Living up to what last season’s defense accomplished would have been a tall task for Florida State. In 2013, the Seminoles yielded the fewest points-per-game in the country and held seven of its 14 opponents to single digits scoring.
It’s no surprise that the 2014 Seminoles are not as good defensively, but with all the talent on that side of the football, they were expected to be better. Florida State ranks just 10th in the ACC in total defense and for a team that has never had an issue getting to the quarterback, FSU ranks just 103rd nationally in sacks.
Injuries to the defensive line and at linebacker have certainly hampered Florida State, but perhaps the biggest thing missing from last year’s squad has been leadership.
Florida State lost very vocal players from last year’s team like linebacker Telvin Smith and All-American cornerback Lamarcus Joyner along with fellow seniors, Terrence Brooks and Christian Jones.
While there is no shortage of talent on the defensive side of the football this season for FSU, leadership and experience are not easily replaced. After having seven or eight seniors a season ago that saw significant playing time on defense, Desmond Hollin is the only Seminole senior that regularly sees snaps on that side of the ball and his increase in reps has come primarily to injury.
Whether it’s been busted coverages or occasional lacks in enthusiasm, the lack of leadership has been evident for FSU. But in Florida State’s 30-26 thrilling comeback win over Miami, there was little doubt as to which player willed the Seminoles defensively in the second half.
For sophomore safety Jalen Ramsey, Saturday’s rivalry victory was one to remember. Ramsey recorded a tackle for loss, had a blocked extra point, four passes defended and the interception with less than a minute to play that sealed the victory.
It wasn’t Ramsey’s play alone however that propelled Florida State’s strong second half effort. Ramsey was vocal as well. With Florida State trailing by double-digits in the third quarter, it was Ramsey who let Miami know the Seminoles would be there for four quarters after swatting down a Brad Kaaya pass at the line of scrimmage.
While Ramsey’s clapping near Miami’s players faces may have sent the wrong message to some, it let his Florida State teammates and the fan base know the Seminoles were far from finished.
Ramsey has become the vocal leader that Florida State sorely needed, but his play on the field has always spoken for itself. Last season, Ramsey showed his selflessness by moving from cornerback to safety to compensate for Tyler Hunter’s season-ending neck injury.
He’s been there ever since and has done just about everything for the Seminoles. Ramsey is currently tied for the team-lead this season in interceptions and forced fumbles, but also ranks in the the top three on the team in terms of tackles, tackles for loss and even sacks.
Ramsey’s intensity has never been questioned. In fact, Ramsey was even kicked out of practice by Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher for being too intense while scrimmaging against the starting offense.
As Florida State rallied from two 16-point deficits Saturday night to top Miami and improve to 10-0, the Seminoles needed every bit of Ramsey’s intensity. As FSU continues to make its push toward college football’s first playoff, it’s unlikely the Florida State defense will be able to shore up all of its issues, but finding a vocal and emotional leader on that side of the ball is no longer one of them.
