Florida State football has been through a difficult offseason so far, where the Seminoles are seeing multiple players exiting the program. This comes with the territory of winning seven games in two years.
The fan base thought that there would be many coaches that could see their way out of the door, including someone like head football coach Mike Norvell. Instead, the Seminoles dismissed defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr., who was someone that the fan base and even the players on the team thought highly of.
It could have been a mutual part of ways, but the way that Surtain Sr. expressed his emotions on social media seems to think that the firing was from the Seminoles' side.
From all accounts, the players didn't seem to take the news of Surtain Sr's firing well because there have been defensive backs who have left the program via the transfer portal already such as Ja'Bril Rawls, Cai Bates, Christian White (preferred walk-on), and Edwin Joseph.
The damage hasn't stopped there, as starting safety Ashlynd Barker has announced that he will be hitting the transfer portal, too.
BREAKING: Florida State safety Ashlynd Barker plans to enter the @TransferPortal, his agent tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 28, 2025
He’s totaled 78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, & 2 PD in his time with the Seminoles
Barker started 9 games this season & has appeared in 36https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/a1fX8EgSmF
When it rains, it pours for the Seminoles this offseason. It looks like Florida State football cannot catch a break. Former Florida State and national championship-winning defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample summarizes the feelings of the Seminoles perfectly with his tweet:
Ashlynd barker plans to enter the portal. He had 48 Total tackles with 3.5 sacks. You can’t make this up. SMH. pic.twitter.com/tQUBf1EvcY
— Nole’n with Nile (@nolenwithnile) December 28, 2025
His tweet points to the frustrations of the offseason. Florida State will be potentially losing the do-it-all Earl Little Jr. to the NFL Draft, veteran Shyheim Brown to graduation, as well as Ashlynd Barker and Ja'Bril Rawls to the portal.
Defensive backs coaches Evan Cooper and Blue Adams will have their work cut out for them, as a main priority will be securing members of the secondary to lock down opposing pass catchers. There was a hope that maybe the Seminoles would not have to fork up as many resources in the transfer portal for defensive backs, but that has changed this offseason.
Defensive coordinator Tony White will have to field talent on defense to ensure that his unit in Year 2 of his multiple 3-3-5 scheme will perform well next season against the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Louisville, Pittsburgh, SMU, North Carolina State, Miami, Florida, etc.