2025 has come and gone for Florida State football and though there was improvement in the overall record, the results still fell short of Seminole expectations. With next season make-or-break for head coach Mike Norvell, how he and his staff navigate the roster could save his job or end his embattled tenure in Tallahassee. How did each position group do last season and what does the future look like?
The 2024 Florida State Seminoles wide receiver unit was historically inept and one of the worst WR
corps FSU has fielded since Bobby Bowden took charge in Tallahassee. Ron Dugans was fired from his position and FSU brought in Tim Harris, Jr. from UCF to oversee the overhaul of the receiving corps. Six receivers from 2024 hit the transfer portal out of town. The Seminoles signed three wide receivers as part of #Tribe25 (though Jordan Scott would quickly transfer to Maryland) and landed a legacy transfer in Duce Robinson, brought in a productive slot receiver (though recovering from injury) in Squirrel White, and for reasons unknown to us, gave money to Gavin Blackwell to come to Tallahassee.
How did the overhaul of the wide receiver room fare? Let’s take a look at PFF grades for the receivers with 15 or more targets each season.
2025 Florida State wide receivers: PFF grades
PFF National Ranking: T-51st overall, 73.0 pass routes
- Duce Robinson: 79.6 Total Offense, 80.4 on Pass Routes
- Micahi Danzy: 70.7 Total Offense, 66.3 on Pass Routes
- Lawayne McCoy: 69.0 Total Offense, 69.4 on Pass Routes
- Jayvan Boggs: 64.0 Total Offense, 63.1 on Pass Routes
- Squirrel White: 50.8 Total Offense, 50.5 on Pass Routes
2024 Florida State wide receivers: PFF grades
PFF National Ranking: 125th overall, 60.8 pass routes (let that sink in for a moment)
- Ja’Khi Douglas: 73.1 Total Offense, 74.8 on Pass Routes
- Malik Benson: 59.2 Total Offense, 59.5 on Pass Routes
- Kentron Poitier: 58.7 Total Offense, 59.1 on Pass Routes
- Hykeem Williams: 58.3 Total Offense, 58.1 on Pass Routes
- Jalen Brown: 56.0 Total Offense, 58.9 on Pass Routes
In one year under Tim Harris, Jr.’s direction, FSU made a significant improvement among the wide receiving corps. The 2025 squad featured four receivers who scored a 64 or above in PFF, while the second-highest receiver grade in 2024 was a 59.2.
Duce Robinson thrived in his #1 role, jumping from a 74.0/74.4 in 2024 at USC to a 79.6/80.4 last season. Micahi Danzy was a revelation in his first season playing wideout and while there is still plenty of development needed, he flashed tools that can make him into a legitimate #2 receiver. Lawayne McCoy jumped from a 60.1/59.0 in 2024 to a 69.0/69.4 in 2025, showing positive development (particularly toward the end of the season). Jayvan Boggs, limited by injuries, still put up solid grades for a true freshman. If the ‘Noles can convince Robinson to return along with Danzy and McCoy, further develop Boggs, and get some contributions out of a couple of the incoming receviers, you have the makings of a strong unit for 2026.
That said, the utilization of Squirrel White was completely puzzling. His strengths were essentially neutered while being somewhat forced into becoming a return specialist, a role in which he struggled with confidence and inconsistency at the worst possible times. This was a wasted season for him and I fault FSU more than Squirrel for that. As for Blackwell, I hope he invested whatever money FSU gave him and ran. He was targeted once, didn’t catch that ball, and got paid to rehab most of the year.
2026 wide receiver recruiting
FSU added six prep wide receivers in #Tribe26, four of whom are considered blue-chips (rated four-stars or higher). The Seminoles hit the prep ranks hard for a variety of skill sets among its signees. Here’s what I had to say about them:
Finally, a bright spot to discuss. Wide receiver went from being an eyesore in 2024 to marked improvement in 2025 thanks to Duce Robinson, Micahi Danzy, and Lawayne McCoy. But there were still issues. Squirrel White was paid handsomely to be completely mis-utilized in the passing game and to be timid in the return game. I continue to shout about Gavin Blackwell being the stupidest portal take of the last cycle.
Tim Harris has been a breath of fresh air after the stale stench of Ron Dugans. We saw actual development translating into improved performance through Danzy and McCoy. Robinson had a great season. Wide receiver recruiting is also on the upswing, with six incoming high school receivers coming to Tallahassee (four of whom are blue-chips). They weren’t easy recruitments, either.
Jasen Lopez is a nice victory over the hometown Miami Hurricanes and should make an early impact at slot receiver. Brandon Bennett, the fastest signee in #Tribe26, chose FSU over Georgia and Alabama. Devin Carter flipped from FSU to Auburn and back to FSU, and the Seminoles were able to hold on to his pledge the second time around. Efrem White is another blue-chip addition, while Jonah Winston and Darryon Williams are developmental prospects.
The only things keeping this from being an A are the lack of a true #1 wideout and my frustration with FSU basically conceding Keeyun Chapman at UNC. I think he’s going to be a good one.
As far as the transfer portal goes, you’re going to have to pay up for a bona fide WR1 if Duce Robinson heads to the NFL Draft. Even if he returns, you may still want to add an experienced, big-bodied player to further diversify the room and help with run blocking. I would love to see FSU pursue someone in that mold from lower-level D1 programs or even top D2 programs. No more paying for prior-conference affiliations.
2026 projected depth
If Duce Robinson runs it back with the Seminoles, he’s your unquestioned WR1. I think you’re looking at a battle between Danzy and McCoy to fill the WR2 spot. I really think 2026 signee Jasen Lopez could factor into the slot role and maybe even push for a starting spot if he can master the offense quickly. The second unit will likely consist of a portal addition, possibly Teriq Mallory, and one or two of the other 2026 signees (I have my eye on Devin Carter and Brandon Bennett).
2026 outlook
It all depends on Duce. If he returns, FSU’s wide receivers can become the strength of the offense after a couple of gross seasons. If not, the Seminoles will need to find someone in the portal to fill most of what he brings to the table and rely on development for returners. I really like FSU’s thinking of hitting the prep ranks hard for wide receivers this cycle, and while you weren’t able to sign a stud, you still brought in some blue-chip talent with varying skill sets. Lopez and Carter in particular were big victories, and people shouldn’t sleep on Bennett with his speed. Tim Harris was perhaps the 2025 coaching addition with the littlest fanfare, but he’s proven to be among the top developers and recruiters on this iteration of Mike Norvell’s staff.
