FSU revamped its roster. A look at its strengths and weaknesses by position
The Florida State Seminoles overhauled their roster in the wake of their worst season since 1974.
A double-digit amount of transfers are expected to take up starting roles heading into this season with several others potentially relied upon for depth.
On offense especially, the Seminoles worked the transfer portal extensively to turn around a unit which averaged only 15.4 points per game and ranked 131st nationally in scoring offense.
How much can the Seminoles improve after last year’s 2-10 debacle?
Here’s a position-by-position look at Florida State:
Quarterback: B+
While it’s not an excellent grade, senior Tommy Castellanos taking over the reins at quarterback after transferring from Boston College instantly gives the Seminoles an upgrade at a position that was dismal last season. The DJ Uiagalelei move backfired badly and FSU quarterbacks as a whole threw more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (11) in 2024.
Castellanos is a dual threat and should inject some life into a dormant offense especially after an entire offseason working with new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. While Castellanos has big shoes to fill, if he’s to perform at the level of former FSU starter Jordan Travis, he could at least give the Noles some playmaking ability at the position they haven’t seen in two years since Travis. Uiagalelei’s injury made room for backup Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek to earn significant playing time, but neither stood out. Glenn remains the backup after Kromenhoek transferred, and FSU is developing true freshman Kevin Sperry perhaps for a future starting role.
Running backs: C-
After Trey Benson departed to the NFL, the Seminoles’ backfield was practically nonexistent a year ago, finishing last in the ACC in nearly every rushing category. It’s one of the few positions on the roster, however, with multiple returning contributors. Roydell Williams and Kam Davis (52 carries for 173 yards) are both back, but don’t be surprised if Malzahn runs this somewhat by committee early in the season until a potential featured back emerges.
FSU brought in Oklahoma transfer Gavin Sawchuk to add depth, but he could surge into a starting role if he continues to impress. He and true freshman Ousmane Kromah could see a good amount of carries as the Seminoles look for playmakers to balance their offense.
Wide receivers: B
This is where the Seminoles might have injected the most talent on its offense. A year after a major dropoff that followed the departure of NFL talents such as Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, FSU struggled without a true go-to target for its quarterbacks. USC transfer Duce Robinson (23 catches, 396 yards, 5 TDs last season) will try to become that WR1 the Seminoles desperately need. But they will also need North Carolina transfer Gavin Blackwell to have a big debut season and for senior Tennessee transfer Squirrel White to also become a reliable option in the slot. Redshirt freshman Elijah Moore is a player to watch as he gains more experience and should see plenty of targets this season.
Tight ends: C
While sophomore Landen Thomas is the only returning major contributor in this group, look for UCF transfer Randy Pittman Jr. to earn an expanded role at tight end or H-back due to his experience in Malzahn’s offense. The Seminoles need not just pass catchers, but reliable blockers in a scheme which will try to run the ball fairly often even with Castellanos on designed quarterback keepers. Markeston Douglas returned to FSU after transferring to Arizona State and should add depth and experience as well.
Offensive line: A-
Four of the five projected starters are transfers entering their first season and all seem particularly suited to Malzahn’s run-heavy offensive scheme, which shows how key this group will be to FSU’s hopes of a turnaround season. The Seminoles allowed 49 sacks last season, which was the second most in the ACC. Left tackle Gunnar Hansen (Vanderbilt transfer) appears to be fine after a shoulder injury while left guard Adrian Medley (UCF transfer), center Luke Petitbon (Wake Forest transfer) and right tackle Micah Pettus (Ole Miss transfer) all have solid run blocking backgrounds. Right guard Richie Leonard is the only major returner and valued as one of the team leaders.
Defensive line: C
Another unit that saw a significant drop following the departure of stars the prior season like Jared Verse and Braden Fiske to the NFL. The interior has experience with redshirt senior Darrell Jackson Jr. (3.5 sacks last season) and redshirt sophomore KJ Sampson returning. The key whether defensive coordinator Tony White goes with a three-man or four-man front will be on the edges where transfers Deante McCray (Western Kentucky) and hybrid Jack linebacker James Williams will be needed to step up and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Tackle Kevin Wynn is out with an injury, but it’s unclear if his absence will extend into the season.
Linebackers: C
Another revamped unit with nowhere to go but up and a mostly-brand new cast of starters hopes to improve mainly against the run. FSU had the ACC’s worst rushing defense, yielding 184.7 yards per game on the ground. In addition to Williams, 6-6, 276-pound Jayson Jenkins could be used in a versatile role. But the starters are expected to be Juice Cryer, Elijah Herring (Tennessee transfer) and returning redshirt sophomore Omar Graham, who impressed in the spring.
Defensive backs: B-
This unit is home to FSU’s longest-tenured player in fifth-year Seminole Shyheim Brown, who is expected to lead the group as the boundary safety. The group has the largest presence of South Florida talent as rover safety Earl Little Jr. (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas alum) enters his second season on the team as well as strong safety Conrad Hussey (Aquinas alum) and nickel back Edwin Joseph (Hollywood Chaminade alum). Syracuse transfer Jeremiah Wilson and returning contributor Ja’Bril Rawls will be the primary corners on a defense that recorded only four interceptions last season, which tied for the fourth-lowest among 134 FBS teams.
Special teams: C+
Longtime kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and punter Alex Mastromanno were two of the few bright spots for the Seminoles in the midst of last year’s dismal season. But they’re both gone. FSU likely will turn the kicking game over to redshirt freshman Jake Weinberg, who was ranked No. 2 nationally by Kohl’s Kicking coming out of high school at Delray American Heritage. He appeared in last year’s win over Charleston Southern and made a 23-yard field goal, an extra point and had two touchbacks. Redshirt junior Mac Chiumento and five-star punter Ethan Post are candidates for the punting duties.
Samuel Singleton, a redshirt sophomore, has flashed some potential on kickoff returns including a 95-yarder for a touchdown against Duke last season. Miami Central alum Lawayne McCoy will likely handle punt return duties again, although Robinson could also return punts.
This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
