FSU football recruiting: How many transfer portal spots left in 2023 class?

FSU football is hosting its final slate of official visitors this weekend before the Early Signing Period, a mixture of high school commits and transfer portal targets.

The Noles have 16 high school commits and three transfer portal players committed. The NCAA waved the 25-player cap for recruiting classes this year, so teams can bring in as many players as they want as long as they stay at 85 or below scholarship players.

FSU has seen several players enter the transfer portal and await the decision of players like Fabien Lovett, Jared Verse, and Jammie Robinson.

If those guys decide to enter the NFL Draft, that opens three additional spots compared to now. There are still a handful of players that could enter the transfer portal later. I’d put that number at about 5-6, depending on how some things shake out.

FSU still has needs at defensive tackle, offensive line, and defensive back. The addition of tight end Kyle Morlock took care of what they wanted at tight end.

However, the other three positions need transfer portal players to help younger players bridge the gap until the 2024 season. FSU added five high school offensive linemen in 2022, with all five redshirting this year.

They added four defensive tackles(including Antavious Woody switching from OL to DT), with some playing a few promising snaps this season and continuing to develop.

FSU has enough returning experience with Joshua Farmer, Dennis Briggs, Malcolm Ray, and portal addition Darrell Jackson, that help from the transfer portal would allow those younger players to avoid getting thrown in the fire too early, which is why these transfer portal needs remain critical.

I think FSU will look to add one more defensive tackle, potentially two offensive linemen, and 2-3 defensive backs. FSU needs more depth at the latter, especially at safety, if Jammie Robinson leaves(and that’s likely).

That puts FSU at 25 total commits, with the potential to add about four more high school players for a total of 29 in this class. It all comes down to who else hits the portal or returns for next year.