3 Key Areas Defense Needs to Improve in 2024

I’ve long been a fan of FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller because I understand the early years were a combination of the pandemic halting player development in the scheme, a lack of elite talent, and an overall lack of depth on the roster. The 2023 season has largely addressed most of those deficiencies, with FSU fielding a top-10 defense (#10) according to FEI advanced metrics. The defense carried FSU when Jordan Travis was injured and would have fared well against any team in the College Football Playoff. Those who were critical of Adam Fuller early in the season were praising him in December.

It’s funny how it comes full circle when you give competent people time and fully understand complementary football. FSU had five defensive players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. We saw Jared Verse in the first round, Braden Fiske and Renardo Green in the second round, Jarrian Jones in the third round and Tatum Bethune in the seventh round. That’s almost half of the starting defense, but the good news is that there are more NFL-bound players on the roster now. There are unproven guys at certain positions, but the talent is there, just like in 2022. I don’t expect a major drop-off, and the 2023 draft had flaws. FSU’s defense excelled in many areas last year. They were among the best in tackles for a loss, points allowed, passes defended, completion percentage allowed and third down conversions. Here are three key areas the defense needs to improve in 2024.