Florida State football has had nearly 30 players announce intentions to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2nd. I’ve been writing that they needed to take a transfer quarterback for QB1 to allow redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry and incoming freshman Jaden O’Neal the chance to develop.
However, FSU could take two transfer quarterbacks, with the second coming from the JUCO ranks. My initial gut reaction was that it was going to be a waste of time and a roster spot. I’m still learning towards that sentiment, but when’s the last time a JUCO QB product was productive in college football? Heck, FSU hasn’t had much luck with JUCO products at any position. The last was Ashlynd Barker at the safety position, and he announced he’s entering the transfer portal on Sunday.
He was mostly a reserve/rotational player for two years before starting nine games in 2025. FSU added a similar player in Jaylen King from the transfer portal, and he’s opted to re-enter the portal after appearing in one game last year. It was clear he wasn’t going to be the starter, and that would be the case if they take a JUCO QB here. The only positives would be that he’d provide more depth at practice for scout teams and could compete with Kevin Sperry or the QB2 role. That competition would force Sperry not to be complacent, knowing he’d likely be the guy in 2027.
However, that’s if Sperry’s willing to compete. We saw Luke Kromehoek bolt to the transfer portal because he didn’t want to do that after the 2024 season, and we saw what that did for his career. Hopefully, the staff points out that situation with Sperry, and he doesn’t make the same mistake if they add a second transfer QB.