Fabien Lovett on defensive approach: I want opponents scared to line up

The Florida State Seminoles are trying to get the program back to where it once was, one of college football’s perennial powers. If that seems like a distant memory, that’s because it has become the reality of the situation. The last time the ‘Noles were relevant in the college football landscape was when they won 10 games back in 2016–finishing their season off with a 33-32 Orange Bowl victory over the Michigan Wolverines. If FSU is going to return to glory, they’ll need defenders like their mammoth defensive tackle Fabien Lovett to step up. The 6-foot-4, 318-pounder took some time recently at ACC Media Days to talk about his approach and his attitude to the game.

“My approach to the game is just to be dominant. Just when somebody else — when the next team prepares to watch my film be like, whoa, you get down in front of me, you’re scared to line up, you shake in your stance. I see that a lot when I play, but that’s what I want,” Lovett said.

“When the offensive line lines up in front of me or a guard lines up in front of me, they know I’m going to bring the power, they know I’m going to bring the dominance.” Lovett said.

The sophomore was a welcome addition for Mike Norvell and company in 2021 in his second season since transferring from Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Last season in 11 games, the gifted defensive tackle racked up 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also closed out the season with 28 total tackles.

In 2020, Lovett made his debut for Florida State, appearing in eight games with two starts and he tallied 14 tackles, including 1.5 for loss with one sack. He registered a career-high five tackles, including one for loss, at North Carolina State.

Before making the move to join the Seminoles, Lovett made 13 starts in 15 games for the Bulldogs in the SEC, and recorded 19 tackles, with 2.5 for loss and a sack.

With Jermaine Johnson II moving on to NFL riches with the New York Jets, the Seminoles will need somebody on their defensive line to pick up the slack in getting after the quarterback.

The Florida State Seminoles kickoff their 2022-2023 season with the Duquesne Dukes on August 27th. Kickoff for that one is slated for 5:00 PM EST.