Who could be the next Seminole football player to be a first-round pick?

DE PATRICK PAYTON

Florida State has turned into the defensive end factor when it comes to turn the position into high NFL draft picks. As alluded to previously, defensive ends coach John Papuchis has made it easy to churn out players at his position to the league.

With Papuchis' recent success, this should be a great recruiting tool for the Seminoles to pick up talented recruits at the position. Florida State has had difficulty at times where they have struck out on defensive ends in recruiting.

This could be just what the Seminoles need to change the narrative of what has transpired. One productive recruit at the defensive end position that has panned out was Patrick Payton. The Miami native has progressively gotten better every season at Florida State.

We talk about the pass breakups by cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. However, Payton has also recorded 10 pass breakups. The defensive end underwent a weight change and he is now 254 pounds. When the former four-star prospect arrived in Tallahassee, he was under 200 pounds.

This could be a special 2024 campaign for Payton.