Florida State football had to see many youngsters take the field during the 2024 season as they ended up finishing with a 2-10 record. While you like to see the young contributors take a significant role if they are ready, you don't want to see them play before they are ready to compete.
After the double-digit loss to Boston College at home, the fan base knew that it could be a long year for the program that had many expectations of competing for a conference championship and national championship in the preseason.
Florida State has made major changes to its program where it added six new coaches to the staff. Not to mention the fact that the Seminoles acquired new pieces via the transfer portal and recruiting ranks.
Veteran transfers such as Thomas Castellanos, Duce Robinson, James Williams, and Elijah Herring are heavily discussed by the fan base in terms of being players who should be heavy contributors for the 2025 season.
However, the question arises when addressing which true freshmen on offense and defense will most likely get some burn this season. Here are my thoughts:
OFFENSE: WR JAYVAN BOGGS
I could have chosen tight end Chase Loftin, who head football coach Mike Norvell called "a top target" for the Seminoles in the 2025 recruiting cycle. However, he will have to deal with getting playing time over other players at the position such as Randy Pittman Jr., Landen Thomas, Markeston Douglas, and even Amaree Williams (if he doesn't play 100% of the time at defensive end).
I selected wide receiver Jayvan Boggs. I know that the Seminoles have pass catchers such as Duce Robinson and Squirrel White, but they have to find another option to emerge in the position group. Former four-star wide receiver Jayvan Boggs from Cocoa, Florida was someone who was committed to UCF when Gus Malzahn was the head coach.
Boggs was a special talent in high school where he was named Mr. Football and recorded 99 receptions for 2,133 yards and 21 touchdowns. They need that type of production at Florida State. I know that Malzahn will be looking for the youngster to take the next step forward.
DEFENSE: CB SHAMAR ARNOUX
Florida State football did not acquire any defensive backs in the transfer portal. This tells me that they are confident with what they have in the secondary. The Seminoles have notable pieces such as Quindarrius Jones, Ja'Bril Rawls, and Charles Lester III that the fan base is excited about.
The Seminoles are having to replace the likes of Azareye'h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress II, and Kevin Knowles II. They were all pivotal pieces in the cornerback rotation so Florida State will have their work cut out for them.
True freshman cornerback Shamar Arnoux was a big win for the coaching staff as they flipped him from the Auburn Tigers during the Early Signing Period. The former Carrollton High School standout has not disappointed as he has turned heads with the coaching staff with his play. Then defensive coordinator Tony White raved about him after the Seminoles' second spring scrimmage.
Get ready to potentially hear Shamar "Dudie" Arnoux's name in 2025.