Photo courtesy of Florida State athletics
The Florida State defensive backfield seems to be in great shape entering the 2022 season.
Four of the Seminoles’ five starters are returning from last season. As the 2021 campaign went on, the secondary showed tremendous improvement.
Our position preview series continues with the FSU defensive backs:
Defensive Backs on the Roster:
Jarques McClellion, RS Sr.
Jammie Robinson, RS Jr.
Akeem Dent, RS Jr.
Jarrian Jones, RS Jr.
Renardo Green, RS Jr.
Travis Jay, RS Soph.
Greedy Vance, RS Soph.
Sidney Williams, RS Soph.
Demorie Tate, RS Soph.
Omarion Cooper, Soph.
Kevin Knowles II, Soph.
Shyheim Brown, RS Fr.
Jaden Floyd, RS Fr. (walk-on)
Sam McCall, Fr.
Azareye’h Thomas, Fr.
Christian White, Fr. (walk-on)
Harold Stubbs IV (walk-on)
Alex Williams (walk-on)
Analysis
The light switch started to activate for the Seminoles’ defensive backs in the second half of the home contest against Louisville last September. Florida State’s defense held the dynamic offense of the Cardinals scoreless after halftime in a 31-23 loss. A key factor in the turnaround over the final half of the season may have been the switch of defensive back Jammie Robinson from nickel cornerback to BUCK safety.
Robinson was named first-team All-ACC for his performance during the 2021 season where he led the team in total tackles (84) and with four interceptions. Florida State added two four-star defensive back prospects in the 2022 recruiting cycle in Sam McCall and Azareye’h Thomas. It also acquired former Louisville cornerback Greedy Vance using the transfer portal.
Even with the amount of talent at the position group, the Seminoles have to play against some very talented ACC quarterbacks such as Louisville’s Malik Cunningham, Boston College’s Phil Jurkovec, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman, NC State’s Devin Leary and Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke. On paper, FSU looks great in the secondary. We’ll see how the Seminoles hold up against the conference’s best.