The Seminoles will kick off the 2025 college football season at home, facing the New Mexico State Aggies in a matchup that has oddsmakers pegging Florida State as the overwhelming favorite to start the year 1‑0.
Aggies' Roster Overhaul Brings Experience
New Mexico State entered the offseason with a clear plan: replace departed starters with players who have proven FBS experience. The team’s preseason watch list includes five standouts, a mix of offensive skill, defensive grit, and special‑teams speed, underscoring the belief that the Aggies can punch above their recent weight.
Among the newcomers, wide receiver TK King brings a track record of big‑play returns, having averaged 19.5 yards per kickoff and 8.6 yards per punt last season while also catching 41 passes for 588 yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Sone Aupiu, a 42‑game veteran, adds 170 career tackles and 16 tackles for loss, though his tackle efficiency remains a point of focus. At quarterback, Trey Hedden arrives from Furman, where he started 20 games as a freshman and sophomore, completing 65.6% of his passes for 4,734 yards, 30 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
The defensive line will be anchored by Gabe Peterson, a four‑year starter who has logged 108 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, including a career‑best 55‑tackle, 3.5‑sack season in 2023. Joining him is Henry Davis III, a senior entering his third year as a starter, expected to provide leadership and a stronger pass rush against the Seminoles' front.
Florida State’s defense will need to contain a unit that blends veteran presence with fresh talent. Stopping Peterson and Davis III on the edge, while limiting King’s explosive return potential, could be the difference between a comfortable win and a surprisingly close contest.