FSU FOOTBALL'S NEW ROSTER
Florida State football added forty-four transfers and recruits to its roster this offseason. Plus, it also added six new assistant coaches. This is a huge overhaul for a program that wants to get back on the right track after the 2-10 record in 2024.
Head football coach Mike Norvell is determined that last year was an outlier because it did not meet the expectation for Florida State, which is used to competing for conference and national championships.
All the Seminoles can do now is turn the page and forget that last season even happened.
Transfer players like Thomas Castellanos, Gavin Sawchuk, Duce Robinson, Squirrel White, James Williams, Elijah Herring, Jeremiah Wilson, and others will be talked about amongst the fan base, but it is up to the returning production from last year to get better as well if Florida State wants to be competitive.
TIME TO SHINE FOR CRYER
There are a couple of returning players that I am excited for on the roster, such as defensive back Earl Little Jr. and offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV, who will both be featured at ACC Kickoff on Wednesday.
However, someone that I am intrigued to see is junior linebacker Justin Cryer, who technically transferred from Northwestern before his freshman year. He recorded 32 tackles (two for loss), one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Unfortunately, Cryer suffered a season-ending injury versus North Carolina this past season. While the linebacker will most certainly make a full recovery, it will be something to monitor if the Texas native will make a difference for the Seminoles in 2024.
The coaching staff added transfers Elijah Herring, Stefon Thompson, and Caleb LaVallee at the linebacker position this offseason. I figure that Herring and Thompson will get significant playing time in defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 scheme.
My wonder is how pieces like Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson, and Justin Cryer fit in the equation for 2025. Position coach John Papuchis will have his work cut out for him as he sorts through the loaded group of linebackers.