FSU football has been in a transition state over the past few months. The firing and acquiring of new coaches and over 30+ players exiting the program was needed as Mike Norvell trimmed the fat from the roster.
FSU added 16 transfer players in the Winter transfer portal window. It's where they did most of the heavy lifting in acquiring players they expect to be major contributors. That's why I explained to temper expectations in the Spring transfer portal window when some FSU fans grew impatient when the coaches were not chasing every player that entered the portal.
The coaching staff had a plan, as they knew what to expect attrition-wise from the roster. Did they get all of their main targets? No, but they killed two birds with one stone with their acquisitions:
- Jeremiah Wilson (cornerback): Wilson meets an immediate need at cornerback and mentioned he would likely play the field cornerback spot. He has one year of eligibility left and should make an immediate impact in a secondary full of young and inexperienced players. His experience in Tony White's defense is a plus.
- Jaylen King (quarterback): Many fans online criticized this move, thinking he was brought in to play quarterback this year as some recruiting sites like 247 tried to imply it was a big deal. He simply replaces former walk-on Trever Jackson but has played for two years and brings more experience than Jackson. He'll run the scout team and redshirt this year.
- Ja'Elyne Matthews (offensive line): Matthews is a play toward the future, as FSU offensive line coach Herb Hand mentioned they were top-heavy with upperclassmen. Matthews has four years of eligibility remaining, and his addition is like adding a high school recruit to the 2025 class.
- Josh Raymond (offensive line): Another offensive lineman with multiple years of eligibility remaining, Raymond has a relationship with Gunnar Hansen, who joined the program in the spring. He's another play towards the future.
- Jarvis Boatwright Jr. (safety): FSU wanted an experienced safety with production at this spot but had to settle for a player they were familiar with through the high school recruiting process. Boatwright has four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting at USC last year. He's physically ready to play and would be a capable body in a pinch this year, but needs to gain experience in Tony White's defense.
- Gavin Sawchuk (running back): FSU will likely run the ball 55-58 percent of the time and doesn't return too much experience or depth. Freshman sensation Ousmane Kromah will arrive in a few weeks, but the addition of Sawchuk provides an experienced back with production when healthy. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos will count towards the running game, but adding a guy like Sawchuk is a smart move.
- Gavin Blackwell (wide receiver): FSU added the two receivers they expect to be the main contributors in the Winter Transfer Portal with Duce Robinson and Squirrel White. FSU lost Jordan Scott, Jalen Brown, and Hykeem Williams to the portal. Although limited because of injuries, Blackwell provides more career production than all of them. Blackwell wasn't the first option in the portal but had a higher ranking than the other options coming out of high school. He'll be an adequate depth piece if needed, which is all they needed.
FSU met its most pressing need in the secondary with Wilson. They got someone to replace a walk-on quarterback and added two pieces to continue building toward the future on the offensive line.
Those two additions get me excited because it shows that Herb Hand understands he has to rebuild the mess that Alex Atkins left. They give FSU about eight players in 2026 who'll be redshirt juniors or younger on the offensive line. If FSU fixes that unit, it allows quarterbacks and receivers to actually develop for a change.
They added a talented running back who could become a contributor if he remains healthy, and he has two years of eligibility remaining. They added another talented player in the secondary with multiple years of eligibility remaining, and the receiver will serve a purpose for one year before allowing the young guys to take over in 2026.
They got guys who could play roles in 2025, while adding talent and depth for the future.