Florida State’s Defensive Backs Took a Step Forward in 2025 - But Is It Enough to Save the Secondary?
Florida State’s 2025 season brought some progress, but not quite the kind that satisfies a program with championship DNA. The Seminoles improved in the win column, sure, but the bar in Tallahassee is set higher than “better than last year.” And with head coach Mike Norvell entering what feels like a make-or-break 2026, the spotlight is shining squarely on how this staff manages the roster - especially on defense, where the secondary remains a work in progress.
Let’s take a closer look at where the defensive backs stood in 2025, how they stacked up against the previous season, and what the future holds for this group heading into a pivotal offseason.
2025 vs. 2024: The Numbers Tell a Mixed Story
From a grading standpoint, Florida State’s defensive backs showed some signs of growth. According to Pro Football Focus, the 2025 unit finished with a 65.4 coverage grade, identical to 2024 - but with a massive jump in interceptions, going from just 4 picks in 2024 to 12 in 2025.
That’s not a small detail. Creating turnovers is a hallmark of good defenses, and this group tripled its production in that department.
Where the 2025 group really shined, though, was against the run. They posted a 90.4 run defense grade, a major leap from the 70.0 mark in 2024. That kind of physicality on the back end matters, especially in an ACC that’s seeing more mobile quarterbacks and zone-read concepts.
But the coverage consistency? Still not where it needs to be.
Here’s how the top contributors fared in 2025:
- Ja’Bril Rawls was the breakout star, leading the group with a 72.9 overall grade and a solid 74.1 in coverage. Unfortunately for FSU, he’s already in the transfer portal.
- Ashlynd Barker and Edwin Joseph were steady, if not spectacular, with balanced performances in both coverage and run support.
- Earl Little Jr. and Jerry Wilson each logged over 300 snaps and graded out in the low 70s overall, but Wilson - a high-profile transfer from Houston - didn’t quite live up to the preseason hype.
- Shamar Arnoux, a young player with upside, had a tougher year, finishing with a 59.1 overall grade and struggling in both coverage and run defense.
Compare that to 2024, when Azareye’h Thomas stood out with a 76.5 overall grade and 78.0 in coverage - the best mark of either season. But that group only produced four interceptions and was ranked 107th nationally in pass defense. So while the 2025 unit didn’t grade out much better in coverage, the increased ball production and stronger run support suggest a group that’s trending in the right direction - even if the progress is incremental.
Recruiting Recap: A Star, Some Misses, and a Big Legacy Loss
Florida State’s 2026 defensive back class has some legitimate talent - but also some glaring misses. The headliner is Chauncey Kennon, a top-50 national prospect with NFL tools and the kind of upside that could lead to early playing time. He’s the type of blue-chip athlete Florida State needs to build around on the back end.
Jordan Crutchfield, a late flip from Kentucky, brings a strong frame and long-term potential at safety. Tre Bell adds leadership and versatility, while Daylen Green is another name to keep an eye on for future rotation snaps.
But the Seminoles also took some tough losses in this cycle:
- Jay Timmons, a 5-star legacy prospect, chose Ohio State. That one stings - not just because of his talent, but because of the built-in ties to FSU.
- Several other targets - including Kaiden Hall, CJ Bronaugh, and Samari Matthews - slipped away, leaving the class thinner than expected at a position where FSU has historically recruited well.
The bottom line? Florida State still has the brand to land top-tier defensive backs.
But development - or lack thereof - has been the bigger issue. That’s part of why Patrick Surtain Sr. is no longer on staff.
When you bring in multiple 4-star DBs and none of them crack the rotation, it raises serious questions about coaching and player progression.
2026 Depth Chart Outlook: A Lot of Youth, a Few Veterans, and a Whole Lot of Uncertainty
Here’s what the projected depth chart looks like heading into 2026:
- Senior: Quindarrius Jones
- Redshirt Senior: Earl Little Jr.
- Redshirt Junior: K.J. Kirkland
- Redshirt Sophomore: Charles Lester III, Jamari Howard
- Sophomore: Shamar Arnoux
- Redshirt Freshmen: Max Redmond, Zae Thomas
- True Freshman: Chauncey Kennon
There’s a decent mix of experience and young talent here, but the departure of Rawls leaves a hole - not just in production, but in leadership. And with a likely wave of transfers coming in and out, it’s hard to project exactly how this group will gel by the time fall camp rolls around.
The key will be how new cornerbacks coach Blue Adams and returning safeties coach Evan Cooper mold this room. The raw talent is there. The question is whether they can get more out of it than their predecessor did.
Final Thoughts: Better, But Not Good Enough - Yet
The 2025 season showed that Florida State’s secondary can make plays. The jump in interceptions and run support was real, and there are pieces here to build around. But coverage consistency remains an issue, and the development pipeline has to improve if the Seminoles want to return to elite defensive form.
With Norvell’s seat warming and the ACC continuing to evolve, this offseason will be crucial. Expect the Seminoles to be more aggressive in the portal when it comes to defensive backs - and they’ll need to be. Because if this unit doesn’t take a leap in 2026, it won’t just be the secondary under pressure.
It’ll be the entire program.