Florida State University entered the 2025 offseason with a clear directive: replenish a roster that lost its starting lineup across several positions. The program attracted more than 55 new faces, a mix of transfers and returning players, to plug the gaps left by graduation and early departures.
Offensive Line Overhaul
At the heart of the battle are redshirt senior left tackle Xavier Chaplin and senior Bradyn Welch‑Joiner, both viewed as front‑runners for starting spots. Their experience is complemented by the arrival of Nate Pabst, a redshirt senior transfer from Bowling Green State who brings 38 career starts and the ability to play both guard and tackle. Another key name is Chimdia Nwaiwu, whose 2025 season earned a conference‑best Pro Football Focus blocking grade of 82.5 in the FCS Southland Conference.
The interior of the line also sees competition from senior guard Andre Otto and junior tackle Jonathan Daniels, a four‑star recruit from Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla. Though Daniels saw limited snaps as a true freshman at Troy, coaches note his steady improvement and expect him to earn a starting role with additional development.
Secondary in Flux
The defensive backfield is equally contested, with five athletes vying for cornerback, safety and rover spots. Senior cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls secured one starting position after a breakout 2025 campaign, while senior Quindarrius Jones earned the other. Redshirt sophomore Nehemiah Chandler is being watched as a depth option, and the safety trio of K.J. Kirkland, redshirt sophomore CJ Richard Jr., and sophomore Ma’Khi Jones are locked in a three‑way race.
Kirkland, who has appeared in 24 games over the past two seasons with 13 starts, is praised for his leadership, while Richard earned Freshman All‑American honors at Illinois State and Jones contributed 35 tackles and a sack for Duke in 2025. Senior Ashlynd Barker, shifted to the rover role, has shown marked improvement and has been highlighted by Head Coach Mike Norvell as a natural fit for the position.
Offensive line coach Herb Hand summed up the atmosphere, saying the staff is excited about the depth and the competition, noting that ‘we’ve got a lot of guys that are in the mix and battling to be starters.’
The Seminoles open the 2026 season on August 29 against New Mexico State, a game that will provide the first real test of the revamped depth chart.