Florida State football didn't have the 2025 season that it wanted, as it limped to the finish line with a 5-7 record. The excitement was felt around the country for the Seminoles after they defeated Alabama in the season opener.
However, the program fell flat on its face to close out the year. It is still a night-and-day difference from the 2-10 campaign in 2024, but the portal window will open on January 2nd and teams will be looking to add to their respective rosters.
With that said, the Seminoles have faced some attrition to their team, such as losing talented defensive back Edwin Joseph. The sky isn't falling, though, but Florida State has to ensure that it keeps its talent in Tallahassee. This isn't even mentioning the fact that the Seminoles have had new coaches to the staff that some players might not have any relationship with.
Here are the top five players on the roster that fans don't want to see transfer away from Florida State.
1. QB KEVIN SPERRY
Quarterbacks are delicate creatures in collegiate sports. Teams want to keep them happy because they can be impactful when it comes to wins and losses. The Seminoles are expecting not to have Thomas Castellanos next season (pending a waiver), so they have to make a decision of bringing in a transfer or riding with the redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry. If Florida State brings in a veteran, this could make the former four-star prospect to look at other options.
2. RB OUSMANE KROMAH
The running back room for the Seminoles in 2025 was like playing "musical chairs". It didn't seem like anyone could find a rhythm in the offense. There was an expectation that former four-star prospect Ousmane Kromah would have emerged, but he didn't get as many opportunities as fans thought. However, with David Johnson out and Kam Martin in as the new position coach, Florida State has to keep its prized back in Tallahassee.
3. WR LAWAYNE MCCOY
Florida State football could likely be losing do-it-all wide receiver Duce Robinson to the NFL Draft after he accumulated over 1,000 receiving yards this past season. As a result, the Seminoles' pass catchers need to replace the production. One candidate that emerged as the year went along was Miami native Lawayne McCoy. The playmaker can line up in the slot and on the outside.
4. DL DESIR TWINS
Yes, I understand that defensive linemen Mandrell and Darryll Desir are two different people. However, both of them do everything together and are twin brothers. Mandrell is the more successful one out of the bunch, as he recorded 6.5 sacks at the defensive tackle spot (according to ESPN Stats and Information), but the Seminoles need to apply pressure to opposing offenses. They are the right duo to accomplish that feat.
5. CB JA'BRIL RAWLS
Everyone seemed shocked that defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. was dismissed at Florida State. The Seminoles did hire UCF's Brandon Harris to work in the secondary with Evan Cooper. The news of Surtain Sr. was difficult to fathom for some of the players on the roster. Defensive back Ja'Bril Rawls was considered one of the best in the position group (when healthy). Defensive coordinator Tony White even called Rawls "an NFL prospect". The Seminoles need to keep him in Tallahassee.