TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – One of the reasons we love this game is its constant state of evolution, something that Mike Norvell's coaching staff at Florida State is familiar with. Not long ago, the Seminoles were riding high at the top of the sport before being spurned by the College Football Playoff selection committee, sending them on a downward trajectory that has persisted for the past two seasons.
Florida State seemed to be at the cutting edge of the ACC in both its roster construction and scheme. But when the rest of the conference caught up, that evolution didn't come in time from Norvell's staff, including former defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, who was relieved of his duties after the Seminoles got out to a 1-9 start in 2024.
While many of Florida State's shortcomings can be attributed to an offense that has lacked consistency, the Seminoles also struggled to keep their opponents out of the end zone when they've most desperately needed to. In 2023, Florida State ranked among college football's best defenses – a top 20 unit in both points per game (19.3) and yards per play (5.0) allowed – as Norvell cruised to a 13-0 start and an ACC championship. But in 2024, those ranks plummeted to 87th (28.0) and 84th (5.8), respectively, as it all came tumbling down and the Seminoles took home just a pair of wins.
As Norvell searched for his defense's new leader ahead of last season, he decided to reach outside his tree, drawing Tony White from Matt Rhule's staff at Nebraska to pull the strings on that side of the ball. With him, White brought something that has long been ingrained in his football career, but a new element that Tallahassee hadn't yet seen.
Instead of the standard 4-2-5 nickel defense that the Seminoles operated from under Fuller, White favored a unique 3-3-5 look – utilizing a trio of safeties to range over the top while playing with their eyes to the football to attack downhill. White comes from a long lineage of three-safety defenses, but it's something that's gained prominence at every level of the sport as coordinators attempt to keep up with the ever-evolving offensive game.
In the NFL, Mike Macdonald's combination of Julian Love, Coby Bryant, and Nick Emmanwori led his Seattle Seahawks to the franchise's second Super Bowl title. His former team – the Baltimore Ravens – saw their defense improve by 17 points and 76.9 yards allowed per game after a midseason trade paired Alohi Gilman with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and first-round pick Malaki Starks.
At the collegiate level, the Ohio State Buckeyes thoroughly dismantled the Oregon Ducks on the first day of 2025 at the Rose Bowl by placing All-American Caleb Downs in the middle of their defense. Then last fall, after plucking Chicago Bears' first-round pick Dillon Thieneman out of the transfer portal, the Ducks assigned him Downs' responsibilities as Jadon Canady seamlessly floated between the nickel and free safety positions – providing a different look to offenses while accentuating their players' strengths.
It's even proliferated into the high school ranks, with recent safety commit Ta'Shawn Poole (the top-rated player in Norvell's 2027 class) expected to work from a similar structure at Macon's Howard High this fall.
The idea behind it is simple: match the evolving schemes of modern offenses without needing to substitute personnel. But in practice, it can be more difficult than it sounds, requiring intelligent, versatile players who can hybridize their game for whatever is needed of them, which Poole looks like the next in line to do.
Although the floor was low after a disastrous 2024, the results were nearly immediate in 2025. A Week 1 win over Alabama shot expectations to unrealistic levels, but even as the Seminoles came crashing back to Earth, White's defense delivered a significant improvement over the previous season. Florida State ranked as the 43rd best scoring defense (22.0 ppg) and 28th in yards allowed per play (5.0, the same mark as 2023's ACC Championship unit).
As White settles into his second season leading the Seminoles' defense, his desire for players who can provide that versatility is evident. Expected to compete for starting safety spots alongside incumbent Ashlynd Barker are transfers Ma'Khi Jones (Duke) and CJ Richard Jr. (Illinois State) – both of whom spent at least five percent of their snaps over the top, in the box, and in the slot last season.
There is plenty that Norvell will be counting on to go right this fall, but an improved defense from his second-year coordinator isn't at the top of his list of concerns. He mentioned the steps that White's defenses have taken in Year 2 when speaking at ACC Kickoff last week in Charlotte, and knows that there is still room for growth from his secondary as they continue to understand the intricacies of White's system.
"Some of those guys have young experience with still multiple years ahead," Norvell said. "Ma'Khi Jones, CJ, those guys have played early in their careers, but those guys are going to be really good football players here. Ashlynd has. Even a year ago, we knew that Rover could potentially be a great fit for him if that ever needed to be presented."
White's players have taken a liking to his defense as well, with returners like cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls noting last week the comfort provided by keeping eyes on the quarterback. Rawls says that White's system has allowed the Seminoles to play fast and with more freedom, and as his new teammates adjust to the scheme, he has seen impressive effort as one of the secondary's veterans and expected leaders on the field this fall.
"What stands out to me is their work ethic," Rawls said of Florida State's transfer class at ACC Kickoff. "How they came in ready to compete at the start."
As Norvell mentioned at ACC Kickoff, Barker is expected to step into this season's Rover role, occupied by Earl Little Jr. last fall. Barker's physicality and strength in the box will allow him to step up as a pseudo-linebacker against the run, while Richard, making the leap from the FCS level, will most likely fill into the boundary safety position that Barker played as a redshirt junior, with Jones' coverage chops taking the field-side. Versatility will be a key for the Seminoles, as a positionless secondary would allow them to match up with the variety of looks offenses will throw at them this fall, and Novell's staff knows it will be one of the main reasons for the results they're looking for in the win column.