Five Early Transfer Portal Targets to watch on defense for FSU Football

On Monday, the first day that the NCAA Transfer Portal was open for business this cycle, we broke down five early offensive targets for the Florida State Seminoles.

Today, we will take a closer look at five early defensive targets.

DL James Williams (Nebraska)

If there is a prospect Florida State fans should feel best about early on, it would have to be Williams. He is extremely tight with new defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, and this feels more like a matter of when and not if. As a redshirt freshman this past season, Williams racked up five sacks while coming off the bench. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder would obviously be a perfect fit for the new defense being installed by Knighton and new defensive coordinator Tony White.

DL Jimari Butler (Nebraska)

From the moment White was hired at Florida State, this was one of the names I heard FSU could be tough to beat for. I would not sleep on LSU, either, as there are some family members who like the Tigers. However, there is a very close connection with White. And I feel if the push is there from the Seminoles and the comfort level is there when he visits Tallahassee, I like the position that FSU is in. Butler, who hails from Mobile, Ala., was not super productive this season; he started every game and finished with 22 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks. But he is a sixth-year senior with great measurables at 6-5 and 260, and he had an impressive 2023 season with 34 tackles, 8.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.

DB Chasen Johnson (Central Florida)

This is another interesting target as Florida State is losing both starting cornerbacks with Fentrell Cypress graduating and Azareye’h Thomas declaring for the NFL Draft. Johnson is a long, athletic defensive back that I hear the Seminoles really like, and he obviously played for new FSU assistant Gus Malzahn with the Knights. Along with visiting Florida State this week, Johnson also reportedly will visit Miami, but we hear FSU could be the preferred spot. He saw extensive playing time as a freshman in 2024 and started four games.

LB Mikai Gbayor (Nebraska)

Gbayor is one I watched a lot when I checked out Nebraska this season, and he was a very active linebacker that seems like a great fit for White’s defense. We haven’t heard that a visit has been set up yet, but I would be surprised if one doesn’t happen soon. I’m told that if FSU pushes, the Seminoles would be one of the favorites. The 6-2, 230-pounder will be a fifth-year senior this season, and he is coming off of a strong junior campaign with 49 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

OLB Princewill Umanmielen (Nebraska)

This is a name that has picked up steam as a transfer Florida State covets. He is expected to be in that group of former Nebraska players that visits FSU, and there’s a lot to like about his potential as a young defender. The 6-5, 245-pounder has played in 23 games in his first two seasons on campus, and he posted a strong pass-rush grade of 75.6 this year, according to Pro Football Focus. His run defense was only slightly above average at 62.2, but it was actually higher (69.1) when he was a freshman. This is another player with a very strong bond with Knighton.

Additional thoughts on the defensive portal prospects

I heard Florida State was planning to talk with former Kentucky defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver on Monday night, but it sounds like he might be a tough pull with several SEC schools already out in front. And as we noted on Monday, young Nebraska defensive lineman Keona Davis is another that we’ll be keeping a close eye on. He is listed at 6-5 and 255 pounds and is very talented.

This list will definitely expand in the coming days as Florida State looks to rebuild a defense that took a big step back this year and is losing several top contributors.

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