Week 4 is nearly here for Florida State, and Central Arkansas is on the way to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles after the Week 3 loss to Alabama. There is a lot of built-up frustration surrounding the players, staff, and fanbase at the moment, with a 1-2 record to start the 2026 season. With the clear gaps between the two teams, Florida State needs to use the game as an opportunity to give multiple players a chance at proving themselves again.
3. Tre Wisner - RB, Senior
One of the more notable additions Florida State secured through the transfer portal was none other than running back Tre Wisner. Before entering the portal, Wisner starred at Texas during the 2024 season as the feature back ahead of Jaydon Blue. The Longhorns' running game took a hit in 2025, and Wisner saw his carries drop from 226 to 131 after one off-season.
A significant drop in carries and games missed due to injury led to Wisner additionally seeing a major shift in his production. Now, the running back is a member of the Florida State backfield, and the role he has been waiting for appears to have opened up with Samuel Singleton Jr. expected to miss time with a leg injury.
It has been no secret that Florida State paid for the 2024 version of Wisner, but due to the success of Singleton and Ousmane Kromah, there has not necessarily been a real path to the field for the running back. The game against Central Arkansas should give Wisner a chance to prove himself in Tallahassee, and any sort of boost on offense would be welcomed.
2. Rylan Kennedy - DL, Senior
If one position group was going to take the brunt of the blame for the 1-2 start to the 2026 season, it would likely be the defensive line. Florida State has generated virtually no pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, with four sacks in three games, two of which were recorded by a defensive back and a linebacker.
The defensive line has been extremely underwhelming so far this season, and with Tony White sticking around for at least another week, it might be time to give different players more opportunities on the field. One such player who should see more of the field against Central Arkansas is Rylan Kennedy, another notable transfer portal addition whom Florida State paid handsomely.
Kennedy transferred over from Texas A&M with the expectations of battling for a more prominent role, but the defender is on track to match his limited production from a season ago (14 tackles, two sacks). Kennedy played 41 snaps against SMU and promptly saw his total cut down to 22 snaps against Alabama after struggling in Week 1. Changes certainly can happen, but reducing the playing time for Kennedy instead of a player like Mandrell Desir, who is struggling equally as much, does not make sense.
Kennedy is not necessarily the problem with the Florida State defensive line, but he has also not been part of the solution. With an opponent like Central Arkansas coming to town, White should have an opportunity to be more aggressive with his playcalling. Kennedy is someone who can help achieve that goal, and a good game out of the defender could place him back into a more prominent role.
1. Desirrio Riles - TE, Senior
With tons of mouths to feed, like Ashton Daniels, Ousmane Kromah, Landen Thomas, Duce Robinson, and Samuel Singleton Jr., finding a way to get Desirrio Riles involved can be tough. However, Florida State needs as dynamic an offense as possible in order to make up for the current problems on defense. Not finding a way to get someone like Riles, who averages 10.3 yards per reception in his career, is like refusing to accept a gift.
The 2023 season is the last time Florida State really posed a threat at tight end, and since then, the offense has not had quite the same bite. Riles could become a dangerous part of the Seminoles' offense, but the question is whether or not the staff can find a way to do so. With Central Arkansas coming into town, the Seminoles may have time to experiment, which means Riles should be getting the football in his hands.
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