Florida State football did not perform well at all during the 2024 season. Simply put, this was something that the fan base wanted to flush down the toilet and forget that it even happened.
With that being said, there were some moments. The veterans on the squad (for the most part) did not meet expectations. However, the Seminoles were tasked with starting the youth movement sooner than it would have liked.
Florida State relied a ton on the transfer portal because some of the recruits have not panned out in the fashion that the coaching staff wants. As a result, they had to selective with who they put out on the field.
One name that impressed me was redshirt freshman defensive back Edwin Joseph. The former four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle from Chaminade-Madonna Prep stood out on the defensive side of the football.
The Seminoles' secondary had veterans such as Azareye'h Thomas, Shyheim Brown, and Fentrell Cypress II, who had a ton of attention. But Joseph held his own in the slot.
It started in Dublin, Ireland, versus Georgia Tech, where Joseph made an appearance on the special team during punt coverage. He obliterated a Yellow Jacket returner. You could feel his presence in the moment that he did not want to back down from the challenge.
Joseph finished the 2024 season with 13 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception.
INTERCEPTION! @josephedwinnn snags his first career INT just before the half. #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/Jr2gMuhhGq
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 22, 2024
Joseph stated during a practice in the middle of the 2024 season: "If you don't want to be here no more, go home!" That message speaks volumes to the mindset of what the youngster is all about in bringing Florida State back to where they want to be.
Florida State kept defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. and added safeties coach Evan Cooper this offseason. It should be telling that the Seminoles have not been very active in acquiring defensive back prospects in the transfer portal, even with losing pieces such as Azareye'h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress II, and Kevin Knowles.
The Seminoles added three defensive back prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle with: Gregory Thomas, Shamar Arnoux, and Max Redmon. However, I believe that Joseph has an excellent chance to be a starting cornerback alongside his fellow 2023 recruiting class member, Quindarrius Jones.