FSU football: 5 biggest positional needs in 2025 recruiting cycle
By Kelvin Hunt
Linebacker
FSU football lost its top two linebackers, with Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune heading to the 2024 NFL Draft. DJ Lundy returns for is final season in the garnet and gold after entering the transfer portal and withdrawing to come back after committing to Colorado. FSU has some young guys who got some experience in 2023. Omar Graham Jr returns in 2024 and a redshirt sophomore, and Blake Nichelson and Justin Cryer enter their sophomore year. FSU has young guys like redshirt freshman DeMarco Ward and freshmen Timir Hickman-Collins and Jayden Parrish. FSU coaches knew the Noles lacked production and experience, so they signed Alabama's Shawn Murphy from the transfer portal.
They will likely add one more linebacker after the spring. The good news? FSU already has a blue-chip linebacker committed for 2025 in Ethan Pritchard. FSU has had several blue-chip guys on campus this spring and will likely take at least one more linebacker, with Lundy exiting the program after this season. FSU had a 2023 linebacker signee to enter the portal after the season. Linebacker is a position they need to continue to raise the level of talent from the high school ranks.