Florida State’s path this season starts where a lot of football games are won or lost: up front.
The Seminoles have spent another offseason rebuilding the offensive line through the transfer portal, while the defensive front is being shaped around speed and athleticism instead of the old-school bulk that usually defines a college trench unit. With preseason camp set to open next week, those two groups are about to move from theory to reality as FSU prepares for New Mexico State and week 0.
On offense, this is a brand-new look again. Offensive line coach Herb Hand has pieced together a second straight rebuilt unit, blending portal additions with a few holdovers who were developed in-house. Andre' Otto and Jayden Todd are among the returners in position to factor in, but the starting five from the 2025 season are gone.
The biggest additions are Xavier Chaplin and likely starting center Baydn Welch-Joiner. Chaplin brings massive size at 6-foot-8 and 346 pounds, while Welch-Joiner checks in at 6-foot-2 and 327 pounds. Both also arrive with thousands of snaps already on their resumes.
That kind of turnover has become part of the modern college football cycle, especially on the offensive line. Players leave early for opportunities, and programs are left to rebuild faster than they used to.
FSU has been living in that reality, even if Otto and Todd show there’s still room for development from within. Otto is listed at 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, while Todd stands 6-6 and 303 pounds.
The Seminoles made it work last season, and they’ll need a similar result if they want the same kind of boost this fall. Preseason camp will be the last real window for the group to settle in, sort out the starters and build the kind of chemistry that matters in front of Daniels.
That matters even more with Mike Norvell taking back play-calling duties. Like the offense under Gus Malzahn last season, who retired in January, this team is expected to lean on the run. That puts a premium on getting the right combination up front so backs like Ousmane Kromah and Tre Wisnor have room to create explosive plays.
The defensive line is built differently, but it carries its own gamble.
FSU kept a lot of depth on that side, which is especially important in Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme. White also has Terrance Knighton back for Year 2 as defensive line coach and added edge Nick Williams to the staff mix.
This is not a group that jumps off the page with sheer size. Instead, the Seminoles are banking on athleticism and upside. White has made it clear he wants “twitchy” players, and that description fits the roster.
Mandrell Desir is the headliner after a freshman All-American season that included 6.5 sacks in 12 games. He was dangerous rushing the passer, but his run defense is still a work in progress. Pro Football Focus gave him a 48.3 run defense grade last season, and that’s an area White and Norvell will want improved, both from Desir and from the line as a whole.
Florida State had trouble stopping the run at times last season, including against Florida. The hope is that the athletic profile up front gives the Seminoles a better chance to chase runners down and close gaps before plays get loose.
At nose tackle, the job is expected to go to one of Daniel Lyons, Jordan Sanders or Kevin Wynn. Around them, Mandrell Desir and Darryll Desir, who had 23 tackles and a sack last season, should be major parts of the rotation, along with Rylan Kenedy, Jalen Anderson and Deante McCray on the edges.
FSU doesn’t have the kind of traditional trench enforcers many associate with dominant defensive lines. But the Seminoles are betting that versatility and twitch can carry the day.
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FSUs $400 Million Investment Sends A Clear Championship Message
Florida State has put a new football-only facility into service as part of a more than $400 million push that also includes Doak Campbell Stadium renovations, a clear sign the program is treating infrastructure as part of its competitive edge. The 140,000-square-foot building is designed to bring training, education and recovery under one roof, giving the Seminoles a more streamlined setup for player development while also doubling as a showcase for recruits.
Inside, the message is as important as the amenities. The building is filled with reminders of the programs history and championship standards, from Heisman Trophy displays to national title hardware and tributes to the players and coaches who helped build the brand. For Florida State, it is more than a new home base - it is a statement about where the program believes it belongs. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Norvell Just Added More Muscle To Florida States Biggest Weakness
Florida State has spent the offseason trying to harden the middle of its defense, and Mike Norvells latest move fits that mission. The Seminoles added Sanders, a transfer from Texas State who brings another body and some needed experience to a defensive front that has been a clear point of emphasis for the staff.
Sanders arrives with a reputation for helping against the run, which is exactly the kind of profile Florida State has been chasing as it looks to stabilize the interior before ACC play. The Seminoles have also kept Mandrell Desir, Darrlly Desir and Kevin Wynn in the fold while bringing in Rylan Kennedy from Texas A&M, but the bigger question is whether this collection of pieces is enough to turn a weakness into a strength. [Read more 🡒]
Florida States New Backfield Addition Comes With Real Offseason Intrigue
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Sands arrives as one of 24 additions Florida State has made this year, joining Quintrevion Wisner as part of the programs effort to deepen the position group. He will be in the mix for playing time in a backfield that already includes Osumane Kromah, Sam Singleton and Amari Thomas, which makes the spring and summer workouts worth watching closely as the Seminoles sort out how the rotation will take shape. [Read more 🡒]