Bethune chooses FSU in order to team up with UCF’s former defensive coordinator
As soon as Tatum Bethune entered his name into the transfer portal on Dec. 31, interest in the former UCF linebacker began to pick up from schools across the country.
“My first day was kind of chaotic. I’m pretty sure that was for everybody,” said Bethune. “My phone kept ringing from unknown numbers I didn’t know from people from the West Coast to all over the country.”
One of those to reach out was Florida State, which was eager to sit down with the redshirt junior. It wasn’t long before Bethune found himself in Tallahassee, committed to playing for the Seminoles. It’s a move some might find unimaginable from a kid who grew up in the shadow of the University of Miami.
“Growing up and living in Miami, you’re always taught not to like Florida State,” Bethune said. “I didn’t think much of that because it was something I wanted to do.”
It wasn’t an easy choice, but one made simpler with a familiar face on the FSU coaching staff in Randy Shannon.
Their relationship dates to when Bethune was at Miami Central High and Shannon recruited the young defender first when he was defensive coordinator at Florida in 2017 and later when he took over in the same capacity at UCF in 2018. Bethune signed with the Knights as part of their 2019 recruiting class.
“Outside of football, me and Coach Shannon have a very strong relationship,” said Bethune. “Being able to play for him and building that bond again and being able to see him every day was great. When I realized he got the linebackers coach job a few weeks ago, it was a no-brainer.”
FSU coach Mike Norvell elevated Shannon to co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on Dec. 11 after spending last
season as a senior defensive analyst for the Seminoles. He joined Norvell’s coaching staff after new UCF coach Gus Malzahn didn’t retain him in February 2021.
“Coach Shannon is going to be one of those guys that’s going to help you off the field in the same way that he helps you on the field,” explained Bethune. “Coach Shannon is a great dude. A dude that I can count on outside of football if I need help with a class or if I need help familywise. If my car broke down, I know he would be the first one to pull up.”
Bethune said there was no specific reason why he decided to leave UCF.
“I love UCF. There is nothing wrong with UCF, and I don’t have anything bad to say about UCF,” he said. “When I entered the portal, I chose FSU because I see where this program is going, and I see what Coach Norvell is building and it was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Bethune isn’t the first UCF player to transfer to Florida State.
Former Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton transferred to FSU last season, appearing in six games for the Seminoles.
Bethune led the Knights with 108 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions
and a forced fumble. He appeared in 35 games with 17 starts in three seasons and finished with 185 tackles.
The last FSU linebacker to record 100 or more tackles in a season was Reggie Northrup in 2014.
He’ll join a linebacker group featuring redshirt junior Kalen DeLoach and redshirt sophomore DJ Lundy, who accounted for most of the snaps last season. Redshirt junior Amari Gainer mainly played at the stud position. The trio accounted for 196 (22%) of the team’s 870 tackles in 2021.
Bethune isn’t sure whether he’ll play middle or weakside linebacker in FSU’s defensive scheme, but that’s secondary for him.
“I bring the love of the game to the field,” said Bethune. “I’m a vocal leader and I talk a lot, so I’m probably the last person to put my mouthpiece in before the play. Having that high energy and being able to keep my players up — I’m always going to encourage my players — and I’m always going to worry about everybody else before I worry about myself.”