Driven by a collective desperation and uncompromising accountability, Florida State’s secondary embraces a grueling camp as veteran leadership and fresh coaching perspectives sharpen the team's mental edge.
As fall camp continues for the Florida State football program, coaches and players are observing progress and a different attitude toward their jobs at their respective positions.
One player, safety K.J. Kirkland, verbalized those observations at a post-practice media availability.
Kirkland was asked about what is different about this year from past years, “Just a group ready to buy in, that wants to buy in,” said Kirkland. “They want better for themselves and I feel the desperation on all three levels, the defense, the offense, the coaches, everybody is desperate.”
While the Seminoles defense finished last season ranked among the top 30 in total defense, there were times when Florida State lost that mental toughness and focus late in games, resulting in four close losses. That lack of focus when you are tired and feel like you cannot go another step is the difference between a losing season of 5-7 and a successful 9-3 campaign.
“There is no drop off. Everybody holds themselves accountable and there’s nobody that can’t be held accountable. From freshmen to seniors, fifth-years, it doesn’t matter. If you’re slacking off, it’s gonna be addressed,” Kirkland said.
As the Seminoles concluded another camp practice, Kirkland was coaching up the younger players, helping to get them acclimated to the collegiate game, and instructing them on the importance of the fall camp practice sessions.
“Today is a big mental day,” said Kirkland. “As you can see, it’s hot out here. I had to get back acclimated to the weather, I know if I’m tired, everyone else is tired. Even though you may be zeroed out physically, you have talk to yourself mentally.”
Kirkland, working as a boundary safety in camp, has been in the Seminoles defensive system since 2023. Seeing action in 29 career games, Kirkland is a logical choice to be a leader in the defensive secondary when his number is called. Kirkland posted 31 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack last season.
“We got to snap back, tell yourself you can get through it, it’s not gonna get any hotter than this. This is why we are here. It’s supposed to be intense, it’s supposed to be hard, we are out here for a reason. Just having that mindset that we have to get through it, get to the next play,” said Kirkland.
A bonus for Kirkland and his fellow defensive backs in this year’s camp has been the presence of newly hired assistant Tom Herman. According to Kirkland, Herman sits in the back of the meeting room with his feet propped up, and adds a different sort of perspective.
Herman, a former head coach at Houston, Texas and Florida Atlantic with a knack for getting the very best out of his quarterbacks, gives looks at the defensive secondary from a quarterback’s eyes.
He talks about a quarterback’s mannerisms on passing downs, what the defensive backs should be looking for and what they should react to. Herman’s presence this season has been praised by both players and coaches.
Kirkland describes the defensive backs as a close-knit group that shows a sense of togetherness. They come to practice each day ready to work, put in the effort, and execute. If a player is slacking off, Kirkland said they will be called out on it. Accountability is another buzzword emanating from fall camp; players are being held accountable by both the coaches and each other.
As fall camp continues, it appears the Seminoles defense is making great strides to get better and improve every day.
