Florida State just added some serious depth to its defensive front, landing Texas State transfer Jordan Sanders out of the portal. The former Bobcat defensive lineman chose the Seminoles over Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin - three programs he visited before ultimately committing to FSU.
Sanders, a Hawthorne, California native, brings with him a well-traveled college résumé and a body of work that suggests untapped potential. After starting his career at Cal Poly, where he spent three seasons, Sanders transferred to Texas State for the 2025 campaign and made an immediate impact.
Last season, he suited up in all 13 games for the Bobcats, logging 365 defensive snaps. His production included 16 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
While those raw numbers might not jump off the page, a deeper dive into the tape - and the analytics - tells a more complete story. Pro Football Focus gave Sanders a 77.0 overall defensive grade, with solid marks in both rush defense (73.3) and pass rush (71.7).
He also registered nine quarterback hurries, showing an ability to disrupt the pocket even if the sack numbers didn’t fully reflect it.
Where he’ll need to improve is in the tackling department. His tackle grade came in at just 34.9, a figure that highlights some inconsistency in finishing plays - something FSU’s coaching staff will no doubt look to clean up as he transitions into their system.
Before his stint at Texas State, Sanders spent three seasons developing at Cal Poly. His most productive year there came in 2024, when he played in 10 games and notched 12 tackles, including three sacks and three quarterback hurries.
That followed a solid redshirt freshman season in 2023, where he recorded 11 tackles and two tackles for loss across 11 games. He also saw limited action as a true freshman in 2022, appearing in the final two games of the year and picking up a tackle for loss.
All told, Sanders has logged 934 collegiate snaps heading into his final year of eligibility. That experience - spread across multiple programs and defensive schemes - gives him a unique perspective and adaptability that should serve him well in Tallahassee.
For Florida State, this is a strategic pickup. Sanders isn’t coming in as a headliner, but he’s the kind of rotational piece who can shore up depth, bring energy off the bench, and contribute situationally. With one year left to play, he’ll be looking to maximize his opportunity at the Power Five level - and if he can clean up some of the inconsistencies in his game, he could end up being a sneaky-good addition for the Seminoles’ defensive line room.