Florida State football has been through the wringer over the past two seasons. After a brutal 2024 campaign that saw 33 players hit the transfer portal, the Seminoles showed some signs of progress in 2025 - but let’s be clear, it was modest progress. They won a few more games, but the season still featured some tough, even embarrassing losses, and at one point, it looked like Mike Norvell might not make it to the end of the year.
But Norvell is sticking around, and FSU is making moves behind the scenes. The program has bolstered its off-field infrastructure with new coaching hires, a General Manager, and an Executive Director of Player Acquisitions - titles that speak to how modern college football operates in the era of NIL and the transfer portal.
That said, the roster turnover isn’t slowing down. Nearly 30 players have already announced their intentions to enter the portal ahead of its January 2nd opening, and that number could grow.
Now, it’s important to note that most of the players leaving haven’t been major contributors. In fact, many were on the roster bubble or simply weren’t producing.
A few recent departures had seen some playing time, but none were considered cornerstones. In today’s landscape, this kind of churn is part of the game - especially for programs trying to rebuild or retool.
Still, the volume of exits has drawn attention, and one former Seminole isn’t holding back.
Antonio Cromartie, a standout defensive back at FSU who went on to a Pro Bowl NFL career, has been vocal on social media about the current state of the program and the transfer portal exodus. Cromartie tweeted that if he were on staff, much of this “portal stuff” wouldn’t be happening. He also questioned whether players are transferring for development or if outside influences - like agents - are steering decisions with dollar signs in mind.
Let’s be real: Cromartie’s passion for FSU is undeniable. He was one of the most electric athletes to come through Tallahassee and clearly wants to see the program return to national relevance.
He’s also no stranger to the college coaching world, having served as a graduate assistant under Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M. But since then, he hasn’t landed a coaching role at the college level.
There could be reasons for that. Cromartie was outspoken early in Norvell’s tenure, even admitting he had to apologize for some of his comments about the coaching staff.
That kind of public criticism, especially when you're not part of the current program, doesn't always sit well in coaching circles. Still, Norvell extended an olive branch last year by offering Cromartie’s son a spot on the team - a gesture that speaks to mutual respect, even if the relationship has had its bumps.
As for the current state of FSU’s secondary? It’s not like the unit was locking down ACC offenses.
Outside of JaBril Rawls - whose rumored NIL demands reportedly raised eyebrows - the group struggled. Many of the defensive backs were recruited for a different scheme and didn’t transition well.
So it’s fair to ask: did the staff even want to keep most of these players?
FSU isn’t alone in this. Across the country, programs are losing starters to the portal.
This is the new normal for teams that aren’t sitting at the top of the college football food chain. Roster management has become a 12-month job, and programs are constantly reshaping their depth charts to keep up.
Cromartie’s frustration is understandable. He’s a proud alum who wants to see his school thrive.
But when you’re not in the building - not part of the daily grind of coaching, recruiting, and developing players - it’s tough to speak with authority about what’s really happening behind the scenes. And for someone who has aspirations of coaching at the college level, how you carry yourself publicly, especially on social media, matters.
There’s nothing wrong with offering analysis or critique - especially once the dust settles and the full picture becomes clear. But making sweeping claims without context can backfire, especially in an industry that values discretion and unity within a staff.
Florida State is in the middle of a rebuild - again. The staff is trying to reshape the roster, upgrade talent, and align the program with the realities of modern college football.
It’s a tough job, and it won’t happen overnight. But with Norvell returning, new leadership in the building, and the portal still open for business, the next few months will be critical in determining whether the Seminoles are truly headed in the right direction.