Florida State’s secondary keeps taking hits, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
The second availability report ahead of the Week 1 matchup with No. 19 SMU brought more bad news for the Seminoles.
Defensive back K.J. Kirkland was downgraded from questionable to doubtful, adding another layer of uncertainty to a unit already dealing with major losses.
SMU, meanwhile, made no changes on its end.
Florida State is already preparing to play without Karson Hobbs, Chuck Kennon, and Jordan Crutchfield, all of whom were ruled out. Ashlynd Barker and Quindarrius Jones were listed as probable, but the overall picture remains shaky. Coach Mike Norvell had said earlier in the week that Kennon was being evaluated for a minor injury, while Crutchfield was also still under evaluation.
That leaves Florida State heading into Monday night with a heavily patched-together back end against an SMU offense that could make the Seminoles pay for every breakdown.
The injuries hit especially hard because the Seminoles were already trying to use the week to tighten up the secondary and build cohesion before a tough ACC opener. Instead, the depth chart has been thinned out fast. Crutchfield’s absence is a particular blow given his role in Florida State’s youth movement, and Kirkland’s status only adds to the pressure.
The bigger concern now is not just who’s out, but who’s actually available to take meaningful snaps. Barker and Jones are important pieces in the secondary, and both are dealing with injuries of their own. Norvell has leaned on them early, but the Seminoles may need fresh faces to step in quickly if they want to avoid bigger problems.
One possibility is Nehemiah Chandler, who logged 33 snaps against New Mexico State in a sixth-man role in the secondary. His experience at both corner and safety gives Florida State some flexibility.
Ricky Knight III could also see a larger role. He has mostly been a reserve during his career, but the injuries around him may force the staff to look at him more seriously.
Florida State won in Week 0, but it was hardly the kind of performance that calms nerves. The offensive line had its issues while protecting Ashton Daniels, and the secondary had communication breakdowns that let New Mexico State do damage through the air. Those mistakes are a problem now, and they have to get cleaned up fast before Monday night turns into something much uglier.
In Other News...
Former Florida State Transfers Are Off To Some Eye-Opening Starts
Opening weekend gave Florida State fans an early look at just how much talent has flowed out through the transfer portal, and plenty of those former Seminoles wasted little time making an impression elsewhere. The review of the first slate of games showed former FSU quarterbacks, defensive backs and other transfers logging meaningful snaps, with Pro Football Focus data helping paint the picture of who settled in quickly and who immediately became part of the action for their new teams.
Quarterback play drew some of the most attention, but it was not just the signal-callers who stood out. Players such as Earl Little Jr. and Joseph also showed up in the defensive numbers, while the report tracked everything from completions and rushing production to tackles and receptions allowed. For Florida State, it is another reminder that the transfer market can reshape rosters in a hurry, and that the Seminoles will keep seeing familiar names pop up on Saturdays as those new situations develop. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Just Reignited A Recruiting Battle With Florida
Florida State is using a big home game as a recruiting stage, bringing in 2027 athlete Kamarion Johnson for its matchup against SMU as it continues to press for one of the more intriguing names in the next cycle. Johnson, a versatile standout from Clinch County High School in Georgia, has shown he can help in plenty of ways, turning heads on offense, defense and special teams while already carrying a commitment to Florida.
The Seminoles are not backing away from that part of the rivalry, either. Even with Johnson pledged elsewhere, Florida State is still working to stay in the picture and see whether it can chip away at Floridas hold on him, which makes this visit one worth watching as the recruiting battle develops. [Read more 🡒]
Ann Bowdens Birthday Brings Back A Florida State Legacy Fans Cherish
Ann Bowden marked her 94th birthday on Sept. 7, a reminder of how deeply the Bowden family remains woven into Florida State history. As the longtime wife of legendary coach Bobby Bowden, she was part of the fabric of an era that still resonates with Seminole fans, and her move from Tallahassee to Alabama in 2025 brought a quiet shift for a family whose name has long carried special meaning in the programs story.
Even after leaving Tallahassee to be closer to family, Ann remains in good health, and her birthday offered another moment for fans to reflect on that legacy. The Bowden family home, sold at auction in March 2026, is now back on the market, with potential negotiations involving Seminole Boosters, Inc., keeping one more piece of that history very much in play. [Read more 🡒]