in a desperate attempt to right the ship.
So, how did things unravel so quickly for the Seminoles? A closer examination of the defensive struggles reveals a perfect storm of roster turnover, scheme breakdowns, and a lack of depth that has left Florida State scrambling for answers.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
To understand the magnitude of Florida State’s defensive collapse, one need only look at the metrics. According to ESPN’s Max Olson, the Seminoles currently rank 109th out of 134 FBS teams in defensive stop rate, getting stops on just 52.4% of drives. That’s a staggering drop from their No. 5 ranking in the same category at the end of the 2023 season.
The Seminoles have plummeted in virtually every major defensive statistic. Points allowed per drive? From 13th to 109th. Third-down defense? From 6th to 120th. Scoring defense? From 8th to 61st. By any measure, this is a unit that has gone from elite to utterly porous in the span of a few months.
Roster Attrition Takes Its Toll
A significant factor in Florida State’s defensive woes can be traced to the massive roster turnover from 2023 to 2024. According to sources close to the program, 11 of the top 22 players from last year’s ACC title game two-deep depth chart are no longer with the team. That includes:
- Five NFL draft picks
- Three graduating seniors
- Three outgoing transfers
In total, the Seminoles had to replace a staggering 319 career starts on defense. While Fuller and his staff attempted to patch the holes with portal additions, the new pieces have yet to gel, and the lack of depth has been exposed week after week.
Offensive Woes Compound Problems
As bad as the Florida State defense has been, it’s worth noting that the offense hasn’t done them any favors. The Seminoles rank dead last in FBS in scoring offense at a paltry 13.3 points per game, and have the worst three-and-out rate (42%) among Power 4 schools.
In addition, Norvell and his staff will need to hit the recruiting trail hard, both in the high school ranks and the transfer portal. Restocking the depth chart with quality players at every position will be essential to avoid a repeat of this year’s collapse.
Finally, the Seminoles must hope that the offense can take a step forward in 2025, alleviating some of the burden on the defense. If FSU can find a way to sustain drives and put points on the board, it will give the new defensive coordinator a fighting chance to turn things around.
Make no mistake, the road back to defensive dominance will be a long one for Florida State. But with the right hires, a renewed commitment to recruiting, and a bit of offensive improvement, there’s reason to believe the Seminoles can once again strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.
In addition, Norvell and his staff will need to hit the recruiting trail hard, both in the high school ranks and the transfer portal. Restocking the depth chart with quality players at every position will be essential to avoid a repeat of this year’s collapse.
Finally, the Seminoles must hope that the offense can take a step forward in 2025, alleviating some of the burden on the defense. If FSU can find a way to sustain drives and put points on the board, it will give the new defensive coordinator a fighting chance to turn things around.
Make no mistake, the road back to defensive dominance will be a long one for Florida State. But with the right hires, a renewed commitment to recruiting, and a bit of offensive improvement, there’s reason to believe the Seminoles can once again strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.
This ineptitude has put enormous pressure on the defense, forcing them to play from behind on 65% of snaps. Without any semblance of offensive support, even a competent defense would struggle, let alone one as depleted as Florida State’s.
Where Do the Seminoles Go From Here?
The first step in rebuilding Florida State’s once-proud defense will be nailing the defensive coordinator hire. Head coach Mike Norvell must find someone who can not only scheme around the current personnel deficiencies, but also attract top-tier talent to Tallahassee.
In addition, Norvell and his staff will need to hit the recruiting trail hard, both in the high school ranks and the transfer portal. Restocking the depth chart with quality players at every position will be essential to avoid a repeat of this year’s collapse.
Finally, the Seminoles must hope that the offense can take a step forward in 2025, alleviating some of the burden on the defense. If FSU can find a way to sustain drives and put points on the board, it will give the new defensive coordinator a fighting chance to turn things around.
Make no mistake, the road back to defensive dominance will be a long one for Florida State. But with the right hires, a renewed commitment to recruiting, and a bit of offensive improvement, there’s reason to believe the Seminoles can once again strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.
This ineptitude has put enormous pressure on the defense, forcing them to play from behind on 65% of snaps. Without any semblance of offensive support, even a competent defense would struggle, let alone one as depleted as Florida State’s.
Where Do the Seminoles Go From Here?
The first step in rebuilding Florida State’s once-proud defense will be nailing the defensive coordinator hire. Head coach Mike Norvell must find someone who can not only scheme around the current personnel deficiencies, but also attract top-tier talent to Tallahassee.
In addition, Norvell and his staff will need to hit the recruiting trail hard, both in the high school ranks and the transfer portal. Restocking the depth chart with quality players at every position will be essential to avoid a repeat of this year’s collapse.
Finally, the Seminoles must hope that the offense can take a step forward in 2025, alleviating some of the burden on the defense. If FSU can find a way to sustain drives and put points on the board, it will give the new defensive coordinator a fighting chance to turn things around.
Make no mistake, the road back to defensive dominance will be a long one for Florida State. But with the right hires, a renewed commitment to recruiting, and a bit of offensive improvement, there’s reason to believe the Seminoles can once again strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses.
