FSU football: 5 biggest Winter transfer portal needs for the Noles
By Kelvin Hunt
Defensive Tackle
As mentioned, FSU will lose its two starting defensive tackles to the NFL Draft. The good news about moving to the 3-3-5 scheme is not needing quite as many defensive tackles.
FSU has some talented young guys at the position like Daniel Lyons and Kelvin Sampson.
Colorado State transfer Grady Little had some production in 2024. Freshman D'Nas White and Jamorie Flagg didn't appear in four games and won't be ready to contribute in 2025.
White isn't a difference-maker and I'm not sure Lyons would be in 2025. Sampson has good potential but would probably be a year away. Freshman Kevin Jennings fits the mold to be the guy, but you can't expect that from a freshman.
FSU likely needs 1-2 defensive tackles from the portal who would be plug-and-play guys in 2025 to anchor the defensive front. This is where the misses by Odell Haggins in defensive tackle recruiting over the past few years have come home to roost.