Florida State football did not have the season that it wanted, as it finished with a 5-7 record. The fan base thought that the Seminoles could be serious College Football Playoff contenders after beating Alabama in the season opener.
However, we saw Florida State fall off the tracks and not be able to bounce back appropriately. Head football coach Mike Norvell is now under fire with the fan base, as they want answers to get the Seminoles back to being championship contenders.
College football went through a transfer portal window where players could enter the portal. There were 35 players on the current roster who went in the portal, but I wanted to highlight three of the biggest losses from that bunch.
DB EARL LITTLE JR (OHIO STATE)
Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White made a bold statement this past offseason when he called defensive back Earl Little Jr. "Him". It seemed like Coach White was on to something when Little Jr. played so aggressively against his former team, Alabama. He showed flashes of physicality the rest of the year, but it is still someone that the defense didn't want to lose. Ohio State likely got itself a leader on defense.
WR LAWAYNE MCCOY (LOUISVILLE)
Wide receiver Lawayne McCoy was someone that the Seminoles were working on his development. Head football coach Mike Norvell even called McCoy an X-factor during a press conference. The pass catcher started to find his stride to close out the year, but now the Seminoles have to face him during the 2026 season when they play Louisville on the road.
TE RANDY PITTMAN JR (SMU)
I know that fans roll their eyes when the Seminoles go after tight ends. It isn't a flashy position, but the coaches use them in the offense quite a bit. Fans were surprised to see tight end Randy Pittman Jr. enter the portal because of his relationship with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. In terms of impact, the veteran brought physicality as a run and pass blocker and could grab a couple of passes as well (except for the Clemson game). Just like McCoy, Florida State will now have to play against him when they face SMU in Doak Campbell Stadium.