Florida State football made one of the largest roster overhauls in the Power Four entering the 2026 season. Three games in, 247Sports is not impressed with the early return.
247Sports’ Cody Nagel evaluated the 26 Power Four programs that added at least 50 newcomers this offseason, grading how each rebuilt roster has performed through the first three weeks. Florida State received an F, the lowest grade given to any team included in the exercise.
The Seminoles brought 57 newcomers into the program for 2026, the 10th-most among the teams evaluated by Nagel. FSU sits at 1-2 following consecutive losses to the SMU Mustangs and Alabama Crimson Tide after opening the season with a victory over New Mexico State.
Nagel pointed specifically to Florida State’s
quarterback situation and defensive struggles in explaining the failing grade. He praised senior receiver Duce Robinson but questioned whether quarterback Ashton Daniels can consistently maximize one of the Seminoles’ top offensive weapons.
Robinson finally broke through against Alabama, catching six passes for 135 yards and a touchdown in the 50-36 loss, while Daniels threw for 377 yards and two scores. Daniels also threw three interceptions as FSU failed to capitalize on an early 21-6 advantage.
The defensive performance was another major concern for Nagel. He noted that Florida State put Alabama in trouble early before allowing touchdowns on six of the Crimson Tide’s final seven possessions. Alabama ultimately finished with 567 total yards while handing FSU its second straight defeat.
The contrast with several other heavily rebuilt programs has made FSU’s start stand out. Nine of the 26 teams in Nagel’s study remained undefeated through three games, while programs including Mississippi State and Ole Miss earned A+ grades for the early returns on their roster turnover.
Florida State will have an opportunity to begin changing that evaluation Saturday when it returns home to face Central Arkansas. The game is set to start at 3 p.m. ET and will be on the ACC Network.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Florida State’s roster overhaul gets harsh early grade by 247 Sports
