FSU football: 5 biggest Winter transfer portal needs for the Noles
By Kelvin Hunt
Wide Receiver
One of the biggest weaknesses for the 2024 FSU team was the wide receiver position. FSU lost Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman to the 2024 NFL Draft. They had veteran guys returning, like Kentron Poitier, Darion Williamson, Deuce Spann, and Ja'Khi Douglas.
All projects out of high school and battled injuries for the better part of their careers, and Douglas was the most dependable, only standing 5'9" and 185 pounds.
FSU coaches knew they likely couldn't depend solely on these guys to carry the load, so they added former Alabama receiver Malik Benson and former LSU receiver Jalen Brown.
Benson had little production at Alabama but elite speed. Brown had elite speed but didn't catch a pass at LSU while redshirting.
Douglas led the team in every statistical receiving category, and Benson was second with 25 receptions, 311 yards, and one touchdown. The rest offered literally nothing, and all will likely be gone from the program unless Brown decides not to enter the transfer portal.
FSU brought in a talented group of receivers in its 2024 recruiting class, but they won't be ready to make huge impacts in 2025. This means FSU will need to hit the portal for 1-2 proven receivers to carry the load and hope Hykeem Williams finally leaves up to his five-star ranking out of high school and Destyn Hill fully recovers from his injury that kept him out all of 2024.