Florida State’s secondary just took a serious hit.
Ja’Bril Rawls, one of the Seminoles’ top defensive backs and a rising star before a late-season injury, is expected to enter the transfer portal. It’s a move that continues a wave of departures from FSU’s defensive backfield - and it leaves a major void heading into what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason in Tallahassee.
Before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final two games, Rawls had emerged as arguably the most impactful player on Florida State’s defense. The redshirt sophomore racked up 40 tackles, added a fumble recovery, picked off a pass, and broke up two more.
But those numbers only tell part of the story. Rawls wasn’t just productive - he was reliable in a unit that struggled to find consistency.
In defensive coordinator Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme, Rawls looked like a natural fit. He played with instincts, physicality, and a nose for the ball - the kind of traits that help anchor a secondary. And in a year where the Seminoles battled inconsistency on both sides of the ball, Rawls was one of the few defenders who brought it every week.
Now, Florida State finds itself in a tough spot. Rawls is just the latest name in a growing list of defensive backs heading for the portal.
The Seminoles have already seen Edwin Joseph, Smoke White, and Cai Bates opt to explore other opportunities. Add in the loss of veteran Jeremiah Wilson to graduation and the possibility of Earl Little Jr. declaring for the NFL Draft, and suddenly the depth chart in the secondary is looking thin.
Rebuilding that group will be a top priority for Mike Norvell and his staff - and they’ll need to move quickly. The portal is already buzzing with activity, and with so many roles to fill, FSU will have to be aggressive in both recruiting and development.
Here’s a look at the players expected to hit the portal from Florida State so far:
- DB Ja’Bril Rawls (Dec. 16)
- DB Cai Bates (Dec. 15)
- WR Camdon Frier (Dec. 12)
- DB Edwin Joseph (Dec. 10)
- DB Smoke White (Dec. 10)
- WR Willy Suarez (Dec. 10)
- RB Jaylin Lucas (Dec. 10)
- DT Jamorie Flagg (Dec. 10)
- TE Luke Dougals (Dec. 10)
- **OT Mario Nash Jr. ** (Dec.
- DT L A Jessie Harrold (Dec.
- DT Tyland Coleman (Dec.
- LB Jayden Parrish (Dec.
That’s a sizable group - and it reflects the kind of roster turnover that’s become increasingly common in the transfer portal era. For Florida State, the challenge now is clear: retool the roster, especially on defense, and find the next wave of contributors who can step in and keep the Seminoles competitive in 2026 and beyond.
But make no mistake - losing Ja’Bril Rawls stings. He was more than just a stat sheet guy.
He was a tone-setter. And replacing that kind of presence isn’t easy.