FSU’s Roster Shake-Up: 23 Players Enter Transfer Portal as Seminoles Restructure Front Office
Florida State is heading into 2025 with a much different look than it had just a few weeks ago. The Seminoles are facing a significant roster overhaul, with 23 scholarship players announcing their intention to enter the transfer portal once the window opens in January. That’s not just a few depth pieces moving on - it’s a wave of talent heading out the door, including contributors on both sides of the ball.
Among the most notable names are running back Gavin Sawchuk, safety Ashlynd Barker, and EDGE rusher James Williams. All three saw meaningful snaps this past season and were expected to be part of the core heading into 2025. Their departures leave some immediate holes that FSU will need to address, either through the portal themselves or by accelerating the development of younger players already on the roster.
Also leaving is offensive lineman Manasse Itete, a reserve piece but still part of the trenches rotation - an area where depth always matters, especially in the ACC where line play can make or break a season.
Here’s the full list of scholarship players who’ve announced plans to transfer:
- Linebacker Jayden Parrish
- Defensive end L A Jesse Harrold
- **Offensive lineman Mario Nash Jr. **
- Defensive lineman Tyeland Coleman
- Defensive lineman Jamorie Flagg
- Running back Jaylin Lucas
- Defensive back Edwin Joseph
- Wide receiver Camdon Frier
- Defensive back Cai Bates
- Defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls
- Running back Kam Davis
- Defensive end Jaden Jones
- **Linebacker Omar Graham Jr.
**
- **Tight end Randy Pittman Jr.
**
- Defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins
- Tight end Landen Thomas
- Wide receiver Elijah Moore
- Quarterback Brock Glenn
- EDGE James Williams
- Wide receiver Jayvan Boggs
- Defensive back Ashlynd Barker
- Offensive lineman Manasse Itete
- Running back Gavin Sawchuk
That’s a cross-section of the roster - offense, defense, skill positions, and trenches - and it signals a clear transition period for Mike Norvell’s program. The quarterback room takes a hit with Brock Glenn’s departure, while the losses of Kam Davis and Jaylin Lucas at running back further thin out a once-deep backfield.
On defense, the exits of Barker, Williams, and multiple linemen like Jamorie Flagg and Jayson Jenkins mean the Seminoles will need to rebuild their defensive front and secondary in a hurry. This isn’t just about replacing talent - it’s about reestablishing chemistry and leadership in key units.
Front Office Moves Signal Strategic Reset
Amid the roster movement, Florida State is also reshaping its front office. The Seminoles have brought in John Garrett as their new General Manager and Taylor Edwards as Executive Director of Player Acquisitions. These aren’t just ceremonial titles - they’re critical hires that reflect a more modern approach to roster building in the NIL and transfer portal era.
Garrett brings a wealth of experience and is expected to help streamline both high school recruiting and portal strategy, while Edwards will be tasked with identifying and landing impact players to restock the talent pool.
In today’s college football landscape, where roster turnover is the new norm, these hires are about staying ahead of the curve. FSU’s leadership clearly understands that success now hinges not just on gameday execution, but on year-round roster management.
What’s Next
With the portal open and the coaching carousel still spinning, Florida State isn’t alone in navigating a major offseason reset. But the sheer volume of departures - especially from scholarship players - puts the Seminoles in a unique position. They’ll need to be aggressive, smart, and strategic in how they fill these gaps.
The good news? The staff has shown it can recruit and adapt. Now it’s about executing under pressure - not on Saturdays, but in living rooms, Zoom calls, and campus visits.
One thing’s for sure: the 2025 Seminoles will look a whole lot different. Whether that’s a good thing or a setback will depend on what happens next.