FSU football defensive tackle Joshua Farmer will always have a special bond with head coach Mike Norvell. He was the first high school recruit to commit to Mike Norvell in Norvell's first full recruiting class in 2021.
A three-star recruit, Farmer is the epitome of player development, packing on over 50 pounds since high school to become one of the better defensive tackles in college football.
Farmer was All-ACC Second Team in 2023 and All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2024. He didn't have the year many expected in 2024, probably because the supporting cast around him didn't live up to expectations either.
However, he's making a name for himself at the 2025 Senior Bowl and earned an invite to the 2025 NFL Combine. Here's some footage and commentary from his performances at Senior Bowl practices and workouts:
Florida State's IDL Joshua Farmer kept popping off during the second day of practice in Mobile pic.twitter.com/oib6m5JKLn
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) January 30, 2025
Would’ve been a sack for @FSUFootball DL Joshua Farmer, who’s spin move gets to the QB. #GoNoles #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/mcfozpcJ1P
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) January 29, 2025
#FSU dt Joshua farmer showing his stuff at the senior bowl today. This guy brings good raw power and speed to the table and should be climbing up draft boards. #thedraftstartsinmobile #nfl #dabears pic.twitter.com/ulafsTdrbJ
— The Bear Review (@The_Bear_Review) January 29, 2025
Joshua Farmer - DT from Flordia State was causing some issues for opposing offensive linemen today at the #SeniorBowl #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/urxQrBWO2L
— B.J. Monacelli (@bjmonacelli) January 28, 2025
Here's another rep from FSU DT Joshua Farmer, this time against Purdue OL Marcus Mbow #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/T7skZ6WbxZ
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 29, 2025
Farmer has elite size and length, and uses it to his advantage to keep opposing offensive linemen at bay while using an assortment of techniques to rush the passer or shed blocks.
I'm not sure Farmer will generate the buzz his fellow teammate Braden Fiske generated last year between his work at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. However, Farmer can continue to improve his draft stock. His time at the Senior Bowl has been positive and he has time to continue developing for the NFL Combine.
Farmer is a different type of player than Fiske and won't run a 4.78 time in the 40-yard dash. He doesn't have the first-step quickness of Fiske, but he likely possesses more overall power and holds up better against double-teams.
He's probably closer to Fabien Lovett, another former FSU defensive tackle in recent years. Lovett was a projected fifth-rounder, but went undrafted and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lovett dealt with several injuries in his time at FSU which may have hurt his stock, and he didn't participate in the NFL Combine. It'll be interesting to see how Farmer performs in a few months. All he needs is for one team to fall in love.