Florida State’s tight end room is heading into 2026 with more questions than answers - and the urgency to find solutions is very real.
The Seminoles are staring down a near-total reset at the position. Their top three contributors from 2025 are all on their way out.
Markeston Douglas, the team’s primary in-line blocker, is out of eligibility. Randy Pittman Jr., the offense’s most dynamic tight end in terms of receiving and rushing impact, has entered the transfer portal.
And just this week, Landen Thomas, another key rotational piece, followed suit.
That trio accounted for the bulk of FSU’s tight end production last season. And with Amaree Williams expected to continue his development on the defensive side of the ball - a move that head coach Mike Norvell appears committed to - the Seminoles are essentially starting from scratch at the position.
So what’s left?
The most intriguing option on the roster is redshirt freshman Chase Loftin, who spent 2025 working at wide receiver after being shifted from tight end. The move was designed to get his athleticism on the field, and he showed real promise before a hamstring injury early in the season shut him down.
He was trending toward being a two-deep contributor at wideout, but with the tight end room now depleted, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him shift back to his original spot. Loftin brings versatility and upside - and right now, that’s gold for a unit in flux.
Beyond Loftin, the depth chart gets thin in a hurry. Former walk-ons Gavin Markey and Greyson Labiad return, but neither is expected to play a major role in the rotation.
FSU is also bringing in two true freshmen: four-star prospect Xavier Tiller and three-star Corbyn Fordham. Tiller has the tools to eventually be a factor in the passing game - think situational red zone or third-down snaps - but asking either freshman to take on a starter’s workload right away would be a big leap.
All of this points to one clear conclusion: FSU has to go shopping in the transfer portal - and not just for depth. They need two tight ends who can contribute immediately and bring different skill sets to the table.
One of those should be a true in-line blocker, someone who can replace Douglas’s physical presence in the run game. The other?
Ideally, a versatile H-back type - a player who can stretch the field vertically, line up in multiple spots, and create mismatches the way Pittman did in 2025.
The coaching staff has already been active behind the scenes, evaluating portal options even before Thomas and Pittman made their decisions. The plan had been to bring in a blocking specialist, but with the room now almost completely turned over, the scope has expanded. They’re looking for balance - a pairing of tight ends who complement each other and bring both physicality and finesse to the offense.
Bottom line: Florida State’s tight end group isn’t just thin - it’s a blank slate. And in an offense that values versatility and matchup flexibility at the position, that’s a problem that can’t wait until fall camp.
The portal opens in January, and the Seminoles need to strike quickly and decisively. If they miss, tight end could go from a position of strength to a potential liability in 2026.
But if they get it right, this could be one of the more underrated rebuilds on the roster - and a key to keeping the offense humming next fall.