Florida State football had a phenomenal season-opening victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 31-17. However, ESPN analysts Paul Finebaum and Greg McElroy thought prior to the game that the Seminoles stood no chance.
Former quarterback Thomas Castellanos made his famous interview quote with On3's Pete Nakos, where he mentioned that Alabama couldn't stop him, and legendary Nick Saban wasn't there to save them from Florida State. Individuals thought he was insane, but he turned out to be right.
Unfortunately, the Seminoles struggled down the stretch and are in the offseason trying to bring new energy to the team for 2026. Let's not forget that Florida State has to play Alabama again next season, and it will be in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama adds quality offensive line help with Mississippi State's Jayvin James
Alabama lost a ton of players this offseason, which included quarterback Ty Simpson, who entered to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. While Simpson wasn't the greatest down the stretch, he was still a first-round draft pick that the Crimson Tide relied on in clutch moments.
The Crimson Tide will now rely on redshirt freshman quarterback Keelon Russell (if Alabama doesn't think veteran Austin Mack would be the answer). According to ESPN Stats and Information, Russell completed 11 of his 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns during the 2025 season.
However, the former five-star prospect was playing against the likes of Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois. It looks like 2026 could be tougher, where the Crimson Tide plays at Kentucky in the second week of the season before taking on Florida State at home in the third game.
Since Russell will be entering his first season of serious potential for collegiate experience, he will need an offensive line to protect him, and it looks like the Crimson Tide found their guy with Mississippi State transfer offensive tackle Jayvin James, as he committed to Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.
BREAKING: Mississippi State transfer OT Jayvin James has Committed to Alabama, he tells @On3
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 21, 2026
The 6’5 320 OT has made 21 starts in his career
He’ll have 2 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/L6rtZkhMHA
This is a Florida State defensive line that needs to develop this offseason. While they did bring back youngsters such as the Desir Twins and Kevin Wynn, they need more of their true freshmen, as well as Rylan Kennedy and Jordan Sanders, to step up.