Florida State Hosts Transfer RB Gemari Sands for Campus Visit
Florida State continues to explore backfield reinforcements through the transfer portal, and on Thursday, the Seminoles welcomed a familiar Florida name to campus: Florida Atlantic running back Gemari Sands.
The 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt sophomore is a Fort Lauderdale native and St. Thomas Aquinas product - a high school pipeline that’s produced plenty of college-ready talent over the years. Now, Sands is looking to take the next step in his career, and FSU is giving him a close look.
This past season at FAU, Sands emerged as a versatile contributor in the Owls' offense. He logged 105 carries for 465 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt - solid production behind a line that often faced stacked boxes.
But what really stands out is his ability to contribute in the passing game. Sands hauled in 40 receptions for 217 yards, showcasing soft hands and the kind of short-area quickness that makes him a reliable outlet out of the backfield.
His role expanded significantly in 2025, but his first real taste of college football came in 2024. As a redshirt freshman, Sands appeared in 11 games, picking up 117 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
He averaged 3.8 yards per carry that season, with a season-long rush of 22 yards. He also flashed some big-play potential in the passing game, catching three balls for 60 yards, including a 34-yard gain that hinted at his upside in space.
He added a 25-yard kick return to round out his contributions.
Sands redshirted in 2023, using that season to develop behind the scenes before carving out a role in the Owls' offense. Now, at 21 years old and with two seasons of eligibility remaining, he’s drawing interest from Power 5 programs looking for a back who can do a little bit of everything.
For Florida State, this visit is about more than just adding depth. The Seminoles are evaluating whether Sands’ skill set fits into a system that values versatility, vision, and pass-catching ability out of the backfield. With his blend of experience and upside, Sands could be a piece that helps balance the running back room moving forward.
The transfer portal continues to reshape rosters across college football, and Florida State is clearly staying aggressive. Whether Sands ends up in garnet and gold remains to be seen, but his visit signals that the Seminoles are keeping their foot on the gas when it comes to building a dynamic offense.