The Florida State Seminoles opened the season with a 27-24 defeat at the hands of SMU, slipping to a 1-1 record overall and a 0-1 mark in ACC play, a result that left fans disappointed.
While the outcome was less than ideal, Pro Football Focus awarded the Seminoles' secondary and offensive line commendable grades, with five players earning top marks for their contributions on both sides of the ball.
Key Takeaways
Ashlynd Barker headlined the group, posting an 82.7 overall grade that underscored his dominance in the secondary, while Quindarrius Jones combined a 75.0 rating with a 96.9 run-defense score and a forced fumble, showcasing versatility beyond pure coverage.
Nehemiah Chandler’s 74.0 grade featured an end‑zone interception of Kevin Jennings, and Xavier Chaplin’s 72.6 grade reflected consistent pass‑blocking and run‑blocking across all 69 offensive snaps, illustrating the line’s reliability.
Ousmane Kromah added a 71.9 grade, rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, illustrating the offense’s ability to generate production despite the loss, while the defensive lapses allowed SMU’s passing attack to advance, tempering the individual accolades but highlighting a foundation for growth as the ACC schedule unfolds.