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As State of Florida is preparing for the season opener against Georgia Tech InstituteOne focus is to bring the young players up to speed on defense.
The Seminoles have some good veterans like Fentrell Cypress And Azareye’h Thomasbut they need to further expand the squad depth in order to withstand the stresses of an entire season.
“That’s life in college football today. The guys want to get on the field,” said the second coach Patrick Surtain Sr“But at Florida State University, you want to have a room of 15 guys that you feel comfortable playing with. I think we’re about that number, guys that I feel comfortable with, that can play in the game and bring valuable effort.”
Florida State had one of the best secondary units in the country last season and ranked 11th in pass defense. The team allowed just 179.7 yards per game through the air.
Repeating that feat in 2024 will not be easy after losing several key playmakers in the NFL Draft. Renardo Green And Jarrian Jones are both gone. Young players have to step in.
Surtain stressed that players who are not currently in the starting eleven could still get a chance.
“This football game is a cutthroat game, so I always remind the guys that they’re one play away, so always prepare like a starter,” Surtain said. “I think the guys have taken that to heart and have been good this camp.”
The only thing that won’t change for the young players in Tallahassee is the expectations. There is a certain standard that players must meet if they want to be on the field.
“The expectations have always been high, since Day 1 these guys have shown they are good football players,” Surtain said. “Obviously there were some extenuating circumstances that made them step back, but I think in this camp they have been really good both on and off the field. They’re doing extra training, they’re learning from the older guys, they’re playing every day.
“And on August 24th, when the pressure is on, you’re thrown in at the deep end. I have to have confidence as a coach, we have to have confidence as a team that we’re going to go into the game and do the right thing. So we’re just preparing them for that moment.”
