The Florida State coaching staff during this transfer portal cycle was tasked with replacing nearly every contributor along the offensive line, signing former Auburn offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin on Thursday
as part of that effort.
Chaplin is a small mountain at 6-foot-7, 348 pounds. He is originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, and spent three seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to Auburn in 2025. He started all 12 games as Auburn’s left tackle, totaling 823 snaps on the season.
His 2025 PFF grades are not inspiring and while PFF grades aren’t everything, especially with offensive linemen, it shows a glaring weakness in run blocking. Chaplin earned an overall PFF grade of 56.6, with a 71.1 in pass blocking but a 56.4 in run blocking. He was also penalized 12 times in 2025. The overall PFF grade of 56.6 ranks him 1,312th in the nation among OTs and the 12 penalties were tied for the sixth-highest in the nation. Ideally, you’d want those scores to be flipped.
Chaplin had higher PFF scores at Virginia Tech, earning overall grades of 69.9 in 2024 and 62.2 in 2023, the two seasons he started for the Hokies. The regression in 2025 could be explained by several factors, including a substantial increase in competition, injuries, and poor scheme fit. Herb Hand will work to reclaim the 2024 version of Chaplin in Tallahassee.
Williams is expected to have one season of eligibility remaining. He should immediately factor into the offensive line rotation and will likely land a starting role at one of the two tackle spots. He’ll join two friends in new quarterback Ashton Daniels and fellow offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner, who was with Auburn in 2024.
From his bio:
Has started 37 consecutive games over past three seasons with Virginia Tech and Auburn…started all 12 games at left tackle for Auburn in 2025…earned 90 grade or higher in five games, including season-high 97 vs. Missouri…appeared in 26 games with 25 starts in three seasons at Virginia Tech…honorable mention All-ACC honors in 2024 after starting 12 games at tackle…ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Boston College…third-team All-American in 2023 after starting all 13 games and allowing just five sacks in 813 snaps…made collegiate debut in one game as true freshman in 2022…played both side of ball at Whale Branch Early College High School in Seabrook, South Carolina.
