Florida State’s 2025 season didn’t quite live up to expectations, but let’s not confuse underperformance with a lack of talent. This is still a roster with real playmakers - the kind of athletes who, on their day, can take down a powerhouse like Alabama, as they did in Week 1.
If head coach Mike Norvell wants to get this program back on track and trending upward in 2026, the mission this offseason is crystal clear: keep the core intact. The Seminoles have a handful of young stars and emerging veterans who could form the backbone of a resurgent team - if they stick around. Let’s break down the key players FSU needs to prioritize retaining this offseason.
QB Kevin Sperry - A Poised Freshman with a High Ceiling
Kevin Sperry didn’t just step onto the field this year - he climbed the depth chart, leapfrogging third-year QB Brock Glenn to become the team’s No. 2 option. That’s no small feat for a true freshman.
His game reps came in blowout wins over East Texas A&M and Kent State, but even in limited action, Sperry flashed the kind of poise and polish that turns heads. He delivered the ball with touch, ran the offense with confidence, and looked like a natural fit in Gus Malzahn’s scheme - assuming Malzahn returns as offensive coordinator.
He’s an athletic quarterback with the tools to grow into something special, and keeping him in Tallahassee is a must.
RB Ousmane Kromah - A Back with Burst and Untapped Potential
Ousmane Kromah didn’t get a heavy workload in 2025, but when he did touch the ball, he made it count. The Georgia flip finished the season with 408 rushing yards on 72 carries, adding 147 yards and a touchdown through the air.
He’s a rhythm back - the type who gets better the more you feed him. The flashes are there: vision, balance, and a second gear that makes defenders miss.
With more touches, Kromah could be a difference-maker. He’s exactly the kind of young offensive weapon FSU needs to build around.
WR Duce Robinson - The Star Who Could Stay (But Probably Won’t)
Let’s be honest: Duce Robinson has every reason to head to the NFL. He just put together one of the best seasons by a Florida State wideout in recent memory - 56 catches, 1,081 yards, and six touchdowns.
He’s draft-eligible and his stock is soaring. But in today’s college football landscape, nothing’s off the table.
If there’s even a sliver of a chance he returns, FSU needs to pull out all the stops. Robinson is a game-changer, plain and simple - the kind of player who tilts the field and forces defenses to game plan around him.
If there’s a path to keeping him in garnet and gold, it’s worth exploring.
WR Lawayne McCoy - Quietly Reliable, Increasingly Dangerous
Lawayne McCoy’s two seasons in Tallahassee have been hampered by injuries, but when healthy, he’s shown why he’s such a valuable piece of the offense. He wrapped up 2025 with 27 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns, and saved his best for last - a six-catch, 110-yard, one-touchdown performance against Florida.
He’s not flashy, but he’s consistent, and his chemistry with the quarterback grew as the season progressed. If he can stay on the field, he’s a steady weapon who deserves a bigger role.
WR Micahi Danzy - The Homegrown Speedster Who Changes Games
Micahi Danzy is pure electricity in cleats. The Tallahassee native transitioned from running back to wide receiver this year, and the move paid off in a big way.
He became FSU’s second-leading receiver with 571 yards and three touchdowns on 27 catches - and added another 216 yards and three scores on the ground. His speed is game-breaking, and he’s one of those rare players who can score from anywhere on the field.
Keeping Danzy should be a top priority - not just because of what he brings on the field, but because of what he represents off it: a local star with elite upside.
TE Randy Pittman Jr. - The Unsung Hero of the Offense
Randy Pittman Jr. isn’t the kind of player who’ll dominate the box score - but watch the tape, and his impact is undeniable. He’s a tough, physical tight end who does the dirty work in the run game and is more than capable as a pass catcher.
His 23 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns only tell part of the story. Pittman was also a weapon in Wildcat formations near the goal line and brought a level of versatility that’s hard to replace.
He’s draft-eligible, but likely to return - and FSU should make sure that happens.
DL Mandrell & Darryll Desir - The Twin Terrors on the D-Line
You don’t often see true freshmen dominate in the trenches, but that’s exactly what the Desir twins did in 2025. Mandrell led the team in sacks with 6.5, while Darryll piled up 21 quarterback pressures.
These two are relentless, disruptive, and just scratching the surface of what they can become. In an era where quality defensive linemen are hard to find - especially in the transfer portal - FSU can’t afford to lose them.
Expect other programs to come calling, but the Seminoles need to make sure the Desir brothers stay in Tallahassee.
DL Kevin Wynn - A Long-Term Investment Worth Making
Kevin Wynn didn’t have a breakout season in 2025, but that doesn’t mean his future isn’t bright. The former Top100 recruit flashed in spurts when healthy and rotated in at defensive tackle throughout the year.
He’s got the physical tools you want - size, strength, and upside. He’s the kind of player you develop, not discard.
If FSU wants to build a dominant defensive front, keeping Wynn in the fold is essential.
CB Ja’Bril Rawls - A Physical Corner with Star Potential
Ja’Bril Rawls was quietly one of FSU’s best defenders this season before an injury against Clemson sidelined him for the final two games. He’s sticky in coverage, aggressive at the point of attack, and not afraid to come downhill and hit.
That physicality from the cornerback spot is a big-time asset, and it’s something FSU’s defense needs more of. Rawls is a Florida product who’s already proven he can play at a high level - now it’s about keeping him in garnet and gold.
S Ashlynd Barker - Versatility and Size in the Secondary
Ashlynd Barker earned a starting role in 2025 and made the most of it. At 6’3”, 216 pounds, he brings a rare combination of size and athleticism to the safety position.
Injuries limited him at times, but when he was on the field, he was one of the defense’s most impactful players - both in coverage and as a blitzer (3.5 sacks on the year). He’s the kind of hybrid defender today’s defenses covet, and FSU should be all-in on keeping him around.
The Bottom Line
Florida State might’ve fallen short of expectations this year, but this roster is far from a rebuild. It’s a retool - and the foundation is already in place.
The next step is retention. In today’s college football landscape, keeping your best players is just as important as recruiting new ones.
If FSU can hang onto this core group, they’ll be well-positioned to bounce back in 2026 with a team that’s not just talented, but experienced and battle-tested. The pieces are there - now it’s about keeping them together.