Tony White is making it a priority for Florida State football’s defense to force more turnovers next season.
The Seminoles defensive coordinator consistently emphasized the need for turnovers during his first season with the program, a year that finished 5-7 for FSU. The defense nabbed 12 interceptions and forced seven fumbles, yet only two were recovered.
The defense has forced multiple interceptions and forced fumbles in the three spring scrimmages. With spring practice concluding on Wednesday, April 15, White said the defense is getting more takeaways at this point in the spring than it did last year.
“Definitely way more takeaways so far this spring than there was last spring,” White said. “A lot of that is the secondary guys. The guys who were here last year are maturing and putting themselves in a better position to make plays. The new guys coming over with the attitude like ‘Hey, we are coming to play.”
Forcing turnovers a weak point for FSU football
A lack of consistency in turning the ball over was one of the bigger issues for the Seminoles. It led to opponents sustaining drives against the Seminoles, with multiple 10-plus play drives given up in multiple games.
It wasn’t for lack of opportunities. The aforementioned two recovered on seven forced fumbles, paired with moments where potential interceptions were dropped, allowed opponents second chances, something that is often punished at the collegiate level.
With a reshaped defense, and new players like Duke transfer defensive back Ma’Khi Jones, Southern Miss linebacker Chris Jones, and more transfers and prep prospects, the unit is more tailored to White’s 3-3-5 scheme.
Returning players on the defensive line, like Deamontae Diggs, Darryll and Mandrell Desier, alongside transfer edge Rylan Kennedy, among others, were credited for creating pressure in the backfield that has led to more turnovers being generated.
“I think we got a little bit more edgey, twitchiness up there for pass rush… then the secondary, when they execute at a high level and playing off each other… instinctively they are getting themselves in spots that allow them to break on balls and get interceptions,” White said.
FSU football’s defense still a work in progress
While internally there is some positive momentum building defensively, the Seminoles’ defense is far from a finished product, with just 14 practices and three scrimmages under their belt.
White said the staff will refine their game plan in the summer and early days of fall to be best prepared ahead of kickoff in August.
“Going back and really looking at the situations you have. You have your studies on what else do you need to install to be good? So you go through and see what else do we need to be good to install and start coming up with that schedule,” White said.
“Then you go back and look at all the things you did in the spring. Consistently, what are we good at, and what are we bad at? If we are bad at something, is it an easy coaching fix or throw it the hell out of the playbook? You got back and reassess yourself.”
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Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tony White likes how FSU football’s defense forced turnovers in spring
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
