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Where did ESPN rank FSU football's offseason in the ACC?
TL;DR
ESPN ranked Florida State Seminoles' offseason as the ninth best in the ACC. The team faced significant player turnover and coaching changes ahead of a crucial season for head coach Mike Norvell.
Key points
- FSU ranked ninth in the ACC by ESPN for offseason changes
- 35 players transferred out and 33 were brought in
- Mike Norvell is back as playcaller after Gus Malzahn's retirement
Mentioned in this story
Mike NorvellGus MalzahnTim Harris Jr.Kam MartinAustin TuckerNick WilliamsErnie SimsBlue AdamaAdam Scheier
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles are entering the most important season of Mike Norvell's tenure in Tallahassee. He is firmly on the hot seat after back-to-back losing seasons and desperately needs to get things back on track in 2026 to save his job.
It was yet another offseason full of change for the Seminoles, who have once again turned to the transfer portal to try to improve their roster and have shaken up the coaching staff. They had 35 players transfer out and brought in 33 to replace them, to go along with 34 high school signees.
With Gus Malzahn retiring as offensive coordinator, Norvell is back to being the playcaller, with Tim Harris Jr. getting promoted to offensive coordinator. They also have five new position coaches in Kam Martin (running backs), Austin Tucker (quarterbacks), Nick Williams (edge), Ernie Sims (linebacker), Blue Adama (cornerbacks), and a new special teams coordinator in Adam Scheier.
All the moves have not impressed ESPN's staff, which ranked FSU's offseason as the ninth best in the ACC. They highlighted FSU's losses through the transfer portal and lack of returning production as things that went wrong.
Florida State avoided a coaching search by giving Norvell another year but still endured significant roster attrition this offseason. The Seminoles are returning only seven of the 24 players who started five-plus games in 2026 after losing eight starters to the portal and nine more to graduation. The secondary took a hit with the loss of Little (Ohio State) and Edwin Joseph (Ole Miss); linebacker Justin Cryer transferred to Texas; and two of Florida State's top four pass catchers transferred within the conference, with receiver Lawayne McCoy going to Louisville and tight end Randy Pittman Jr. joining SMU. A total of 33 scholarship players exited via the portal this offseason. The Seminoles pursued a trio of transfer QBs in DJ Lagway, Anthony Colandrea and Daniels in January before signing Daniels, a former two-year starter at Stanford who made three starts at Auburn in 2025.
Q&A
What factors contributed to ESPN ranking FSU's offseason ninth in the ACC?
ESPN cited FSU's significant player losses through the transfer portal and a lack of returning production as key reasons for the low ranking.
How many players transferred out of FSU football this offseason?
FSU football had 35 players transfer out during the offseason.
Who are the new coaching staff members for FSU football in 2026?
FSU football's new coaching staff includes Tim Harris Jr. as offensive coordinator and five new position coaches, including Kam Martin and Austin Tucker.
