Fabien Lovett addresses replacing both pass rushers from defense
Florida State is one of the few defenses in the country that will bring back all but two starters from last season. But, the two starters the Seminoles lost were huge pieces in their run stopping and pass rush game in Keir Thomas and Jermaine Johnson. Johnson was the ACC defensive player of the year last year and a first round draft pick, but the duo of Johnson and Thomas last season combined for 112 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, and 27 quarterback hurries.
That’s a lot of production lost, and at ACC media day defensive tackle Fabien Lovett was asked about who fans should expect to fill those empty shoes.
“We have Derrick McLendon, Jared Verse, Dennis Briggs who are also great players. It took them some time to shine. It’s a process. You’re not going to get everything overnight. Football is a process. It’s a learning experience. But as far as our D-ends we have McLendon, Verse, Dennis Briggs, Leonard and some young guys that will play a big role for us this year,” Lovett said.
McLendon made the most of his snaps last season and made some big plays for the Noles as a reserve defensive end finishing the season with 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery, it will be interesting to see what he does this season with a more increased role. Briggs played the first four games of last season before suffering a season-ending injury, and Verse is a new transfer from Albany where he was an FCS Freshman All-American. Both could bring new energy and production up front for Florida State that wasn’t there last season.
Fabien Lovett details what he learned from Jermaine Johnson
Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson enjoyed such a great 2021 campaign that the New York Jets deemed him worthy of a first round pick and snatched him up on day one of the 2022 NFL Draft. Now, the question remains: who will replace Johnson at FSU as the leader along the defensive line? One obvious candidate is Fabien Lovett.
The 315-pound defensive tackle is entering his fourth season of college ball, and his third at Florida State. After playing significant rotation minutes last season, Lovett is ready to step into the spotlight in Tallahassee. Not without a few tips from Jermaine Johnson though. The Seminole DT learned plenty from his star predecessor.
At ACC Media Days last week, Lovett answered questions on that exact subject. What did he learn from the future first-round pick last season when they shared the defensive line?
Here were Lovett’s comments regarding the question:
“I’ve learned a lot from Jermaine. He is one of the guys that helped me click and have a break-out game and understand the importance of my growth and the dominance that I can have and that I will have.”
Lovett emphasized just how important teamwork and communication along the defensive front is.
“He showed me what it’s like to have somebody on the outside of you that helps some when you get double-teams, the guy that makes the plays that you can make also.”
This upcoming season, Lovett needs to to help replace Johnson’s production along the line, but also step up as a leader like Johnson was for last year’s team.
“As far as me being a leader, I’ve grown tremendously with the help much Coach Norvell and Coach Odell and the guys and having better relationships with them. It’s all about being able to be respected. Also being able to show the same respect that you want from others.”
Sounds like Fabien Lovett should be in for a huge season. Perhaps ‘Noles fans will be talking about him as a first round selection this time next summer.