The NCAA transfer portal will close this week, and Florida State football still has work to do to fill out its roster for the 2026 season.
With transfers coming in and some notable players leaving the program, the Seminoles have multiple positions of need to complete the roster for next season. While the window to enter the transfer portal closes on Friday, Jan. 16, players can still sign with universities after the window shuts as long as they’ve already entered the portal.
FSU has signed 14 transfers, with more expected, but the program has lost 41 players to the transfer portal, including standouts like wide receiver Lawayne McCoy, linebacker Justin Cryer and freshman twins Darryll and Mandrell Desir, among others.
The losses in the portal have hit some positions harder than others, particularly along the defensive line, and the Seminoles need to sign reinforcements, both for depth and roster limit purposes. With a roster cap of 105 players, FSU currently has around 85 players, and could take up to 15 players in the remaining days of the portal, or convince players who entered to return to Tallahassee.
With that being said, what areas does FSU need to target in the remaining days of the portal window? Let’s take a look.
Defensive line reinforcements are necessary for the Seminoles
Few, if any, positions have been hit harder this offseason than the Seminoles’ defensive line. Standout Darrell Jackson has declared for the NFL draft, and with the potential and likely departure of the Desir twins and Kevin Wynn, alongside players like Amaree Williams and James Williams, who have already committed elsewhere, FSU needs to bolster its defensive line room.
If the Seminoles can retain the Desir’s, which hasn’t been ruled out, that changes the outlook of the situation. Regardless, FSU still needs more bodies in the trenches.
FSU has added one player on the defensive line in the portal, signing Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy, and they signed nine players out of either high school or junior college. The Seminoles lost key production, with the pieces leaving the program accounting for 161 tackles and 12.5 sacks last season.
With untested depth and limited production from the current defensive linemen on the roster, landing a few pieces along the line with proven production is a must for the Seminoles.
Alongside the defensive line, depth at linebacker is another area of need. While the return of Omar Graham Jr., who previously entered the portal, is a boost, the loss of Elijah Heering and Justin Cryer, along with other rotational and backup pieces, leaves a few gaps in the linebacker room.
FSU has landed a commitment from JUCO linebacker Chris Thomas, though he is recovering from a knee injury, and has further visits planned with Southern Miss transfer Chris Jones, UNC transfer Mikai Gabar, Cornell transfer Keith Williams Jr. and UAB transfer Devin Hightower.
If the Seminoles can land at least one of them, it will add needed depth to the linebacker room.
Another quarterback, depth across the board is needed
Ashton Daniels is expected to be the Seminoles’ starting quarterback, but with Kevin Sperry and Michael Grant the only returners alongside incoming true freshman Jaden O’Neal, another quarterback addition in the transfer portal seems likely.
Where the program turns its attention is something to follow. Depth to compete with Sperry is expected. The Seminoles have looked at the JUCO and FCS ranks, setting up a visit with Texas Southern transfer K.J. Cooper, to address that.
He threw for 1,626 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. Cooper would add depth and an experienced backup should Daniels be unable to play.
Outside of quarterback, the Seminoles need depth across the board. The starting quality at receiver and running back is strong, but further additions along the offensive line would be a benefit.
FSU football transfer portal commitments
This area will be updated when information is available
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: As NCAA transfer portal window nears end, what does FSU football need?
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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