Florida State had an early-mover advantage in the Transfer Portal era, embracing it fully and to great effect in the 2023 season. However, the Seminoles quickly learned about the volatility that comes with importing a new roster each offseason, and with his seat warming, Mike Norvell pivoted to a more high school-heavy approach with the 2026 class.Â
The Seminoles brought in 32 high schoolers in the class, along with 23 transfers and 2 JuCo transfers. That influx of talent is largely for the future, as the portal newcomers will make up for a large portion of lost production from last season’s 5-7 record. However, through fall camp, it’s become clear that a few freshmen will be tough for Norvell and his staff to keep off the field.Â
Of course, plenty of freshmen will play in garbage time or in non-conference matchups against New Mexico State and Arkansas State. Thanks to the new five-in-five eligibility rule, which does away with traditional redshirts, though, if a freshman is good enough, then they’ll see meaningful snaps in Year 1.Â
The 2026 FSU class earned its No. 17 national ranking based more on quantity than quality, but there are still a few studs who have generated buzz in fall camp.Â
4. Jordan Crutchfield
The back end of Florida State’s secondary is a bit murky heading into the year. It seems defensive coordinator Tony White is content to go with tandem starters at safety, with C.J. Richard Jr. and K.J. Kirkland splitting time next to Ashlynd Barker. The nickel spot was also thrown into a bit of chaos with Karson Hobbs’ season-ending injury, so Crutchfield will have a few different avenues to playing time.Â
He may not be a starter, or even a major contributor right away, but Crutchfield has excellent size for the safety position and was highlighted by Norvell as a young player who looked like he belonged. Eventually, it becomes difficult not to give a young player like that some real run in a few games to assess whether or not they can handle it.Â
3. Jaemin Pinckney
Last year, Mandrell and Darryll Desir forced their way onto the field as three-star freshmen. This year, it looks like Pinckney is going to do the same along the defensive line. Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy and JuCo product Jalen Anderson were supposed to be the answer at JACK after James Williams was a bit of a disappointment last season.Â
Then, this week, Tony White threw a bit of a wrench in those plans by telling reporters that Pinckney is pushing Kennedy and Anderson for snaps at JACK. If that’s the case now, how are they going to hold him off by the end of the season when he’s got more time in the system?Â
2. Izayia Williams
Florida State desperately needed to upgrade the second level of its defense after last season, and did so with the veteran transfer portal additions of Chris Jones Jr. and Mikai Gbayor. Plus, returners Omar Graham Jr. and Blake Nichelson appear set in the rotation. Still, Norvell hasn’t spent a lot of time this fall camp raving about Williams, who missed his entire senior season with a knee injury, but has not appeared worse for wear.Â
Williams is a freaky athlete at the second level, the type of sideline-to-sideline mover who would pair excellently with a downhill tackling machine like Jones. White has to work him into the mix early on, and if he’s up for the mental lift of the linebacker position, Williams should be given every opportunity to overtake Gbayor.Â
1. Jasen Lopez
Once again, there’s not a clear path for Jasen Lopez to see the field regularly in 2026. Jayvan Boggs, who started in the slot last year as a true freshman, returned from injury during fall camp to make it a competition. However, Lopez made up so much ground when he was out that he’s going to get a chance to play in the slot and likely as FSU’s primary punt returner.
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