What a difference a year makes. FSU went from leading the ACC with All-Conference players in 2023 to only having two players make the All-ACC team in 2024. Both players were specialists, the placekicker and punter.
Some of that is a by-product of only winning two games because there are at least 1-2 more FSU players who should have made the list. Nevertheless, a new season is upon us. FSU has several new coaches and will have over 40 new players on the roster when they take the field against Alabama in the season opener.
The win/loss predictions for FSU in 2025 are all over the place. The guys in the desert have the odds at 7.5 wins, and I'm predicting at least eight wins. To do that, FSU needs more than two players on the All-ACC team.
I believe that's possible, and here are the prime candidates to do it:
- Luke Petitbon- The former Wake Forest center has been an All-ACC selection in the past and is one of four returning centers with the highest PFF grade.
- Darrell Jackson Jr.- Jackson was an Honorable Mention All-ACC player last year in his first year as a starter after missing all of 2023. He should thrive in Tony White's aggressive defense and become a difference-maker.
- Jeremiah Wilson- The Houston transfer was one of the best cornerbacks available in the transfer portal. He's played in Tony White's defense before and had excellent production in Houston's defense last year.
- Duce Robinson- The former five-star wide receiver comes to FSU from USC and will likely be the number one passing target for Gus Malzahn. He should have ample opportunities to put up productive numbers.
- Randy Pittman Jr.- The UCF transfer tight end has been heavily featured in Gus Malzahn's offense the past two seasons. He could become a primary target if teams shift their game plan to account for Duce Robinson in the passing game.
- Gavin Sawchuk- The Oklahoma transfer has had excellent production when healthy, and FSU will look to run the ball around 55 percent of the time. If he can stay healthy and lock down the starter's role, he could put up some nice numbers in Gus Malzahn's offense.
- Shyheim Brown- Brown enters his final year at FSU and made the All-ACC third team in 2023. He battled injuries much of last year but has been productive when healthy. If that's the case and he's engaged? He could have a good final year.
- Elijah Herring- Herring is an experienced linebacker who's had great production in the past. Linebackers will play a big part in Tony White's defense, and I expect Herring to play a big part in the 2025 defense.
There are others who very well could have productive seasons and find their way on one of the All-ACC teams. James Williams, Deamonte Diggs, Squirrel White, and Micah Pettus come to mind.
We'll see how it all shakes out, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of these names getting recognition at the end of the season.