Florida State’s defense didn’t have a ton of headliners this season, but one name consistently popped off the tape for all the right reasons: Ja’Bril Rawls. The redshirt sophomore defensive back brought physicality, instincts, and a competitive edge that coaches dream about. Now, he’s heading to the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining - and that’s a significant departure for the Seminoles.
Rawls wasn’t a five-star phenom coming out of high school. In fact, he was a three-star prospect with a modest offer sheet.
But Florida State saw something early. They were the first to extend an offer, and Rawls earned it by showing up to camp and proving he belonged.
That same underdog mentality carried him through Tallahassee, where he quietly developed into one of the most reliable defenders on the roster.
After redshirting in 2023 - a season where he saw action in three games - Rawls took a big step forward in 2024, playing in the final 11 contests. By 2025, he had worked his way into the starting lineup and never looked back. He became a steady presence in the secondary, a player who didn’t just fill a role - he shaped it.
Statistically, Rawls posted 58 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception during his time in garnet and gold. But his impact went beyond the box score.
He played with a chip on his shoulder, the kind of edge that made him a tone-setter for the defense. In a unit that lacked standout stars this season, Rawls was the exception - a homegrown talent developed through Florida State’s system.
That’s part of what makes this loss sting. Rawls represented a developmental success story for head coach Mike Norvell - a high school recruit brought in, coached up, and turned into a high-level contributor. Now, he’s on the move, becoming the third Seminole defensive back to hit the portal following the news that defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. won’t be returning for the 2026 season.
This isn’t just about losing a starting DB. It’s about losing a player who embodied the long-term vision of the program - a guy who came in raw and left polished. Rawls had the potential to be the anchor of next year’s defense, and his departure leaves a hole that won’t be easy to fill.
For Florida State, the challenge now is twofold: replace the production and replace the presence. Because Ja’Bril Rawls wasn’t just a starter - he was a tone-setter, a grinder, and proof that the Seminoles could develop overlooked talent into legitimate playmakers. And now, he’ll be doing that somewhere else.