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KJ Kirkland on Florida State defense: 'We've got dogs on every level'

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•08/14/23
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Freshman defensive back K.J. Kirkland was very active in his first Florida State spring practice. (Gene Williams/Warchant)

Most of the offseason hype and publicity around the Florida State program has centered on quarterback Jordan Travis and the offense, but don’t sleep on the Florida State defense.

According to defensive back KJ Kirkland, the Seminoles have talent everywhere on defense.

“We’ve got dogs on every level,” Kirkland said. “You see the D-line, that’s the obvious monster in the room, just seeing that. But our secondary, we got guys everywhere.”

The defensive line is indeed the unit that should make the whole thing hum, with a handful of veterans back. Transfers will anchor the line, with former Albany star Jared Verse back and Western Michigan‘s Braden Fiske a more recent addition.

Throw in Fabien Lovett up front at nose tackle and Florida State should have a solid front.

The linebackers also boast considerable talent in Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune, two proven playmakers in the front seven.

But it’s the secondary where Kirkland is suiting up that the Florida State defense could really shine in 2023. All-ACC cornerback Fentrell Cypress was added from Virginia to help anchor the unit.

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“Guys flying around to the ball and our communication is getting better practice by practice,” Kirkland said. “So when everything starts clicking, everything starts going accordingly, plays are being made. You see we had, what, three picks today? We keep that momentum up we can go very far.”

Big week for Florida State’s transfers

It’ll be a big week for the Florida State defense’s handful of transfers, as they continue to get acclimated to everything within the program.

Coach Mike Norvell made note that those guys need to be ready for the upcoming practices now that they’ve had a chance to get their feet wet in the first half of fall camp.

“This is going to be a huge week for our football team, especially for all those guys to look back at the last nine practices and then have a great week in our progression as we continue to move forward,” Norvell said.

Florida State will open the season against LSU on Sept. 3.