Patrick Surtain Sr. evaluates how FSU's young players have emerged in DB room

As Florida State readies for its season opener against Georgia Tech, getting the young players in the defensive back room up to speed is a key focus.

The Seminoles have some quality veterans in the likes of Fentrell Cypress and Azareye’h Thomas, but they need to continue building out the depth chart to withstand the rigors of a full season.

“That’s the life of college football now. Guys want to get on the field,” said secondary coach Patrick Surtain Sr. “But at Florida State you want to have a room where you have 15 guys who you feel comfortable with playing. I think we’re somewhat around that number, guys who I feel comfortable with that can go in the game and give us valuable production.”

Florida State had one of the nation’s best secondary units last season, ranking 11th nationally in passing defense. The team gave up only 179.7 yards per game through the air.

Replicating that feat in 2024 won’t be easy after losing some key playmakers to the NFL Draft. Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones are both gone now. Young players will have to step up.

The players that aren’t currently starting could still get into the mix, something Surtain has been stressing.

“This football game is an unforgiving game, so I always remind the guys that they’re one play away, so always prepare like a starter,” Surtain said. “I think the guys have taken heed to that and been good this camp.”

The one thing that won’t change in Tallahassee for the young players is the expectation. There’s a certain standard players must live up to if they want to see the field.

“The expectations has always been high for them, ever since Day 1 those guys have shown that they’re good football players,” Surtain said. “Obviously some extenuating circumstances that’s caused them to take a step back, but this camp I think they’ve been really good both on and off the field. They’re getting the extra studies in, they’re learning from the older guys, they’re making plays each and every day.

“And come Aug. 24 when the pressure’s on, you’re thrown into that fire I’ve got to have trust as a coach, we’ve got to have trust as a staff that you’re going to go into the game and do the right things. So we’re just getting them prepared for that moment.”