Is this the final season for two Florida State Seminole football players?

Florida State football is having to replace several contributors along the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The Seminoles finished the 2023 campaign with an undefeated regular season and a conference championship.

The program had ten players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a result, the Seminoles will have to find viable options to replace the production that they lost. Contributors such as Jordan Travis, Trey Benson, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Jaheim Bell, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Tatum Bethune, Jarrian Jones, and Renardo Green are no longer going to be suited up in the garnet and gold.

However, that does not mean that Florida State does not have talent on its roster. Two notable players include defensive end Patrick Payton and safety Shyheim Brown.

Payton recorded 44 tackles (14.5 for loss), seven sacks, and ten pass breakups during the 2023 season while Brown accumulated 53 tackles (two for loss), two sacks, one interception, and four pass breakups.

Both of them are homegrown talents that the coaching staff recruited out of high school. It is also worth mentioning that they are having to replace two quality players who went to the NFL at their position in Jared Verse and Akeem Dent, respectively.

Payton went to his Instagram account to share a picture of the two.

Both Payton and Brown are listed as redshirt juniors on the Seminoles' official roster. However, it is not unreasonable to suggest that they could depart Tallahassee after productive seasons.

The defense is not projected to take much of a step back considering that they added pieces such as Marvin Jones Jr., Sione Lolohea, Tomiwa Durojaiye, Grady Kelly, Shawn Murphy, Cam Riley, Davonte Brown, and Earl Little Jr.

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller could see his unit become a top-15 defense in the entire country. If this were to be true, would Payton and Brown become top-50 draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft?

For clarity, I believe that both defenders have an opportunity to be special players during the 2024 season. With great statistical campaigns, I imagine that it would be enough to declare for the draft. I would love for both individuals to get an opportunity to make life-changing money for themselves and their loved ones.