The 2026 campaign marks a pivotal moment for the Florida State Seminoles, who finished the previous season at 5‑7 after a string of inconsistent results. With only seven starters retained, the team is confronting a comprehensive rebuild that spans both sides of the ball.
A Shifting Roster
Coach Mike Norvell has announced that the Seminoles will rely heavily on transfers to fill critical gaps, especially at quarterback and running back. This strategy follows a three‑year pattern of using transfer signal-callers, the most recent being the newly arrived quarterback who will attempt to bring stability to the offense.
Defensively, the line was described as serviceable but not dominant in 2025, and the secondary suffered notable attrition. Recruiting efforts have targeted high school prospects and portal additions to inject fresh talent into both units.
Linebackers and New Faces
The linebacker corps will see a complete overhaul, with three departing players replaced by Ernie Sims, Chris Jones and Mikai Gbayor. Norvell believes the new group, combined with a second year in the 3‑3‑5 scheme, will address the athleticism concerns that opponents exploited in the previous season.
Offensively, the backfield will be anchored by transfer Tre Wisner and sophomore Ousmane Kromah, forming a fresh 1‑2 punch at running back. The position also benefits from the recent hiring of Kam Martin as running backs coach, who replaces David Johnson, who departed for Arkansas.
Quarterback Continuity
Florida State’s reliance on transfer quarterbacks continues, marking the third consecutive year of such a move. The last homegrown starter, James Blackman, last appeared in 2020, underscoring the program’s current dependence on external experience to steady the offense.
If the blend of new talent and scheme adjustments clicks, the Seminoles could see a marked improvement on both sides of the ball. The coming weeks will reveal whether the revamped defense can finally generate the pass rush that eluded them last season, and whether the new backfield duo can provide the balance needed to support the quarterback’s development.