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FSU Football Lands Spot in ESPN's Pre-Season Top 10 Defensive Rankings

The Seminoles check in one spot ahead of the LSU Tigers.

Tommy Mire

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There is a lot of hype surrounding the Florida State Seminoles heading into the 2023 season. The 'Noles are expected to field a high-powered offense, led by starting quarterback Jordan Travis, complemented by a talented group of running backs and an accomplished wide receiver corps consisting of both seasoned returners and top transfers from the previous season. 

READ MORE: FSU Football Quarterback Jordan Travis Did Not Throw At Manning Passing Academy

On the other side of the ball, the defense is expected to be dominant, and ESPN, who recently released their top 10 defenses heading into next season, has the Seminoles taking the No. 7 spot. 

The defense will be fielding playmakers up and down the board. Upfront, players like All-American team sack leader Jared Verse, All-ACC selection Fabien Lovett Sr., 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Payton and Joshua Farmer combined for 22 of the team's 44 sacks last season per Pro Football Focus. They are joined by transfers Braden Fiske and Gilber Edmond, who were ranked No. 2 overall at their position in the NCAA Transfer Portal, with Darrell Jackson Jr. coming in at No. 7.

Backing them up will be All-ACC linebacker Tatum Bethune who is the team's leading returning tackler alongside Kalen DeLoach and DJ Lundy. The trio combined for 10 sacks and 140 tackles. 

In the defensive backfield, FSU returns Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones and Kevin Knowles II, as well as Shyheim Brown, Azareye'h Thomas and Greedy Vance, Jr., from a group that had the nation's 4th-best pass defense in 2022. They also will be joined by the No. 1 transfer at his position in Fentrell Cypress II

With the season opener against LSU on September 3 rapidly approaching, there is little to suggest that the No. 7 and No. 8 pre-season defenses won't be a focal point for a clash of the Titans. 

READ MORE: Seminoles Take The Lead For Four-Star Wide Receiver Elijah Moore Ahead Of Upcoming Decision

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Tommy Mire
TOMMY MIRE

Tommy Mire joined NoleGameday in 2023 as a writer and editor. He initially worked as lead voice at SBNation's Tomahawk Nation and contributes to football, NFL and recruiting coverage. Connect with Tommy on Twitter at @TommyM3III

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