Florida State football had a difficult two-year stretch filled with heartbreak and disappointment. Even when the Seminoles started the season with a 3-0 record, which included beating Alabama, they lost seven of their last nine games.
The Seminole faithful need a much-needed rest from the bad mojo that has been surrounding the program. This was a big opportunity for head football coach Mike Norvell this offseason to make a difference in the transfer portal window.
The first line of business was retaining pieces on the current roster that mattered such as wide receivers Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy, defensive linemen Mandrell and Darryll Desir, defensive backs Ja'Bril Rawls and Ashlynd Barker, and defensive tackle Kevin Wynn (just to name a few).
Florida State did well for the most part in the transfer portal window
Florida State fans have to be honest with themselves. The standard is always about winning championships here at this university, but there is uncertainty surrounding the program, considering the latest string of losses and the fact that head football coach Mike Norvell is still employed when some don't believe that he should be.
This isn't saying that Coach Norvell can't turn it around because we all saw what he did with Florida State in 2022 and 2023, but that seems like centuries ago. The roster needed work in the transfer portal because 5-7 will never cut it here with the Seminoles.
The biggest needs during the portal window were quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker for the Seminoles. You could honestly list the whole team because no position was a guarantee at this point.
However, Florida State grabbed a safe option at quarterback with Ashton Daniels, which allows Kevin Sperry the opportunity to start in 2026. Offensive line coach Herb Hand grabbed five transfers who had multiple games of collegiate experience, including one in Troy's Paul Bowling, who has multiple years of eligibility and can play center and guard.
Defensive line was all dependent on the Desir Twins returning (which they did), plus the Seminoles got Kevin Wynn to come back too. They did pick up Texas A&M's Rylan Kennedy and Texas State's Jordan Sanders, who could provide quality depth.
I like the defensive line room now, but I wish that Florida State grabbed another productive edge rusher. However, they saved the money for the next position that I want to discuss: Linebacker.
One of the biggest pickups that the Seminoles grabbed was Southern Miss linebacker transfer Chris Jones, who was formerly committed to Ole Miss. This was an elite grab from a position that Florida State has been struggling in over the past two years. Plus, the Seminoles got Mikai Gbayor, who played in Tony White's system, too.
The pickup of Jones instantly makes this transfer portal class better. He is exactly what the Seminoles needed for a defense that was not consistent in 2025 for Tony White. Overall, the transfer portal haul for Florida State wasn't perfect, but it addressed needs for weaknesses.