Florida State football had a 2024 season that I never thought was possible with the Seminoles. I thought the shortened COVID-filled 2020 campaign was rock bottom when Florida State went 3-6 in the first season of head football coach Mike Norvell.
With that being said, Norvell knew that changes needed to be made to the roster, including a new coaching staff as well as acquisitions of transfers and high school prospects.
One aspect individuals miss is also retaining the talented players on the roster. I get that the team was 2-10 on the year, and there probably aren't many quality ones worth keeping that didn't show regression.
The Seminoles announced a big one (literally) on social media as redshirt junior defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. is returning for his senior year at Florida State after previously declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jackson Jr. will be a pivotal piece in new defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 defensive scheme in hopes that the Seminoles can be better against the run that they were last year.
Another player announced that he would be returning in 2025. It is sophomore linebacker Justin Cryer.
UPDATE: FSU LB Justin Cryer announced that he will be returning for another season with the Seminoles, per his IG.
— Norvell Central (@CentralNorvell) December 17, 2024
With NIL being as crazy as it is, it is great to see Cryer coming back after the injury he sustained versus UNC. He had 21 tackles in the last five games. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5YSfsmeY5U
Cryer was a Northwestern transfer who made the move to Florida State before the 2023 season began. He was a former three-star prospect from the state of Texas that the Seminoles were involved with before he committed and signed with the Wildcats.
Cryer has been one of the more consistent linebackers on the roster. His aggressive instincts stand out when you watch his highlights. The Texas native finished with 32 total tackles in 2024. He suffered a scary injury in the game versus North Carolina, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Omar Graham Jr. also announced that he would be making his return to Florida State as well, after previously entering the transfer portal. Newly appointed linebackers coach John Papuchis will have a solid contributor in Justin Cryer for 2025. That should help the defense to have a veteran linebacker back.