Florida State’s defense finished the 2025 season with a bad taste in its mouth after being defeated by arch-rival Florida, 40-21, as star running back Jadan Baugh had 38 carries for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defensive line and linebackers were thought to be the problem.
The defensive line is still a question mark, obviously. However, the linebackers have largely improved under the guidance of assistant coach and former Seminole Ernie Sims. Fans didn’t think the defensive backs would be much of a problem, even with losing Earl Little Jr. to Ohio State.
The Seminoles brought back productive pieces such as Ja’Bril Rawls, Ashlynd Barker, and Quindarrius Jones. They also added Nehemiah Chandler, CJ Richard Jr., and Ma’Khi Jones via the transfer portal.
One of the bigger question marks about the coaching changes was the firing of defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. He was well liked amongst the locker room, recruited at an elevated level, had the experience of coaching and playing at the NFL level, and his unit was serviceable.
The biggest conflict for Surtain Sr. was that he preferred his cornerbacks to play primarily man-to-man coverage, but defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme called for more zone coverage.
It can’t get much worse than Florida State’s passing defense this season
I want everyone to shield their eyes when I say this: Florida State’s defense is 136th out of 137 teams in passing yards allowed per game (340.7), which is only behind Texas State.
That is not the standard of the Seminoles, who have had some outstanding defensive backs in their school’s history, such as Deion Sanders, Terrell Buckley, Leroy Butler, Xavier Rhodes, Antonio Cromartie, Derwin James, Jalen Ramsey, and so many others.
New Mexico State’s quarterback Trey Hedden had 272 passing yards against Florida State in the opener, which is still the most that he has had in their three games.
The Seminoles will be welcoming sophomore left-handed signal-caller Donovyn Omolo to Tallahassee. Omolo is more of a threat with his legs in that he has recorded 47 carries for 360 yards and 2 touchdowns this year.
With that said, the southpaw isn’t afraid to unleash it downfield. The good news for Florida State’s secondary is that Omolo is coming off a 27-9 road loss to Southeast Missouri State, where he had only 12 completions on 27 attempts for 98 yards and 2 interceptions. The Seminoles have to make him feel uncomfortable and get pressure on him from defensive linemen such as Mandrell and Darryll Desir, Rylan Kennedy, and Kevin Wynn.
I don’t want to beat the secondary down too much, but things have to get better in a hurry before the conference slate begins, and Central Arkansas is a perfect opportunity to get right.