Florida State has had a busy few weeks on the transfer front - and not in the way fans would prefer. Even with the portal not officially open yet, the Seminoles have already seen several 2025 contributors announce their intentions to move on. Some names will be missed more than others, but each departure tells a story about where the program stands and where it’s headed.
Let’s break down the outgoing transfers by impact - from minimal to significant - and what they mean for FSU going forward.
Minimal Impact Departures
QB Brock Glenn
Glenn’s time in Tallahassee was defined more by circumstance than production.
He was thrust into the spotlight during the ACC Championship Game as a true freshman, filling in after injuries to Jordan Travis and Tate Rodemaker. But aside from that emergency start, Glenn never really pushed his way into the quarterback conversation in a meaningful way.
He’s likely headed to a program where he can compete for a starting job, but FSU’s quarterback room won’t feel this departure much.
WR Elijah Moore
Moore had all the physical tools you could ask for - 6-foot-4, athletic, and a blue-chip pedigree from the 2024 class.
But those tools never translated to consistent playing time. Whether it was mastering the playbook or executing assignments, Moore never quite put it all together in Tallahassee.
The upside is still there, but it’ll be up to another program to unlock it. From FSU’s perspective, this is a case of unrealized potential rather than a major loss.
OL Manasse Itete
Itete was another highly-touted 2024 signee, but he spent the last two seasons as a scout team player and never cracked the two-deep rotation.
Offensive line depth is always valuable, but this is a case of a player not quite developing into a contributor. His exit doesn’t shake up the trenches for FSU.
EDGE James Williams
Williams arrived in Tallahassee with some fanfare, following his coaches from Nebraska and bringing expectations as a potential impact edge rusher.
But the production never came. He struggled to generate pressure and was a liability against the run.
For a defense that prides itself on physicality and speed off the edge, Williams simply didn’t deliver. His departure clears the way for someone else to step up.
Moderate Impact Departures
RB Gavin Sawchuk
Sawchuk started the 2025 season as FSU’s lead back and, despite a reduced role later in the year, still led the team’s running backs in rushing yards.
He wasn’t a game-changer, but he was steady - a north-south runner who could move the chains when called upon. While Florida State has options in the backfield, replacing that kind of experience and production isn’t a given.
His exit leaves a hole that will need to be filled, even if it’s not a devastating one.
TE Landen Thomas
Thomas was a big win on the recruiting trail when FSU flipped him from Georgia in the 2024 cycle.
He saw the field plenty over his first two seasons, but the flashes of elite potential were few and far between. The tight end room likely won’t take a massive hit from his departure, but it does sting to lose a player you invested so heavily in.
Thomas had the tools - the consistency just never followed.
WR Jayvan Boggs
Boggs was a late addition last cycle, flipped from UCF after Gus Malzahn joined the FSU staff.
He was viewed as a high-floor prospect and earned a starting role early in the year, but injuries derailed his season. While he didn’t get a chance to make a major impact, there was real optimism about what he could become.
Florida State’s wide receiver depth remains solid, but Boggs was a young piece with upside - and his loss is felt more as a missed opportunity than a personnel crisis.
Significant Impact Departure
S Ashlynd Barker
This one hurts.
Barker, a JUCO product, developed into a starting safety in 2025 and made his presence felt early in the season. He brought physicality and range to the back end of the defense - a key asset in a scheme that leans heavily on its safeties.
Unfortunately, a lingering shoulder injury limited his effectiveness down the stretch. Still, when healthy, Barker showed signs of being a difference-maker.
Losing a starter at a premium position like safety - especially one who had flashed high-level potential - is a big blow. FSU’s defense will need to find answers quickly to fill the void Barker leaves behind.
Final Thoughts
Not every departure is created equal, and Florida State's recent wave of portal exits reflects that. Some players were buried on the depth chart, others were on the verge of breaking through, and a few were already key contributors. For a program with big aspirations, roster churn is part of the process - but the Seminoles will need to hit on their own portal additions to stay on track.
The good news? FSU has shown it can recruit and develop talent. The challenge now is replacing what’s lost - especially on defense - while continuing to build toward the kind of depth that can weather these offseason storms.