Florida State’s season opener is close enough now that the Seminoles are starting to sort through the final injury and availability questions, and one of the biggest names in that conversation is freshman wide receiver Devin Carter.
Head coach Mike Norvell said Carter will likely be unavailable because of injury, a notable early setback for a player the Seminoles were hoping to bring into the mix right away. The update came as Norvell and receiver Duce Robinson spoke ahead of FSU’s opener, with Robinson also weighing in on what feels different about this year’s team and Norvell discussing what he wants to see against the Aggies.
There’s also a new wrinkle for Florida State’s roster management this season. With redshirts effectively gone because of the new five-for-five eligibility rule, the Seminoles will be able to use newcomers in ways they couldn’t in the past. That shift gives FSU more flexibility with its first-year players as the season gets underway.
On the women’s side, FSU softball added another piece to its roster Wednesday with the signing of catcher/infielder Kaiyah Ratu.
Ratu arrives in Tallahassee from Temple College in Temple, Texas, where she put together a big year for the Leopards. She hit .381 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI in 54 games, posting an .856 slugging percentage and a .454 on-base percentage. She also drew 21 walks against just 10 strikeouts, added 12 doubles and three triples, and was steady behind the plate with only one passed ball and one error all season.
Ratu is from Christchurch, New Zealand, where she was the Canterbury, New Zealand Player of the Year. Her father, Stephen Ratu, played professional softball with FSU assistant coach Travis Wilson. She also won three state championships in field hockey in New Zealand.
In Other News...
FSU Just Gave Fans A New Reason To Debate Home Saturdays
Florida State added a fresh corporate wrinkle to one of college footballs most watched rivalries this week, announcing Progressive Insurance as the presenting sponsor of the Florida State-Miami game. The deal was unveiled in a press release Aug. 27, just before the Seminoles open the season, and it comes with more than a simple title change for a marquee matchup that already carries plenty of baggage and attention.
Progressives logo will also be painted on the 25-yard line at Bobby Bowden Field for every home game, with additional in-stadium signage and activations planned throughout the year. For fans who care about the look and feel of a Saturday in Tallahassee, it is another sign of how much the game-day experience continues to evolve, especially when one of the sports biggest annual rivalries is involved. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Freshman Is Pushing For An Early Role Fans Will Notice
Florida States wide receiver room has already started to make room for Jasen Lopez, and not just as a freshman learning the ropes. He has earned snaps as a punt returner and worked his way into the receiving rotation, the kind of early path that usually comes from showing up every day with the right habits and enough athleticism to keep coaches interested.
Lopez has drawn praise for his work ethic, willingness to learn and ability to track down contested catches, with teammates and coaches noticing the way he carries himself. His background in basketball has also helped shape his football skill set, giving him another layer of versatility as he pushes to carve out a role fans will likely start noticing sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Gets A Huge Return As One Opener Concern Lingers
Florida State is getting a major boost back at receiver, with Duce Robinson choosing to return for the 2026 season after a 1,000-yard campaign in 2025 following his transfer from Southern Cal. Robinson said he knows there are parts of his game he can sharpen, and he has been working with Mike Norvell and Tim Harris Jr. to keep building on what became a breakout year in Tallahassee.
The bigger immediate concern now sits on the other side of the depth chart, where Norvell offered a less certain injury picture for the upcoming opener. He said some players could end up being game-time decisions, including true freshman Devin Carter, leaving Florida State with at least one late-week question even as it celebrates Robinson's return. [Read more 🡒]