With the two-week transfer portal extravaganza behind them, the Florida State Seminoles inch closer toward filling out their 2026 roster. With nearly an entire roster overhaul between graduations and 30-plus
departures in the portal, how did FSU do with its transfer portal additions to date?
Quick note: JUCO additions quarterback Malachi Marshall and linebacker Chris Thomas are not included in these rankings, as they count toward the prep/JUCO numbers.
Quarterback
Additions
- Quarterback Ashton Daniels (Auburn), 1 year of eligibility left
- Quarterback Dean DeNobile (Lafayette College), 1 year of eligibility left
The Seminoles reached various stages of negotiations with three different quarterbacks before pivoting to Daniels. They thought they had a deal in place with Colton Joseph, their primary target, before Wisconsin swooped in and drove the price up further than FSU was willing to go. Next came Anthony Colandrea and while negotiations progressed decently well, FSU ultimately did not budge on its offer and Colandrea’s “agent” (who, by all accounts, made a complete fool out of himself) shut things down (and that may have been a blessing in disguise based on the behavior of his “agent”). Then came the most surprising of all, DJ Lagway, whose camp had initial conversations about a deal to come to Tallahassee. By that point, Daniels was also in town and FSU opted to go for the lowest-priced option after nothing serious came of Lagway.
FSU added Daniels due to his experience, familiarity and fit with Gus Malzahn’s system, and lower price tag. The second of those three reasons is now heavily in doubt with Malzahn announcing his retirement. We’ll see how closely the offense mirrors Malzahn’s tenets in the fall with Norvell calling plays, but Daniels is not a lock to open the season as the starting quarterback because FSU clearly chose not to spend heavily at the position. Daniels hasn’t exactly lit it up during his career and I’d expect Kevin Sperry to really push him in the spring and summer (JUCO addition Malachi Marshall sadly doesn’t enroll until the summer- if he could get a spring under his belt and put on some solid strength and weight, I think he could really factor into the starter conversation in the fall). DeNobile is a nice locker room presence and a solid leader for the scout team but if he ever takes meaningful starter reps for FSU, it means things have gotten even worse than we thought.
Grade: C
Running Back
Additions
- Running back Tre Wisner (Texas), 1 year of eligibility left
- Running back Gemari Sands (FAU), 2 years of eligibility left
I have to answer this one in two ways: as standalone additions and in the overall context of skill additions. I really like the Wisner add and I think Sands could be a sneaky nice complementary back. Wisner replaces Gavin Sawchuck as a feature back who can take a large percentage of carries and Wisner offers more versatility than Sawchuk did. Sands gives you a reliable threat in the backfield passing game and can also hold his own in run blocking, so I’d consider him an upgrade over Kam Davis. Comparing the two rooms from 2025 and 2026, I think FSU clearly upgraded its running back stable.
But here’s the thing: FSU chose to take two running backs, one of whom likely commanded a significant NIL package, when running back wasn’t even in the top half of positional needs and running ability was prioritized among QB targets. Resource allocation is a fair criticism here. Wisner helps you immediately and Sands has two years of eligibility remaining, but would those resources have been better utilized in paying more for a QB or adding a player at a different skill position? Personally, I would have preferred to see FSU pay a solid rotational running back to complement Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton and allocate those resources elsewhere. That said, FSU couldn’t have done any better at RB than Wisner and it was a solid portal victory.
Grade: B+
Wide Receiver
Additions
N/A
FSU deserves a lot of credit for making Duce Robinson an offer he couldn’t turn down, and he’ll again be the feature of the offense in 2026. Jayvan Boggs returns after being unable to find a new home willing to pay his buyout, and he will continue his development and push for ascension into FSU’s top spot after Robinson leaves. Micahi Danzy is a blossoming star. FSU has a lot to look forward to with returning wide receivers.
That said, FSU was unable to land a transfer wideout to help in the return game, which I view as a failure. Of all the receivers they identified and brought in for visits, only one (Xavier Townsend) was worthy of a scholarship in my opinion. I wanted to see the Seminoles mine the D2 landscape and find a hidden gem, but that didn’t happen. If injuries again happen within this unit, FSU is going to regret not bringing in a transfer.
Grade: F
Tight End
Additions
- Tight end Desirrio Riles (East Carolina), 1 year of eligibility left
I actually like the Riles add, lowkey. I think he can play some of the same roles Randy Pittman did as far as the passing game goes, and I think he’s actually a bit more athletic than Pittman is, but the big test will be how he’s able to fit in as a blocker. He’s far less proven as a utility player but perhaps he just needs the opportunity.
The problem here is that FSU failed to land a blocking specialist at tight end, which was something we thought was a major need going into the portal period. Now you have a largely unproven tight end room heading into 2026, particularly in blocking roles.
