Adam Fuller provides insight into Florida State's ability to force takeaways throughout spring

Florida State defensive coordinator Adam Fuller is heading into his fourth season as the leader of the ‘Noles defensive unit. This spring, the focus has been on ball disruption for the Seminoles. During his most recent press conference, the Seminoles’ defensive coordinator discussed turnovers and how he really preaches to his team to focus more on the habits that create them.

Adam Fuller and the FSU coaches are more focused on habits

“Yeah, you know, takeaways come. Sometimes you could be in the wrong position and they throw you the ball and you can jump on it. Sometimes there are unforced errors, but we all count them. We’re more focused as a staff of the habits that create them. You know, those are ball distractions, those are ball disruptions, those are physical takeaways, those are capitalizing on loose balls and mistakes. Those are near sideline recoveries. Those are tipped balls. Those are outside hand waves. Those are so many things,” Fuller said.

“So, what we do is, we try to rep that throughout the offseason. So they quantify. Now, those players get older. It’s repetition. It is a learned skill. There are some natural guys around the ball, but you think it’s a learned trait. And I know this. The faster and the more physical you are, the more takeaways that usually come. So, within depth. Within experience, and within comfortability of the scheme you can play faster…” Fuller noted.

“We chart ball disruptions, and takeaway attempts as much as we can….But it’s the volume and the quality of the other ones that will create the numbers down the line. So, those are the things we harp on. I’ve had years where we’ve been in the top 10 in the country. I’ve had years when we’ve dropped down numbers. I try not to judge it by the totality of numbers. I try to judge it on habits. Those are getting better,” the Florida State defensive coordinator said.

Florida State is coming off an exciting 2022 campaign in which they finished 10-3 overall. It was the program’s first 10-win season since 2016. They’ll open up their 2023 campaign with the LSU Tigers. That one will be played on Sept. 3. Last season, the Seminoles forced 16 total turnovers–ranking them tied for 84th in the country in the stat. But like Fuller said, turnovers are an incredibly fluky stat.

It’ll be interesting to see if the ‘Noles can repeat last season’s success, because they sure do have plenty of exciting talent returning.