A few things have been hard to pin down about Florida State this preseason, and that’s mostly because the windows into practice have been so small. After the media was allowed to watch a 20-minute stretch for the second time this fall, there’s a good chance that was the last look anyone gets before the Seminoles open the season.
What has been easier to spot, though, is a shift in how this team carries itself.
The biggest takeaway from those limited practice observations is that Florida State looks more player-driven than it has in the last two years. That matters, because the Seminoles won’t reveal much about themselves until they face New Mexico State in less than two weeks. For now, the clues are coming from who is talking, who is demanding more, and who is setting the tone.
Sophomore defensive lineman Mandrell Desir has emerged as one of those voices. Even though he’s only in his second year with the program, he’s already taking on a louder role. During the early part of practice, Desir wasn’t pleased with the energy he saw from the defense and made it clear the unit needed to go 100% each rep, or get off the field.
I won’t repeat the words he used, but the message was unmistakable. Desir clearly cares, and he’s aiming to make a big impact alongside his twin after some offseason drama.
He’s not the only one raising the standard. Ashlynd Barker and K.J.
Kirkland both pointed to the defensive backfield’s high expectations earlier this preseason, and the room seems to have no room for ego. Players are comfortable calling each other out when the level drops.
Chris Jones, Daniel Lyons and Deante McCray have also been mentioned as examples of players leading by action and helping establish the right tone at the right moments.
On offense, Ashton Daniels and Duce Robinson have helped keep things steady. Daniels may not be the loudest presence in the room, but when he speaks, teammates tend to pay attention.
Robinson has taken on a more vocal role over the past year, and his style is more about lifting people up than pointing out flaws. That work ethic is rubbing off on the group around him.
That player-led element is important because coaches can only do so much. Florida State’s current makeup appears more complete in that department than it has over the last two seasons.
The staff has helped, too, especially with the energy it brings every day.
Odell Haggins remains a familiar force around the program. Even after moving into an off-field role following the 2024 campaign, he’s still right there with the defensive line at practice and on game days. He doesn’t step on Terrance Knighton or Nick Williams, but he helps where he can, and his experience still carries real weight.
Haggins is also exactly what his reputation suggests: intense. He got after Jordan Sanders during a drill, and the message to the new transfer was clear.
No matter where he is on campus, Haggins’ voice stands out. It cuts through everything.
New running backs coach Kam Martin has brought a similar edge, just with a different flavor. He mixes praise with criticism, letting his players know when they’re doing things right and making sure they hear it when they’re not. The running backs have responded, especially Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr.
Florida State opens against New Mexico State on August 29, and the Seminoles will need this leadership to hold up once the games start. The hope is that what’s showing up in practice carries into the 2026 season.
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