Grade: D+
Offensive Line
Additions
- Offensive lineman Nate Pabst (Bowling Green), 1 year of eligibility left
- Offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner (Purdue), 2 years of eligibility left
- Offensive lineman Paul Bowling (Troy), 3 years of eligibility left
- Offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin (Auburn), 1 year of eligibility remaining
- Offensive lineman Chimdia Nwaiwu (Stephen F. Austin), 2 years of eligibility left
This is perhaps the most encouraging position coming out of the portal window, as Herb Hand once again brought in a large group. The difference here, though, is that three of the five signees have multiple years of eligibility remaining, which helps FSU diversify its classifications in the room and avoid a major attrition cycle like the Seminoles saw this offseason. The only knock on this haul is that I’d have liked to see FSU bring in one more swing lineman who could help at tackle- Bryant Williams could have been that guy, but FSU basically ghosted him rather than accept his commitment. I’ll trust Hand here but I’m still bothered by how FSU handled that recruitment.
FSU landed its big name and big earner in left tackle Xavier Chaplin, banking on Hand getting him back to his earlier form before a down year at Auburn. Nate Pabst is an experienced, workman-like addition who should be a solid plug-and-play, while Bradyn Joiner (who nearly joined FSU last offseason) finally arrives in Tallahassee with another year of major conference experience. Chimdia Nwaiwu is the most intriguing addition for me, as he has a high ceiling if Hand can speed up his development a bit and could enter 2027 as a legitimate all-conference potential if things go well in 2026. Paul Bowling gives you positional flexibility with three years of eligibility remaining, and an additional talent at the center position to provide competition for Sandman Thompson.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line
Additions
- Edge rusher Rylan Kennedy (Texas A&M), 2 years of eligibility left
- Defensive tackle Jordan Sanders (Texas State), 1 year of eligibility left
From encouraging to discouraging. I could not be more disappointed in how FSU handled the defensive line during the portal cycle. Yes, they brought in a large prep and JUCO class, but they did so on offensive line as well and that didn’t stop Herb Hand from busting his ass to bring in more talent. I give a bit of a pass to new edge coach Nick Williams but for Terrance Knighton, who has no such excuse, this only adds to his poor recruiting reputation in Tallahassee. And let’s not forget the embarrassing public power plays from the Desir twins and Kevin Wynn.
Rylan Kennedy isn’t a bad prospect but I’m not sure he’s a plug-and-play, instant contributor that FSU needs. Jordan Sanders is a gamble from a small program and is no sure bet to be a major rotational player. That these two were the only signees is damning enough, but the fact that FSU only brought four defensive line/edge transfer prospects on campus for visits is inexcusable. John Walker left campus without FSU locking him down (a cardinal sin for top transfer targets at positions of need), only to use his offer as a bargaining floor for Ohio State negotiations, where he eventually signed. Noah Carter did the same and despite Nick Williams giving it his best effort, Georgia Tech won out for him.
I don’t know how else to spin this defensive line class as anything other than a major failure. Playing time is there. Resources are there if FSU chooses to deploy them. Pot Roast simply got cooked.
Grade: F
Linebacker
Additions
- Linebacker Chris Jones (Southern Miss), 2 years of eligibility left
- Linebacker Mikai Gbayor (UNC), 1 year of eligibility left (needs waiver)
I love the addition of Chris Jones and I love that FSU managed to convince him to come to Tallahassee instead of Ole Miss, giving the Rebels a taste of their own tampering medicine. Gotta think there were multiple coaches smirking when they read that headline. Jones instantly becomes your best linebacker and one of your best players on defense. He’s a leader and a plus athlete, and he has two years of eligibility remaining. This was perhaps FSU’s most important portal addition.
I’m assuming Gbayor has either received a waiver or that FSU feels confident in it happening, because we haven’t heard anything on that front. It was a mild surprise that Gbayor didn’t transfer to FSU last offseason but now he’ll land in a familiar defensive scheme from his Nebraska days and should immediately be in the rotation, if not starting based on his schematic knowledge.
I wanted FSU to take three linebackers from the portal but the return of Omar Graham mitigates that need. This is a win for new coach Ernie Sims, all things considered.
