Florida State football is coming off a two-year stretch that’s been as frustrating as it’s been puzzling. Even a promising 3-0 start this past season - highlighted by a marquee win over Alabama - couldn’t stop the slide, as the Seminoles dropped seven of their final nine games. That’s not just a stumble; it’s a collapse that’s left fans searching for answers and the program at a crossroads.
In Tallahassee, the standard isn’t just bowl eligibility - it’s championships. So when a 5-7 record rolls in, questions get loud, and expectations get heavier.
That’s the backdrop to this offseason, where head coach Mike Norvell was tasked with more than just roster management - he had to restore some belief in the direction of the program. And that started in the transfer portal.
Retaining Key Pieces
Before even diving into new additions, Norvell and his staff had to make sure the foundation didn’t crack further. That meant convincing key players to stay - and they did just that.
Wideouts Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy are staying put, giving the offense two dynamic playmakers with serious upside. On the defensive side, the Desir twins, Mandrell and Darryll, are back in the trenches, joined by defensive tackle Kevin Wynn - a crucial trio for a unit that needs to be tougher up front. In the secondary, Ja'Bril Rawls and Ashlynd Barker return to provide continuity and leadership in a group that was tested often in 2025.
That retention alone gave Florida State a fighting chance to stabilize. But it was only the beginning.
Addressing Needs in the Portal
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Florida State had holes - everywhere. Quarterback, offensive line, defensive front, linebacker - you name it, there were question marks. And while no portal class can fix everything overnight, this one made some important strides.
At quarterback, the Seminoles brought in Ashton Daniels - a steady, experienced option who can hold the fort while highly-touted prospect Kevin Sperry continues to develop. Daniels may not be a game-changer, but he’s a reliable bridge, and that matters when you're trying to avoid another 5-7 campaign.
Up front, offensive line coach Herb Hand went to work, landing five transfers with college reps under their belts. Among them is Paul Bowling from Troy, a versatile interior lineman who can play both center and guard, and still has multiple years of eligibility. That’s the kind of plug-and-play depth Florida State desperately needed.
Defensively, the return of the Desir twins and Kevin Wynn gave the Seminoles a solid core on the line. But they didn’t stop there - Texas A&M’s Rylan Kennedy and Texas State’s Jordan Sanders were added to bolster depth. While neither is a guaranteed star, both bring tools that can be developed within the system.
That said, the edge-rushing department still feels thin. Florida State didn’t land a proven pass rusher this cycle, and that’s a box left unchecked. But it seems the staff prioritized another position just as critical - linebacker.
A Game-Changing Addition at Linebacker
This might be the crown jewel of the portal class: Chris Jones, the Southern Miss transfer who was once committed to Ole Miss, is now a Seminole. And he brings exactly what Florida State’s defense has lacked - a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with instincts and toughness.
Jones is the kind of linebacker who can elevate a defense, not just fill a spot. And he won’t be alone - Mikai Gbayor, who played in Tony White’s system, also joins the fold. That familiarity with the scheme could pay dividends early.
For a defense that lacked consistency in 2025, especially in the middle of the field, these additions are more than just depth - they’re potential difference-makers.
The Bottom Line
This portal class wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t have to be. What it needed to do was address glaring weaknesses and give Florida State a shot to get back to playing competitive, winning football - and it did that.
The quarterback room is more stable. The offensive line has experience.
The defensive line returns its core. And the linebacker group finally has some bite to it.
Mike Norvell still has work to do - no one’s pretending otherwise. But this offseason showed that the staff knows where the problems are and is working to fix them. Now, it’s about turning those fixes into wins.
Because in Tallahassee, 5-7 isn’t just a bad year. It’s a call to action.