FSU football: DE Patrick Payton plans on entering transfer portal

FSU football received horrific news on Sunday afternoon that they would not be included in the College Football Playoff after going undefeated on the season.

The bad news continued on Tuesday night as redshirt sophomore defensive Patrick Payton announced on social media that he plans on entering the transfer portal.

This news was a shocking turn of events as the Miami (FL) native was a starter at the defensive end position alongside ultra-talented Jared Verse. During the 2023 season, he finished with 41 total tackles (13.5 tackles for loss) and six sacks.

With Verse most likely heading to the NFL, the former four-star prospect was going to be the leader on the Seminoles’ defensive line for 2024. Coming into Tallahassee, the Miami Northwestern High School standout was very talented but his frame needed to bulk up as he was listed below 200 pounds as a freshman. He is now up to 239 pounds and has developed his frame nicely.

Even if Payton does indeed enter the transfer portal, he can still have the choice to return with the Seminoles. In today’s landscape of college football, NIL is a big factor with several collegiate athletes. In my opinion, I would not blame the talented defender if he wanted to enter the transfer portal to test his market value.

The transfer portal window runs from December 4th to January 2nd.

Florida State has already seen quite a few players on their roster that have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal such as quarterback AJ Duffy, running back CJ Campbell Jr, tight ends Markeston Douglas and Preston Daniel, offensive linemen Qaeshon Sapp and Daughtry Richardson, defensive tackle Ayo Tifase, and linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner.

There will likely continue to be more players that make their intentions on transferring. That is the nature of the sport as well as a method of gaining more scholarships. However, if Patrick Payton does indeed transfer to another institution, it will certainly sting.