FSU football concluded its spring camp after 13 practices, canceling the final two due to the shootings on the FSU campus. The coaches are having exit interviews, and eight players (so far) have exited the program via the transfer portal.
I wrote how FSU did most of its work in the Winter Transfer Portal and why they haven't been too active in the Spring window here. They have cut much of the dead weight from last year's team and will have eight players from the high school ranks joining the program in a few weeks.
How good this team will be has been difficult to gauge because many of the portal additions who enrolled this spring were limited for various reasons. However, those additions had much more proven experience overall compared to last year's group.
I project at least 12 of 16 additions will play starter reps for FSU this year if they remain healthy. Here's how I'd rank the units from best to worst going into the summer months:
Tight ends (Above Average): Randy Pittman Jr. brings two years of production in Gus Malzahn's offense, and Landon Thomas is a former five-star player who got tons of reps last year as a freshman. Once we throw in veteran Markeston Douglas returning and talented freshman Chase Loftin, that's arguably the best the tight end room has been in over a decade.
Defensive Line (Above Average): FSU returns a lot of experience with this group. They have an assortment of bodies at defensive tackle and defensive end. They should be among the top half of defensive lines in the ACC under Tony White.
Linebacker (Above Average): FSU finally has a good mixture of experience, talent, and depth with this unit. Elijah Herring, Blake Nichelson, Omar Graham Jr., Juice Cryer, and Stefon Thompson will likely get the bulk of the reps. However, some young players will likely get into some games to continue building that depth as the season progresses.
Quarterback (Potentially Average to Above Average): This position will go as the offensive line goes, but Tommy Castellanos's legs should provide some cushion for that unit, much like Jordan Travis did in his early days at FSU. Castellanos has experience in Malzahn's offense and has flashed big-time playmaking ability in his career. Brock Glenn has some experience and could be better behind an improved offensive line. The key to this unit's success will be limiting turnovers.
Offensive line (Average to potentially slightly above): If this position group stays relatively healthy, they have the potential to be above average. However, considering some of the portal additions missed much of spring camp, I'll place them in wait-and-see mode.
Wide Receiver (Average to potentially slightly above): If I could get a guarantee that Duce Robinson and Squirrel White would be healthy all year? I'd place this unit in the above-average category. However, both missed large portions of spring with injuries. FSU has some talented but unproven young players like Lawayne McCoy, Elijah Moore, Jayvon Boggs, and BJ Gibson, among others who could emerge.
Running Back (Average): Some local media pundits have been trashing this unit for no reason. There's probably not an NFL running back in this group(not counting Ousmane Kromah until he arrives). However, Mike Norvell has done more with less in years past with this group. The 2020 season is a prime example when he had three running backs averaging five yards or more per carry. I'm not as down on this group as most. If the offensive line is serviceable and Tommy Castellanos uses his legs, it'll help open things for this group.
Defensive Back (Average): There's a great deal of talent in this unit, but it's largely unproven. Shyheim Brown returns, but missed most of spring camp. Quindarrius Jones, Ja'Bril Rawls, Edwin Joseph, Conrad Hussey, KJ Kirkland, Earl Little Jr., and Ashlynd Barker need to take that next step in their junior year. Sophomores Charles Lester, Cai Bates, Jamari Howard, and freshman Shane Arnoux could be in the mix. FSU looks like they may bring in a proven guy from the transfer portal this spring. This group is talented enough to be well above average, especially if the front seven plays well.
Special Teams (No idea): FSU lost two All-Americans, Ryan Fitzgerald and Alex Mastromanno. That's a ton of experience and production to replace. Jake Weinberg got into one game last year as a freshman. Punter Max Chiumento has played in a few games here and there but is largely unproven. Both have huge legs, but we'll have to wait and see how they perform when the lights come on for real.