Grade: A- (with the assumption Gbayor got his waiver)
Defensive Back
Additions
- Defensive back Nehemiah Chandler (South Alabama), 3 years of eligibility left
- Defensive back Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame), 2 years of eligibility left
- Defensive back CJ Richard (Illinois State), 3 years of eligibility left
- Defensive back Ma’khi Jones (Duke Blue Devils), 3 years of eligibility left
While I was surprised with the number of transfer additions to the defensive backfield, I really like three of the four and it’s great to see multiple years of eligibility for each one of the new players, as this year will be the final opportunity for some of FSU’s returning underclassmen to show they belong. Jones is the best candidate to quickly earn a starting spot and it was a major victory for FSU to pull him away from Duke, who wanted badly to retain him. He could emerge as a major leader in the locker room. Richard has three years of eligibility remaining yet already has D2 All-American bona fides to his name and could be the steal of the entire class. Chandler has a great frame and should push for rotational reps quickly with a chance to be a starter heading into 2027. Hobbs provides solid depth and should contribute on special teams at the least. FSU lost some significant experience and talent to the portal but when you add these guys to the retention of star CB Ja’bril Rawls and you have a solid 2026 defensive back foundation for the Seminoles. I would have preferred Hobbs’ spot to go to another position.
Grade: B+
Specialists
Additions
- Kicker Gabe Panikowski (Oklahoma State), 1 year of eligibility left
- Kicker Conor McAneney (Quincy University), 3 years of eligibility left
- Punter Daniel Hughes (New Mexico), 3 years of eligibility left
- Punter Carter Jula (UNLV), 3 years of eligibility left
- Long snapper Caleb Bowers (North Dakota State Bison), 1 year of eligibility left
FSU set out to upgrade at both kicker positions and to replace its long snapper in this portal cycle, and it did very well in my estimation. FSU landed Panikowski over several other suitors, who essentially took a gap year at Oklahoma State last season following a dominant 2024 showing that saw him named the FCS kicker of the year and FCS All-American at Idaho State. The goal posts are the same width and height at all levels, so as long as the mental part clicks for Panikowski (rhymes with Janikowski, just saying), he should be fine. I’d call that an upgrade over Jake Weinburg, who transferred to Miami to be their kickoff specialist.
Florida State also landed a talented, and completely fascinating, punter in Daniel Hughes from New Mexico. The Australian Hughes is 27 years old, is 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, and has a 4.0 GPA to go along with a huge social media following. His punting would have set school records for the Lobos had he been called upon for a few more kicks to hit the minimum requirements. He also has three years of eligibility remaining, which is huge. I’d call that an upgrade over Mac Chiumento, who went to Texas.
At long snapper, FSU brought in Caleb Bowers from FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. He has a championship pedigree and was named FCS All-American, so I’d say FSU will be just fine at that position following the graduation of its prior long snapper.
Interestingly, Florida State added two more specialists to boot. Kicker Conor McAneney is from Northern Ireland and has a background in Gaelic football, and he’ll likely be FSU’s kickoff specialist. Punter Carter Jula followed new special teams coach Adam Scheier from UNLV and not much is known about him.
Grade: A
Overall 2026 transfer additions takeaways, grade
Overall, another mixed bag for Mike Norvell and the Seminoles when you go position-by-position in a vacuum. I feel good about offensive line, linebacker, defensive back, specialists, and running back. I’m not feeling as good about quarterback and tight end, wide receiver wasn’t addressed, and I’m feeling about as bad as I can about defensive line.
In the larger context of things, the strategy behind the additions frustratingly vacillates between wanting to win now and wanting to save money- you cannot successfully have both in this era of college football. Florida State replaced much of its off-field staff and changed its organizational structure but many of the same financial and strategic head-scratcher decisions continued into this cycle. Among them:
- Going cheap on an underwhelming transfer quarterback who you plan to start, yet still deciding to bring in another quarterback from the JUCO ranks who could push for the role in time.
- Bringing in a feature running back on what is presumably a lucrative NIL deal despite major roster needs elsewhere. This would make sense if you felt that you were one stud skill player away from contending for something bigger than a conference championship, but not when your biggest roster holes are in other positions that require large NIL deals.
- Taking two running backs but only taking one tight end, who isn’t much help blocking, and punting on the wide receiver position entirely.
- Speaking of punting… taking two kickers and two punters is certainly a choice if all four count toward your 105 limit (there is some leeway with the artists formerly known as preferred walk-ons being grandfathered into the 105 limit).
- Only bringing in four defensive line/edge prospects… I can’t let that go. It’s inexcusable.
It seemed like FSU was choosing to go cheap in the portal and focus on developing its returning players one day, only to pivot and shoot their shot for a guy like Wisner the next. It’s more of the same “our strategy is no strategy” frustration. There are certainly some good players coming to Tallahassee, and Tre Wisner, Chris Jones, and Ma’khi Jones were among the best available at their positions. The defensive back and offensive line corps saw nice influxes of talent and differentiation among class, and skill positions seem to be a resounding upgrade. Had they followed a strategy for all positions similar to what they did with offensive line this cycle, perhaps things would’ve been more balanced and the outlook more positive.
Overall grade: B-
There you have it, Tomahawk Nation. Agree? Disagree? Tell us what grades you’d give the transfer haul in the comments.
