Florida State football has decisions to make in a timely manner, as the transfer portal window opens on January 2nd. The Seminoles made a couple of front office hires, with General Manager John Garrett and Executive Director of Players Acquisitions Taylor Edwards.
However, that is only the start for a Florida State squad that is looking to get better in a hurry. The Seminoles have a combined 7-17 record over the past two seasons, and the fan base is growing restless.
Head football coach Mike Norvell has been doubted by the fan base with his recent shortcomings, but as a wise man once said, "Winning cures everything!" With that said, what do the Seminoles have to do during the transfer portal window to ensure that Florida State is heading in the right direction?
1. SECURE A TOP-TIER QUARTERBACK
I realize that the Seminoles were/are in the mix for transfer quarterbacks Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) and Anthony Colandrea (UNLV). However, we have seen the program whiff on its last two signal-callers from the portal in DJ Uiagalelei and Thomas Castellanos. I realize that the coaching staff has faith in redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Sperry, but there are only two scholarship signal-callers on the roster. Go pay up for an elite quarterback option!
2. BRING BACK WIDE RECEIVER DUCE ROBINSON
I am very surprised that it has been crickets from wide receiver Duce Robinson whether he returns to Florida State in 2026. It looks to be a no-brainer decision to go to the NFL, but he is a legacy player that genuinely loves being in the Garnet and Gold. If Florida State wants to entice an elite quarterback in the portal, it would help if Robinson is in the offense catching passes.
3. BRING IN OFFENSIVE LINEMEN TRANSFERS
Assistant coach Herb Hand had done an exceptional job with the limited time that he has had in Tallahassee with bringing in experienced transfers. However, Coach Hand might have to do it again this offseason, but youngsters Sandman Thompson, Lucas Simmons, Jonathan Daniels, and Andre Otto could be relied on for depth in 2026. The offensive line still needs production.
4. GET AFTER THE QUARTERBACK IS KEY
Florida State grabbed nine defensive linemen in the 2026 recruiting class, which I was ecstatic about. However, the transfer haul last offseason was horrendous, where three of the four defensive linemen did not pan out in Tallahassee. These pick-ups have to better in terms of getting after the quarterback (can't get much worse).
5. LINEBACKER QUALITY HAS TO BE BETTER
I will admit that I was wrong last offseason. I thought the linebacker position group was going to be exceptional with adding someone like transfer Elijah Herring. However, that opinion went sideways after Herring had to deal with covering a wheel route from a running back (ouch). Fast forwarding to this offseason, the linebackers have to do a better job in coming in run support, or they will have more performances like Florida's Jadan Baugh did when he had 266 rushing yards.