Analysis: How Florida State can best address it sudden lack of safety depth

If the Florida State football staff was conflicted at all about where it should focus its efforts in transfer portal acquisitions later this spring and summer, that matter was cleared up for the Seminoles this weekend.

The top priority now, following the departures of backups Travis Jay and Omarion “Duke” Cooper, is clearly at safety. That position has soared to No. 1 like a rocket.

Even with Cooper and Jay still in the mix, Florida State was expected to seek a safety in the portal, and the Seminoles were getting involved with prospects such as UAB standout Jaylen Key.

And there was good reason for that. While they had five scholarship players at the position during the spring and one or two more freshmen arriving for the fall, there were major questions behind projected starters Akeem Dent and Shyheim Brown.

Cooper had just made the move from cornerback during the spring and had never played the position in a game. And Jay had not played in a game since 2021; he missed the 2022 season due to academics.

Truth be told: Mike Norvell and his staff were likely concerned about the depth at this spot even before both players entered the portal. Cooper never seemed thrilled with the switch from cornerback — he said he would do it because he is a team player — and Jay’s status was already in doubt. The redshirt junior was sidelined for the second half of the spring with an injury, and he has missed two full seasons due to academics already.

So it was hardly a sure thing that he would be available. And even if he was, it’s not as if Jay had played at a high level in the past.

But at least those two veterans were possible contributors. Now, the Seminoles go into the summer with Dent, Brown and freshman K.J. Kirkland as the only scholarship safeties who played that position in the spring. Two of Kirkland’s classmates — four-star signee Conrad Hussey of Fort Lauderdale and three-star Ja’Bril Rawls of Pensacola — could also be placed there when they arrive later this summer.

So that’s five scholarship players, but three would be true freshmen.

How many safeties the Seminoles go after in the portal could depend on whether they look at moving any veteran defensive backs to that position.

The good news for Florida State is that defensive coordinator Adam Fuller — like many college coaches these days — tries to recruit DBs who can play corner or safety. They place a major premium on that versatility. And some of the Seminoles’ cornerbacks and nickelbacks have gotten practice reps at safety in the past.

The most experienced option, of course, is redshirt senior Renardo Green, who started some at safety earlier in his Florida State career. But based on how well Green played at cornerback last season, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors, moving back seems highly unlikely.

Speaking strictly from a measurables standpoint, freshman Quindarrius Jones (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and sophomore Azareye’h Thomas (6-2, 188) would be the most natural candidates to make the transition from corner to safety. And with Florida State’s newly realized lack of experience and depth at the position, there’s a chance one or both could be tempted by the possibility of major playing time.

Even if the Seminoles have luck with that approach, however, they certainly are going to want to land at least one — and maybe two — safeties through the portal.

On top of the wish list right now appears to be Key, the former UAB standout. He is one of the top safeties available, according to the On3 transfer portal rankings, and he has strong ties to Florida State.

Key, who is listed at 6-2 and 210 pounds, played in high school at Tallahassee Godby and Gadsden County for former Florida State great Corey Fuller, who now is on the Seminoles’ support staff. As a redshirt junior this past season, Key recorded 60 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles; he established a career high with 12 tackles against LSU.

Key told Warchant’s Michael Langston and other reporters on Saturday he is planning to take an official visit to Florida State later this week.

It’s not a slam-dunk that the Seminoles land Key, however, as Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn and other schools are in hot pursuit. But Florida State should be very attractive to Key and other safety candidates for several reasons (on top of his personal connections).

The Seminoles not only can offer major playing time and even the opportunity to win a starting role, but they are projected to enter the 2023 season ranked in the top five or top 10, they have a proven track record with transfers enjoying immediate success, and they should have a loaded defensive front — which could lead to greater opportunities for safeties to make big plays.

Before the recent departures, a case could be made that Florida State should look for additional depth pieces at defensive end and linebacker, as well as safety. But now, the top focus clearly has to be on the back end of the defense.

After that, we would look for the Seminoles to potentially shore up those two other spots on defense, and perhaps look for another wide receiver following the departure of veteran Mycah Pittman.

The NCAA transfer portal window for football players exiting programs ends tonight at midnight, but players who earn their bachelor’s degrees can enter the portal at any time.

Stay connected with Warchant.com and the Premium Recruiting Board for continuing coverage of the Seminoles’ efforts in the transfer portal.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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