As FSU fans have become accustomed to since Mike Norvell took over, the Seminoles put in a lot of work getting players out of the transfer portal. The players FSU acquired this cycle might not have gotten the notoriety of previous years, but that doesn't mean it lacked quality.
As a matter of fact, ESPN's Bill Connelly placed the Seminoles among the honorable mention programs that had the best incoming transfer classes. Connelly specifically mentioned the additions of cornerback Nehemiah Chandler (South Alabama) and linebacker Chris Jones (Southern Mississippi) and said that quarterback Ashton Daniels (Auburn) was an upgrade.
First availability after spring break for Florida State football.
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) March 24, 2026
Head coach Mike Norvell calling out former @WakullaFootball standout Nehemiah Chandler.
“Really good cover guy who’s still really developing physically.”
Chandler transferred in from South Alabama. pic.twitter.com/nTpf7El1LD
ESPN's Bill Connelly gives FSU a solid grade for transfer additions
Chandler is a redshirt sophomore that should give the Seminoles a couple of years of starter-level snaps. He is originally from Jacksonville and played high school football at nearby Wakulla, so he's basically a local recruit. Chandler spent a redshirt year at Georgia Tech, but got on the field with South Alabama and led the Sun Belt conference with 13 pass breakups.
Jones was probably the biggest get for the Seminoles on defense. A lot of programs wanted him and FSU had to pony up to convince him not to sign with Ole Miss. Connelly describes Jones as a tackling machine and his numbers at Southern Miss (180 tackles in two seasons) would back that up. Jones really intrigues me as a playmaker because he has 12 tackles for loss as well.
Daniels is another in a long line of polarizing quarterback choices from Norvell, but Connelly has always been a little higher on the Auburn/Stanford transfer than most. He believes that Daniels will be an upgrade from Tommy Castellanos and has him ranked among the top 40 starting quarterbacks in the Power 4.
Norvell's job is likely on the line this year, so the players he has brought in won't have much time for an adjustment period, but if Connelly is right, FSU may pull off a few surprises this year.