National champion Florida State lost defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to Georgia in the offseason but head coach Jimbo Fisher says the transition with new defensive coordinator Charles Kelly has been seamless.
“Same terminology, same defense, same everything,” Fisher said.
Kelly, a former Georgia Tech assistant, coached linebackers and special teams for the Seminoles before taking over the defense. FSU is halfway through spring drills.
“Defense did some real nice things,” Fisher said after Wednesday’s drills. “I see some really athletic guys over there. At all three levels, front, linebackers and secondary.”
The Seminoles, who had 11 players drafted by NFL teams a year ago, are expected to have another prominent group selected in May. Kelly has several holes to fill on defense, where tackle Timmy Jernigan, linebackers Telvin Smith and Christian Jones and defensive backs Lamarcus Joyner and Terrence Brooks are among those expected to be early draft picks this year.
While the Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston led-offense averaged 51.6 points a game during Florida State’s 14-0 title run, the defense limited opponents to 12.1 points a game — with many of those points being scored long after the outcome was decided.
Fisher wants to keep it that way and believes he has the players to achieve that goal.
“We have a talented team,” he said. “It’s how they jell, how they mature in wanting to be consistent.”
Fisher listed several players that he believes will be among the next wave of defenders to keep the Seminoles on top.
He was particularly high on rising sophomore defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who started all 14 games as a freshman for the Atlantic Coast Conference and national champion Seminoles.
“Jalen can do about anything he wants to do,” Fisher said. “He’s playing safety, he’s playing nickel, he’s player corner. He knows all three positions. He’s so athletic.”
Fisher also praised his returning secondary.
“We have a lot of guys that can play,” said Nate Andrews, a rising sophomore who led the Seminoles with four interceptions last year. “It feels like we can pick up where we left off.”
His coach doesn’t disagree, but notes last year is history.
“We can’t worry about that,” he said. “Go play the games (2014). Hunt a new championship.”
The fifth-year Florida State coach also praised the spring performance of defensive lineman Eddie Goldman, linebackers Terrance Smith, and Ukeme Eligwe, along with running back Karlos Williams, who switched from safety to tailback last season.
Fisher also said Winston would practice with the team this weekend, but is scheduled to fly to Boston to help the baseball team take on Boston College in an ACC series that is scheduled to be played at Rhode Island University because of weather conditions in Beantown.
“We’ll get him back up there for the games,” said Fisher, who has compiled a 45-10 record after replacing an aging Bobby Bowden following the 2009 season.
Florida State has won 28 of its last 30 games, including 16 straight coming off its come-from-behind win over Auburn in the national title game.
The Seminoles’ annual spring game is scheduled April 12.
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