Florida State football has had its fair share of turbulence this offseason, with a wave of players hitting the transfer portal and plenty of noise surrounding the program’s direction under head coach Mike Norvell. After four losing seasons in the last six years and just seven total wins over the past two, it’s no surprise that some fans were questioning whether Norvell still had the locker room-or the support of the administration.
But despite the uncertainty, the school is sticking with Norvell for the 2026 season. And if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s this: the pressure is on. Florida State needs results, and they need them now.
Desir Twins Return: A Big Win for Florida State’s Defense
Amid all the offseason movement, one of the biggest questions hanging over the Seminoles was whether they’d be able to retain standout defensive linemen Mandrell and Darryll Desir. The twin brothers, both true freshmen in 2025, were unexpected bright spots in a season that didn’t offer many.
Coming in as three-star recruits, the Desir twins weren’t exactly expected to make an immediate splash. But defensive coordinator Tony White saw something early-and he was right.
Mandrell Desir didn’t just hold his own; he dominated. He finished the season as Florida State’s leading pass rusher and earned True Freshman All-American honors in the process.
Darryll, while not as statistically flashy, showed real promise with his flashes of explosiveness and versatility along the defensive front.
So when both brothers entered the transfer portal, eyebrows were raised-and not just in Tallahassee. Programs like Ohio State and Miami were reportedly circling, hoping to lure the talented duo away. The move was largely tied to NIL negotiations, a growing reality in today’s college football landscape where player retention is often about more than just coaching relationships or playing time.
But on Thursday night, Florida State got the kind of offseason win that could shape the trajectory of its 2026 campaign. According to a report from Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, the Desir twins have finalized new NIL agreements and will be withdrawing from the transfer portal, returning to FSU for another season.
These aren’t just any returnees-they were two of the most coveted players in the portal. Retaining them is a major statement for Florida State, both on the field and in the NIL arms race that now defines much of college football.
Looking Ahead: Time to Build, Not Rebuild
The Desir twins staying in Tallahassee doesn’t just stabilize the defensive line-it gives the Seminoles a foundation to build around. Mandrell has already proven he can be a game-changer, and Darryll’s development could turn the duo into one of the more formidable edge tandems in the ACC.
More importantly, this move signals that Florida State is still in the fight. In a college football era where player movement is constant and roster management is a year-round job, keeping your top talent is just as important as recruiting new stars.
With the Desirs locked in, attention now turns to the rest of the roster and how Norvell and his staff plan to turn offseason retention into on-field production. The margin for error is slim, and expectations are rising.
But for now, Florida State fans can exhale. The Desir twins are back, and that’s a huge step in the right direction. Now it’s time to get to work.