A new season is here in Tallahassee, and Florida State is finally putting the offseason chatter aside and lining up for New Mexico State on Saturday night.
The Seminoles opened the 2026 campaign by releasing their first depth chart ahead of the matchup, and while plenty of it matched expectations, there were a few spots worth watching. New Mexico State comes in after a 4-8 season, with Tony Sanchez entering his third year as head coach. The Aggies also have a new quarterback, turning to Furman transfer Trey Hedden to lead the offense.
For Florida State, the biggest early wrinkle comes behind center. Mike Norvell has been talking up former JUCO quarterback Malachi Marshall, and the new depth chart lists him as a co-backup with Kevin Sperry. That puts Marshall in position to potentially be the first quarterback off the bench behind Ashton Daniels on Saturday.
The backfield looks more settled. Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. are the names at the top of the running back room, with Quintrevion Wisner backing up Kromah. Even with that listing, Wisner still figures to get his share of work.
At receiver, the depth chart brought a couple of mild surprises. Jayvan Boggs appears to have secured the starting slot role, with Tae'Shaun Gelsey listed behind him. Jasen Lopez is placed behind Micahi Danzy, a setup that may reflect Devin Carter's injury and the lack of depth at the position.
Landen Thomas and Desirrio Riles are listed as co-starters, and the offensive line stays in line with what had been expected since spring wrapped up.
On defense, the front matches the projection, with Darryll Desir, Daniel Lyons, Mandrell Desir, and Rylan Kennedy taking the first reps. At linebacker, Chris Jones is joined by Omar Graham Jr. and either Caleb LaVallee or Blake Nichelson.
The secondary also has some clarity. Quindarrius Jones won the starting corner job opposite Ja'Bril Rawls, while Ashlynd Barker and Ma'Khi Jones are the lone starters at safety.
CJ Richard Jr. and K.J. Kirkland remain unresolved.
In Other News...
Florida State Already Faces A Familiar Worry With Ashton Daniels
Ashton Daniels Florida State debut gave the Seminoles a little of everything, which is often how transfer quarterback stories begin in August and September. He showed enough to suggest there is something to work with, but the opener also included an interception and the kind of uneven passing line that leaves a staff talking more about the next step than the first impression.
Mike Norvell didnt hide the fact that there are areas Daniels needs to clean up, and that matters because Florida State is already trying to sort out what it really has in a quarterback with a fresh start. The wider lesson from the weekend was familiar around college football: a new face can bring promise, but the first game can also expose how much still has to be built before the confidence matches the potential. [Read more 🡒]
Florida States Newcomers Already Put One Depth Chart Battle In Focus
Florida States season opener against New Mexico State offered a first real look at just how much turnover the roster absorbed this year. With 62 newcomers on a 109-player team, the Seminoles are still sorting out who fits where, and the 34-17 win provided an early snapshot of several transfers making their first appearance in garnet and gold. Quarterback Ashton Daniels, running back Quintrevion Wisner, and a group of offensive and defensive linemen all got on the field, while special teams additions like kicker Gabe Panikowski and punter Daniel Hughes also made their debuts.
For a team that brought in 35 freshmen and 27 transfers, the opener was as much about evaluation as it was about the scoreboard. The newcomers gave Florida State an immediate depth-chart test at multiple spots, and the staff now has at least one game of live evidence to weigh as it decides who can handle bigger roles moving forward. Some of those answers may come quickly, but the larger picture is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
FSUs First Depth Chart Leaves One Big Week 1 Debate Open
Florida States first official depth chart for the opener against New Mexico State is now out, and it offers the first real look at how Mike Norvell wants his team lined up heading into Week 1. The chart lays out starters and backups across offense, defense and special teams, giving a clearer sense of where the Seminoles feel settled and where the competition is still going.
Norvell said the plan is to keep releasing depth charts throughout the season, which should make the document a useful snapshot of how roles are changing as the year goes on. For now, though, the release still leaves one notable Week 1 debate hanging in the air, the kind of decision that can tell you as much about the staffs priorities as the names printed on the page. [Read more 🡒]