Florida State got a long look at its new faces in Saturday’s 34-17 win over New Mexico State, with 26 players making their Seminoles debut at Doak Campbell Stadium.
That group was spread across every phase of the game. Some were asked to step into major roles right away, while others got their first snaps on special teams or in reserve duty. Here’s how the newcomers fared in Tallahassee.
At quarterback, Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels opened the night as the starter and handled a busy workload. He finished 17-of-27 for 202 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also adding eight carries for 30 yards and another score on the ground.
The backfield also included Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner, who was the third running back into the mix. He logged four carries for 34 yards, with a long run of 16, and added three catches for four yards on three targets.
Up front, the Seminoles leaned heavily on transfer help. Auburn’s Xavier Chaplin started at left tackle and was on the field for all 69 snaps, giving up one pressure and one hit while also drawing a pair of penalties. He still came away with FSU’s highest run-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus.
Purdue transfer Bradyn Welch-Joiner started at center and also played all 69 snaps, allowing two hurries and two pressures. Bowling Green transfer Nate Pabst started at right guard and was also in for every snap, with no pressures allowed and FSU’s top pass-blocking grade per Pro Football Focus.
At right tackle, Stephen F. Austin transfer Chimdia Nwaiwu started and played all 69 snaps, but allowed five pressures, a sack, a hit and three hurries.
Bowling also made his debut on special teams, working with the field goal kick unit.
At tight end, East Carolina transfer Desirrio Riles split the primary workload with Landen Thomas and played 36 offensive snaps, though he did not record a statistic.
Florida State got production on defense from several newcomers as well. Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy started at Jack and posted two tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss in 44 defensive snaps. Texas State transfer Jordan Sanders played 11 defensive snaps as a reserve and did not record any stats.
At linebacker, North Carolina transfer Mikai Gbayor came off the bench for 17 snaps and finished with four tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Chris Jones, a transfer from North Carolina, started at linebacker, played 30 snaps and earned the top overall defensive grade via Pro Football Focus. He also led the team in pass rush and coverage grades and finished second on the team with six tackles, including three solo stops.
In the secondary, South Alabama transfer Nehemiah Chandler played 33 snaps as a reserve and added three tackles and a pass breakup. He was targeted seven times and allowed four catches for 29 yards.
Southern Illinois transfer CJ Richard Jr. started at safety, played 55 snaps and was second only to Ashlynd Barker in tackle grade via Pro Football Focus. He allowed one catch for 20 yards on two targets.
Duke transfer Ma'Khi Jones made the first start of his college career, played 53 snaps and had five tackles, though he also missed a tackle. He allowed three completions on three targets, but for just 13 yards.
Special teams featured several debutants too. Quincy transfer Conor McAneney handled kickoff duties, North Dakota State transfer Caleb Bowers served as long snapper, and New Mexico transfer Daniel Hughes took over punting. Hughes averaged 47 yards per punt, had a long of 53, put one kick of 50 or more yards on the board and placed one punt inside the 20.
Kicking duties belonged to Oklahoma State transfer Gabe Panikowski, who went 2-for-2 on field goals from 43 and 41 yards and 4-for-4 on extra points. He is now 17-for-17 on field goals at the collegiate level, including 15-for-15 at Idaho State in 2024.
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 First Depth Chart Raises A Few Early Questions
Florida States first depth chart for the 2026 season arrived ahead of the matchup with New Mexico State, and it immediately gave Seminoles followers a clearer picture of how the staff is lining things up before the opener. The chart lays out starters and backups across the major spots, from quarterback and running back to wide receiver, the offensive line and the defense, offering the first real snapshot of the two-deep as game week gets going.
Even in an initial release, though, there were a few spots that stood out and hinted at some early competition still settling in. With New Mexico State coming in under its own coaching direction, Florida States depth chart does more than just list names. It gives a first look at how the Seminoles are sorting out roles, and it leaves a few interesting questions hanging as they head into the first game. [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 🡒]