Akeem Dent describes competition with Florida State wide receivers
Iron sharpens iron. Likewise, Florida State cornerback Akeem Dent claims Seminoles sharpen Seminoles. Specifically, the FSU redshirt senior discussed the competition between the team’s secondary and wide receivers at practice.
“I think the competition is great. They’ve got X-man-skilled players over there. So, if we don’t came as a defense, as a whole, on our A-game, they’re gonna probably win the day,” Dent said on Thursday.
Dent has enough to skill to go around. The 6-foot-1 DB appeared in all 13 games for the Seminoles last season, while tallying 12 starts. Further, Dent recorded 53 tackles, the fifth-most on the team. Dent also collected four pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.
Many outsiders expected Dent to join All-ACC safety Jammie Robinson in the 2023 NFL Draft. Nonetheless, Dent returned. Along with Dent, FSU’s other four starters in the secondary will return, laying the foundation for a strong season.
The foundation can’t get much stronger. The Seminoles’ defense allowed just 165.4 passing yards per game last season, good for fourth in the nation. Moreover, FSU boasted the No. 22 defensive passing efficiency in the country.
Dent returned for the 2023 season with one goal in mind.
“I mean, the determining factor is this is the closest I’ve ever been to getting into the Playoff with this university,” Dent said. “So, that was like, for me, a dream come true.”
FSU bound for big things
The College Football Playoff isn’t a pipe dream for the Seminoles this season. FSU broke out for 10 wins in 2022, head coach Mike Norvell‘s third season at the helm. The Seminoles sit at No. 8 in USA Today’s Preseason Coaches Poll. Norvell believes his team is worth the hype.
“I hope I’m more excited today than I was yesterday. And Lord willing, I wake up tomorrow more excited than what I was today,” Norvell said. “Every chance that we get to be together, every chance that we get to positively impact each other on this journey, there should be a sense of excitement. I’m grateful for who I get to coach, I’m grateful for who I get to coach with, (and) I’m grateful for what I get to represent. And that builds because when you pour your heart into it, when you pour your work into it, all the passion that you have, it that ownership.”
On Sept. 3, the Seminoles will show off their passion in their season opener against LSU.