Florida State’s offseason has been anything but quiet-and not in the way Seminole fans were hoping. After a stretch where the program won just seven games over two seasons, the expectation was that changes were coming. But the shakeups that have unfolded so far are raising more questions than answers, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Instead of a major overhaul in the coaching ranks, the most notable move came with the dismissal of defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. That decision caught many off guard.
Surtain Sr. was well-regarded by both players and fans, and his departure didn’t appear to be part of a mutual parting. His reaction on social media suggested the move came from the top down-and players clearly felt it.
The fallout has been swift. Defensive backs have been hitting the transfer portal at a concerning rate.
Ja'Bril Rawls, Cai Bates, Christian White, and Edwin Joseph have all opted to leave the program. And now, starting safety Ashlynd Barker is joining them.
Barker’s exit is a significant blow. He started nine games this season and played in 36 overall during his time in Tallahassee.
His production speaks for itself-78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception, and two pass deflections. He was a key piece in Florida State’s secondary, a versatile defender who brought physicality and experience to the back end of the defense.
Former Seminole and national champion Nile Lawrence-Stample summed up the collective frustration in a tweet that echoed the sentiments of many around the program. It’s not just about one player leaving-it’s about the pattern that’s emerging. Florida State is losing leadership, production, and depth in a unit that was already expected to be tested in 2026.
And it doesn’t stop with Barker. The defensive backfield could also be without Earl Little Jr., who’s eyeing the NFL Draft, and veteran Shyheim Brown, who’s moving on after graduation. That’s a trio of experienced contributors potentially out the door, all in one offseason.
Now the pressure shifts to the new defensive backs coaches, Evan Cooper and Blue Adams. Their task?
Stabilize a secondary that’s suddenly thin and in flux. What once looked like a position group that might only need minor reinforcement through the portal now looks like a full-on rebuild.
For defensive coordinator Tony White, this offseason just got a lot more challenging. White, entering his second year at the helm of the Seminoles’ defense, runs a multiple 3-3-5 scheme that leans heavily on versatile, disciplined defensive backs. With matchups against Alabama, Clemson, Louisville, and Miami looming next season, Florida State can’t afford to have a patchwork secondary.
The good news? There’s still time to reload.
The portal is open, and Florida State has shown it can be aggressive when it needs to be. But this wasn’t the script fans envisioned heading into the winter.
Instead of building on momentum, the Seminoles are trying to stop the bleeding.
The offseason is far from over, but one thing is clear: Florida State’s secondary is at a crossroads, and how the coaching staff responds in the coming weeks could define the defense’s ceiling in 2026.