Florida State football finished with a 2-10 record in 2024, and usually, that means that the Seminoles' entire roster could change, and no position is safe.
The Seminoles have made it a priority to add transfers this offseason. Head football coach Mike Norvell knew that acquiring talent on the roster would be one of the only ways to get the standard of winning championships back to Florida State.
The focus has been on the offensive and defensive trenches with various transfers. However, one position that we have not seen much movement in is the defensive back.
Florida State is having to replace pieces such as Azareye'h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress II, and Kevin Knowles. Thomas was the sole leader to the secondary and looks to be a top-three round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
It does help that safety Shyheim Brown looks to return to Tallahassee in 2025 after he was thought to be navigating to the NFL last offseason.
You didn't know what to expect as new defensive coordinator Tony White takes over at Florida State. His 3-3-5 defensive scheme is something that the Seminoles will have to get used to. They are no longer just primarily running man-to-man coverage, and they will be disguising coverages to confuse offenses.
I already mentioned in previous articles that I am high on defensive backs such as Quindarrius Jones and Edwin Joseph. However, the position unit has many other playmakers under the leadership of assistant coaches Patrick Surtain Sr. and Evan Cooper.
Florida State has other returning pieces, such as Earl Little Jr., Charles Lester III, Conrad Hussey, Cai Bates, Jamari Howard, KJ Kirkland, Ricky Knight III, Ashlynd Barker, and Ja'Bril Rawls. They also have three signees: Gregory Thomas, Shamar Arnoux, and Max Redmon.
The Seminoles have plenty of talent in the defensive backfield. I believe that they just have to allow those players to grow and develop during the 2025 season. Unless a can't-miss talent becomes available in the transfer portal, I think it would be wise to trust what they have on the roster.