Florida State Faces Major Roster Overhaul with 27 Players Hitting the Transfer Portal
Florida State football is no stranger to the transfer portal - under Mike Norvell, the Seminoles have built, rebuilt, and retooled their roster through it year after year. But this offseason feels different. With 27 players announcing their intention to enter the portal when it opens on January 2, FSU is staring down one of the most significant roster shakeups in recent memory.
Some of these players could still return, but the expectation is that most - if not all - will be suiting up elsewhere in 2025. With the portal window set to close on January 16, this two-week stretch is going to be pivotal for Florida State’s future.
Headliners on Defense: Barker and Rawls Leave Big Shoes to Fill
The biggest blows come on the defensive side, where FSU is losing two key starters in the secondary: Ashlynd Barker and Ja’Bril Rawls. These weren’t just role players - they were foundational pieces in a defense that had its moments under coordinator Tony White.
Barker emerged as a steady presence at safety, taking over the starting job from Shyheim Brown and pairing well with Earl Little Jr. His stat line - 48 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups - only tells part of the story. Barker brought physicality and range to the back end, and his versatility was a major asset.
Rawls, meanwhile, might’ve been the most improved player on the entire roster. He stepped up in a big way, becoming the team’s most consistent defender.
His 40 tackles, one interception, fumble recovery, and two pass breakups don’t just reflect production - they reflect impact. Rawls was a difference-maker, plain and simple, and replacing that kind of presence won’t be easy.
Offensive Departures: Pittman, Sawchuk, and Boggs Headline Losses
Offensively, the Seminoles are also taking some hits, though the depth chart may be better positioned to absorb them.
Running back Gavin Sawchuk was a key contributor in a crowded backfield, rushing for 408 yards and eight touchdowns. He brought speed and vision, and his ability to find the end zone made him a valuable weapon. But with Ousmane Kromah, Samuel Singleton, and incoming freshman Amari Thomas in the fold, the Seminoles have options ready to step up.
Tight end Randy Pittman Jr. is a different story. He was a true Swiss Army knife - a guy who could block, catch, run, and even throw.
He made history this season by becoming the first Seminole to throw for, run for, and catch a touchdown in the same game. His final line: 23 receptions for 208 yards, two receiving touchdowns, and three rushing scores.
Losing that kind of versatility stings, especially with Landen Thomas also entering the portal and Amaree Williams trending toward a full-time move to defensive end. If Pittman doesn’t return, tight end becomes a high-priority position for FSU moving forward.
Wide receiver Jayvan Boggs is another intriguing loss. The true freshman showed flashes - nine catches for 103 yards and a touchdown - but injuries and the emergence of Lawayne McCoy and Micahi Danzy limited his role. There’s potential there, but FSU may be able to weather his departure more easily than others.
Full List of FSU Players Entering the Transfer Portal
Here’s the full list of Seminoles who have announced their intent to enter the portal:
- RB Gavin Sawchuk - Dec. 28
- OL Manassee Itete - Dec. 28
- DB Ashlynd Barker - Dec. 28
- WR Jayvan Boggs - Dec. 27
- DL James Williams - Dec. 26
- QB Brock Glenn - Dec. 23
- WR Elijah Moore - Dec. 22
- TE Landen Thomas - Dec. 21
- DL Jayson Jenkins - Dec. 18
- QB Jaylen King - Dec. 17
- TE Randy Pittman - Dec. 16
- LB Omar Graham - Dec. 16
- DL Jaden Jones - Dec. 16
- RB Kam Davis - Dec. 16
- DB Ja’Bril Rawls - Dec. 16
- DB Cai Bates - Dec. 15
- WR Camdon Frier - Dec. 12
- DB Smoke White - Dec. 10
- DB Edwin Joseph - Dec. 10
- WR Willy Suarez - Dec. 10
- RB Jaylin Lucas - Dec. 10
- DT Jamorie Flagg - Dec. 10
- TE Luke Douglas - Dec. 10
- **OT Mario Nash Jr. ** - Dec.
9
- **DT L.A.
Jessie Harrold** - Dec. 6
- DT Tyland Coleman - Dec. 9
- LB Jayden Parrish - Dec. 5
What’s Next for Florida State?
Roster construction is the name of the game in college football these days, and Florida State knows that better than most. This isn’t the first time the Seminoles have seen a mass exodus - and under Norvell, they’ve often turned portal losses into portal gains.
But make no mistake: this wave of departures will test the program’s depth, development, and recruiting strategy. There’s plenty of talent still on the roster and more coming in, but the next few weeks will go a long way in determining whether FSU can reload or if a rebuild is on the horizon.
The portal opens January 2. The clock is ticking.