Florida State football did not have the 2025 season that it wanted, as it limped to the finish line with a 5-7 record. The Seminoles have accumulated seven victories over the past two years, which will not get it done for a program that wants to compete for conference and national championships.
The transfer portal window will be starting on January 2nd, where the Seminoles will be focused on adding new players to the roster. The fan base's attention will be centered around the pickups, so the current players go unnoticed.
As a result, I want to highlight players on the current roster that will have a bounce back 2026 season.
CB QUINDARRIUS JONES
Florida State has seen multiple starters in the defensive backfield leave the program via the transfer portal, such as Ja'Bril Rawls, Ashlynd Barker, and Cai Bates. The Seminoles dismissed position coach Patrick Surtain Sr., which was a frustrating decision by many on the roster and fan base. However, the Seminoles still have defensive back Quindarrius Jones. He was meant to be a bigger factor in the 2025 season, but suffered a season-ending injury. This has to be a bounce-back 2026 year for Jones.
LB CALEB LAVALLEE
Florida State secured former North Carolina linebacker transfer Caleb LaVallee last offseason. The youngster had a tremendous performance in the Tar Heels' bowl game against UConn where he was all over the field. However, he has struggled to get on the field after he suffered a lower body injury in the preseason. With Florida State needing linebackers to step up, they need to get LaVallee healthy.
DT KEVIN WYNN
One of the Seminoles' best signings in the 2025 recruiting class was former four-star defensive tackle Kevin Wynn. The Georgia native only appeared in four games last season, and was thought to be a contributor to play early alongside veteran Darrell Jackson Jr. However, Wynn suffered an injury in the middle of the season, and the coaching staff thought that it would be better long-term if he stayed under the four-game redshirt rule.
TE AMAREE WILLIAMS
The do-it-all Amaree Williams was focused this season more at the defensive end position by the coaching staff. However, Williams played his true freshman year at the tight end spot to get him on the field. There were flashes of success, but the Seminoles felt that he would be better suited on the defensive line. With Randy Pittman Jr. and Landen Thomas announcing their intentions to enter the portal, it could be a good move to put Williams there at tight end full-time.
RB OUSMANE KROMAH
The running game was better for the Seminoles in 2025, compared to the disaster that was the 2024 campaign. That was to be expected when Florida State hired offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn who revolved the offense around running the football. However, many of the fan probably wished that true freshman Ousmane Kromah was used more often after plucking him away from the home-state Georgia Bulldogs. This has to be his year to shine, right?