Alabama Soccer 2026: Previewing the Florida State Protection
Let’s be up entrance and sincere: the Florida State Seminole protection has been fairly dangerous to start out this season. They gave up 17 factors and practically 300 passing yards to New Mexico State within the season opener, then adopted that up by giving up 430 passing yards to SMU final week in a loss. They do have 3 interceptions by means of two video games, although, so it is not as dangerous because it could possibly be, I suppose.
DC Tony White returns after a 12 months with combined ends in 2025. A 12 months in the past, I mentioned this in our examine on White’s scheme:
Just like with their with the offense, the Seminoles additionally completely overhauled their protection to enter the 2025 season after giving up an atrocious 28 factors per recreation final 12 months. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller was fired, and the Noles employed Tony White from Nebraska. White was an enormous rent for FSU, as he is received a number of Recruiter of the Year awards and has been a Broyles Award nominee a few instances at each Nebraska and Syracuse.
White brings a 3-3-5 stack defensive scheme to the Noles, and I’ll lean on our brethren at Tomahawk Nation for some distinctive items they’ve written on the protection.
The wanting it’s that they’ll blitz, a LOT. The formations will likely be pretty versatile relying on the gamers within the recreation, however they will be blitzing from each angle doable in an try and maintain the offensive line confused.
As with most groups lately, FSU has largely turned over their beginning solid from final 12 months, however a couple of key gamers have returned. Chief amongst them is defensive sort out Mandrell Desir, who led the staff with 6.5 sacks a 12 months in the past on his technique to incomes a nod as a Freshman All-American. His twin brother, Darryll, can also be now a starter on the road as effectively.
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At linebacker, Ryan Kennedy has transferred in from Texas A&M as a multi-year contributor as a rotational go rusher with 3.5 sacks for the Aggies, and Chris Jones has transferred in from Southern Miss to play the center linebacker after being named a 1st staff All-Sun Belt participant a 12 months in the past whereas racking up 134 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
They did lose Earl Little Jr. to Ohio State (man that man actually likes to switch, huh?). But veteran Ashlynd Barker retains his security position as a multiyear starter, as does nook again Ja’Bril Rawls, who began 7 video games final 12 months and did break up one go vs Alabama. They’ve additionally introduced in CJ Richard from the FCS ranks as a man who was an FCS Freshman All-American and is seeking to present himself within the subsequent league up.
If there have been ever a “get proper” recreation for Alabama’s Keelon Russell, this ought to be it. The Noles’ go rush has been subsequent to non-existent, they usually’ve allowed 700 passing yards already by means of two video games. Their dashing protection has been respectable, although, for what’s that value. They’re solely permitting 3.7 yards per carry, and Southern Miss switch linebacker Chris Jones looks like he will be an enormous piece for them.
Now, granted, I wasn’t too bought on this unit a 12 months in the past, and Alabama’s offense struggled with them some, however I feel they’ve backslid since then, and this will likely be in Tuscaloosa, with the Tide already having a few video games to heat up.
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I feel this winds up being the Keelon Russell breakout recreation we have been in search of, with the younger QB throwing for over 300 yards and the Tide scoring one thing like 35 factors or so.
