Florida State’s Wide Receiver Rebuild: Progress, Promise, and a Pivotal 2026 Ahead
Florida State’s 2025 season offered a much-needed step forward for the Seminoles, but it wasn’t the kind of leap fans in Tallahassee are used to expecting. With pressure mounting on head coach Mike Norvell heading into a critical 2026 campaign, one of the most scrutinized position groups - the wide receivers - showed tangible signs of life after a brutal 2024. Under new wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr., FSU’s pass-catching unit didn’t just improve - it began to resemble a group with real upside.
Let’s break down what changed, who emerged, and what it all means for the Seminoles’ outlook heading into a make-or-break year.
From Dysfunction to Development: A Look at the 2025 WR Room
In 2024, Florida State’s wide receiver unit was, by just about any metric, one of the worst in the program’s modern history. The production was flat, the development stagnant, and the overall impact minimal. That led to a staff shakeup, with Ron Dugans out and Tim Harris Jr. brought in from UCF to overhaul the group.
The result? A noticeable jump in both performance and potential.
According to PFF, FSU’s 2025 wide receiver unit tied for 51st nationally in pass route grading - not elite, but a clear step forward. Five receivers saw 15 or more targets, and four of them graded out at 64.0 or higher - a stark contrast to 2024, where only one receiver cracked the 60 mark.
Here’s a look at the top contributors:
- Duce Robinson: 79.6 overall, 80.4 on pass routes
- Micahi Danzy: 70.7 overall, 66.3 on pass routes
- Lawayne McCoy: 69.0 overall, 69.4 on pass routes
- Jayvan Boggs: 64.0 overall, 63.1 on pass routes
- Squirrel White: 50.8 overall, 50.5 on pass routes
Compare that to 2024’s top grades:
- Ja’Khi Douglas: 73.1 overall, 74.8 on pass routes
- Malik Benson: 59.2 overall
- Kentron Poitier: 58.7
- Hykeem Williams: 58.3
- Jalen Brown: 56.0
The difference is clear. In just one season, the Seminoles went from a unit with no clear answers to one with multiple emerging options.
Duce Robinson: The Alpha FSU Needed
Robinson arrived in Tallahassee with hype, and he delivered. After transferring from USC, he elevated his game and became FSU’s go-to target, improving on already solid numbers from the Pac-12. His 80.4 grade on pass routes reflects a player who not only ran crisp routes but consistently created separation and made plays.
Whether or not Robinson returns for 2026 will be one of the biggest offseason questions. If he comes back, he’s the unquestioned WR1 and the focal point of the passing game. If he leaves, FSU will need to hit the portal hard to find a replacement with similar production and presence.
Breakout Candidates: Danzy, McCoy, and Boggs
Micahi Danzy made a strong impression in his first full season at wide receiver. A converted running back, Danzy brought speed and versatility to the offense. While still raw in route running, he flashed the kind of athleticism that makes you think he could be a legitimate WR2 with more polish.
Lawayne McCoy showed steady development throughout the season, improving his PFF grades by nearly 10 points from 2024. His late-season surge suggests he’s ready for a bigger role in 2026.
Jayvan Boggs, despite battling injuries, held his own as a true freshman. His 64.0 grade is a solid foundation, and if he stays healthy, he’s another piece that could elevate this group even further.
Missed Opportunities: Squirrel White and Gavin Blackwell
While the top of the depth chart improved, not every move paid off. Squirrel White, a talented slot receiver with proven SEC production, never found his rhythm in Tallahassee.
Whether it was scheme fit, usage, or lingering injury issues, White was largely a non-factor in the passing game and struggled in the return game as well. It was a frustrating season for a player who was expected to be a difference-maker.
Gavin Blackwell, meanwhile, barely saw the field. He was targeted once and didn’t record a catch.
For a player brought in via the portal, it’s hard to find a silver lining there. Whether it was injury, depth chart, or something else, Blackwell’s time in garnet and gold was essentially a redshirt rehab season.
Recruiting Surge: Tribe26 Brings Talent and Speed
FSU clearly recognized the need to build from the ground up at wide receiver, and the 2026 recruiting class reflects that urgency. The Seminoles signed six prep wideouts, four of whom are rated as four-star prospects or better.
Jasen Lopez was a big win over in-state rival Miami and could push for early playing time in the slot. Brandon Bennett, the fastest player in the class, chose FSU over Georgia and Alabama - a major recruiting victory.
Devin Carter flipped from FSU to Auburn and back again, and the ‘Noles were able to hold on to him the second time around. Efrem White, another blue-chip, adds to the talent pool, while Jonah Winston and Darryon Williams are viewed as longer-term developmental prospects.
It’s a group with a wide range of skill sets - speed, size, versatility - and the kind of depth that has been missing in recent years.
What’s Next: Portal Priorities and 2026 Depth Chart
If Robinson returns, FSU’s wide receiver room could be one of the strengths of the offense - something that would’ve sounded far-fetched just a year ago. The top trio of Robinson, Danzy, and McCoy gives the Seminoles a balanced mix of size, speed, and playmaking.
Behind them, Lopez could push for early snaps in the slot. A portal addition - possibly someone like Teriq Mallory - would add more veteran depth.
Don’t sleep on Carter or Bennett either. Both have the tools to contribute early if they can adjust quickly to the college game.
But if Robinson declares for the NFL Draft, FSU will need to find a new WR1 - and those don’t come cheap in today’s portal market. Whether it’s a big-bodied possession receiver or a vertical threat, the ‘Noles will need to be aggressive and smart in their pursuit.
2026 Outlook: Trending Up, But Not There Yet
There’s no question that the wide receiver position is in a much better place than it was a year ago. Tim Harris Jr. has brought a fresh approach, and it’s showing - not just in improved PFF grades, but in the way players are developing and contributing.
Robinson had a true breakout year. Danzy and McCoy are ascending.
Recruiting is on the upswing.
But there’s still work to do. FSU needs a WR1 locked in - whether that’s Robinson or someone new.
The return game needs answers. And the staff must continue to develop the young talent they’ve brought in.
Still, for a position group that was a liability in 2024, the transformation in 2025 was encouraging. If the trend continues, the wide receiver room could go from question mark to exclamation point in 2026 - and that could be the difference in whether Mike Norvell’s tenure in Tallahassee continues beyond next season.