FSU Football: Top 5 DB Performances Under Jimbo Fisher

With six years under his belt as head football coach at Florida State, there’s no questioning Jimbo Fisher’s success. Since Fisher took over in 2010, the Seminoles have managed to go 68-14 with six ranked finishes, four major bowl appearances, three ACC championship and the 2013 national title.

While FSU has played great as a whole under Fisher, there are a number of individual performances that stick out as well. In a new series, we’ll be looking at the best individual games for Seminoles to play under Fisher. We wrap up the defensive portion with the best efforts by FSU defensive backs since 2010.

5B. Xavier Rhodes vs. Clemson (Nov. 13, 2010)
Stats: 7 tackles, interception, 3 pass breakups
Okay, we added a sixth selection again, but Xavier Rhodes was too good of a player for Florida State and played too well against Clemson to leave off the list. The 2010 contest between FSU and Clemson will best be remembered for Dustin Hopkins’ 55-yard field goal as time expired to give the Seminoles a 16-13 victory, but Rhodes and the FSU defense was outstanding for most of the night. Rhodes finished with three pass breakups and an interception as Florida State held the Tigers to just two field goals after the opening drive.

5A. Nick Moody at Maryland (Nov. 20, 2010)
Stats: 13 tackles, interception, touchdown
Nick Moody not only led FSU with 13 tackles against Maryland in the 2010 ACC finale, but he sealed the victory. With the Seminoles clinging to a 23-16 lead and Maryland driving, Moody intercepted Maryland’s Danny O’Brien in the red zone and returned the pick 96 yards for a touchdown with 36 seconds remaining. The pick gave FSU a 30-16 victory and eventually a spot in the ACC Championship.

4. Nate Andrews at Wake Forest (Nov. 9, 2013)
Stats: Tackle, forced fumble, 2 interceptions, touchdown
Florida State forced seven turnovers in a 59-3 victory at Wake Forest in 2013 and freshman Nate Andrews was responsible for three of them. Andrews forced a fumble and had two interceptions, including one he returned 56 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter. It was one of three non-offensive touchdowns the Seminoles would score that day.

3. Jalen Ramsey at Miami (Nov. 15, 2014)
Stats: 3 tackles, tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, 4 pass breakups
Jalen Ramsey was all over the field in Florida State’s 30-26 victory over Miami in 2014. FSU twice trailed by 16, but was able to rally for victory and Ramsey seemed to be the spark that ignited the fire. Ramsey finished with four pass breakups and sealed the victory with an interception of Miami’s Brad Kaaya with just 39 seconds remaining.

2. Greg Reid vs. South Carolina (Dec. 31, 2010 — Chick-fil-A Bowl)
Stats: 5 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups, 53 punt return yards
Against SEC East champion South Carolina, cornerback Greg Reid set the tone early in Florida State’s 26-17 victory. On the opening drive, Reid forced a fumble with a vicious hit on South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore. Reid would add another forced fumble later on as the Seminoles would turn the Gamecocks over five times on the evening. Reid also finished with four pass breakups and averaged 26.5 yards on two punt returns en route to being named the game’s defensive MVP.

1. Lamarcus Joyner at Clemson (Oct. 19, 2013)
Stats: 8 tackles, sack, 2 forced fumbles, interception
Florida State’s 51-14 victory at No. 3 Clemson in 2013 sent a message to the nation. While Jameis Winston passed for 444 yards to lead the offense, there was no question who the best player on the defensive side of the ball was that night as senior cornerback Lamarcus Joyner cemented his All-American status. Joyner was responsible for three forced turnovers, including a strip of tight end Stanton Seckinger on the first play of the game which led to an FSU touchdown. His second forced fumble was returned for a score by Mario Edwards Jr. and Joyner’s second half interception of Tajh Boyd put the exclamation point on an FSU performance for the ages.

Honorable Mention

Greg Reid — 2010 at Virginia, 2010 vs. Florida
Lamarcus Joyner — 2011 vs. Oklahoma, 2013 at Pittsburgh
Terrance Parks — 2011 at Florida
Tyler Hunter — 2013 vs. Nevada
Nate Andrews — 2014 vs. Oregon (Rose Bowl)
Jalen Ramsey — 2014 vs. Florida, 2015 at Boston College, 2015 at Clemson
Trey Marshall — 2015 at Wake Forest
Derwin James — 2015 vs. Louisville, 2015 vs. Syracuse, 2015 vs. N.C. State, 2015 vs. Houston (Peach Bowl)
Javien Elliott — 2015 vs. N.C. State