I’ve long stood on the sentiment that FSU was much better than a 7-17 record over the past two years from a talent perspective. FSU easily could have, and probably should have, won at least eight games with the talent it had on its roster in 2025.
However, intangibles like a lack of true leadership, turnovers, and the inability to execute haunted FSU in several key games.
FSU coaches knew they needed to retain some key players while adding talent at key positions from the transfer portal during the open window. At the same time, they needed to trim some of the dead weight off the roster from players who hadn’t and likely wouldn’t contribute. Overall, FSU coaches did that, while FSU added guys with experience and production. That should pay off if they can manage the intangibles better in 2026.
Here’s each guy they lost and where they transferred to:
- Jayden Parrish (Freshman)- Memphis (non-contributor)
- L A Jessie Harrold (Freshman)-UCF (non-contributor)
- Mario Nash Jr. (Freshman)-Mississippi State (non-contributor)
- Tyeland Coleman (Junior)-Arkansas State (non-contributor)
- Jamorie Flagg (Freshman)-FIU (non-contributor)
- Jaylin Lucas (Junior)-Tulane (contributor)
- Edwin Joseph (Sophomore)-Ole Miss (Starter, but addition by subtraction)
- Willy Suarez (RS Freshman)-Indiana State (Walk On)
- Camdon Frier (RS Freshman)- Still in portal (non-contributor)
- Cai Bates (RS Freshman)-Wisconsin (non-contributor)
- Kam Davis (Sophomore)-Liberty (non-contributor)
- Jaden Jones (Senior)-Missouri (played, but little production)
- Randy Pittman (Junior)-SMU (starter with production when healthy)
- Jayson Jenkins (Junior)-Mississippi State (played, but little production)
- Jaylen King (Junior)-Still in portal (Walk On)
- Elijah Moore (RS Freshman)-Syracuse (non-contributor)
- Brock Glenn (RS Sophomore)-Western Kentucky (non-contributor)
- James Williams (Junior)-Oklahoma State (played, but little production)
- Manasse Itete (RS Freshman)-Arkansas State (non-contributor)
- Gavin Sawchuk (RS Junior)-Still in portal (starter with production)
- Lucas Simmons (RS Sophomore)-Wisconsin (non-contributor)
- Tye Hylton (RS Freshman)-Still in portal (non-contributor)
- KJ Sampson (RS Sophomore)-Boston College (played, but little production)
- Mac Chiumento (RS Junior)-Texas (starter with production, but not irreplaceable)
- Luke Douglas (Freshman)-Appalachian State (Walk on)
- Amaree Williams (Sophomore)-Mississippi State (played, but little production)
- Justin Cryer (Junior)-Houston (starter with production)
- Brunno Reus (Freshman)-Missouri (non-contributor)
- Earl Little Jr. (RS Junior)-Ohio State (starter with production)
- Ja’Elyne Matthews (RS Freshman)-Mississippi State (non-contributor)
- Lawayne McCoy (Sophomore)-Louisville (played with production when healthy)
- Gavin Holman (Freshman)-Still in portal (Walk on)
- Shamar Arnoux (Freshman)-Auburn (played and started late in the season)
- Josh Raymond (Freshman)-Georgia Southern (non-contributor)
- Jake Weinberg (RS Freshman)-Miami (starter with production, but not irreplaceable)
As you can see, there’s not a lot of production and experience lost on this list. There are only 3-4 players I’d allow to return to the roster if they wanted, and the rest haven’t, and likely wouldn’t have contributed.
Did FSU get better in the portal? They did at certain positions, no question. Others, we’ll have to wait and see.