Transfer Portal Targets: Where FSU might look to strengthen 2024 roster

The transfer portal will be open for business again on Tuesday, and as always, Florida State is expected to be a player when it comes to acquiring more talent for the 2024 season.

In the winter window, Florida State signed 14 players out of the transfer portal and also gained a commitment from Harvard offensive lineman Jacob Rizy, who is expected to enroll over the summer after he graduates from his current school.

When it comes to the spring window, Florida State will be much more selective. This time last year, we only saw the Seminoles go after three main portal targets, and they landed two: WR Keon Coleman and LB Justin Cryer. This time, we’d expect the ‘Noles to land around three or four.

Here are some positions to watch:

Defensive Tackle

This is one spot where we would definitely expect FSU to look for a little more depth. While the Seminoles are strong at the top of the depth chart, with redshirt juniors Josh Farmer and Darrell Jackson followed by veteran Colorado State transfer Grady Kelly, they could use a little more experience in the next group.

West Virginia transfer Tomiwa Durojaiye is working at tackle and end this spring, so he could be a candidate for the fourth spot in the rotation, but he’s not exactly a proven commodity. The other top options are redshirt sophomore Daniel Lyons and redshirt freshman KJ Sampson.

FSU’s coaches rotated defensive linemen frequently last season with the goal of keeping them fresh late in games and late in the season, and that plan worked to perfection. If they’re going to do that again, it would be good to bring in another proven interior lineman.

Offensive Tackle

Florida State has a lot of options on the offensive line, but the Seminoles still might be a player for an offensive tackle during this window.

Senior Robert Scott has been very good when healthy, but he missed much of last season and is again limited this spring. UTEP transfer Jeremiah Byers, meanwhile, started all 14 games last season but battled inconsistency.

With Scott struggling to get healthy last fall, versatile veteran Darius Washington played extensively at tackle and picked up first-team All-ACC honors. He could lock down one of the outside spots, or the Seminoles could move him back inside to guard. Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Early is likely next in line at tackle now that Julian Armella has made the move to guard, but Early also is inexperienced.

If FSU does look for help at tackle, a name to keep an eye on is Payton Kirkland, who is expected to enter the portal from Texas. Kirkland is a former three-star recruit from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. On3’s Pete Nakos also reported that Florida State could be interested in Arkansas tackle Andrew Chamblee.

Wide Receiver

This is not a position where Florida State needs bodies, so they won’t take one just to take one; this is already a pretty crowded room. But if a standout prospect comes available, like Keon Coleman did one year ago after the spring, then the Seminoles could jump into the fray.

Florida State currently has a lot of talented but unproven receivers on the roster. There also is a great deal of speed. But none of the receivers have emerged as a dominant force through the first few weeks of spring practice.

One name to watch who has already entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer is KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Penn State. Lambert-Smith was expected to be the Nittany Lions’ top wide receiver in 2024, and he will be among the more coveted early players in the portal.

Tight End

Florida State has some very athletic tight ends on the roster, including senior Kyle Morlock and elite 2024 signee Landen Thomas. However, the Seminoles could probably use a big-bodied blocking tight end to help in the run game.

According to Pro Football Focus, Morlock posted a solid pass-blocking grade last season at 78.4. But when it came to run-blocking, his grade plummeted to a 44.9. Thomas has a great frame for the future, but he likely still needs some time in the weight room and in a college nutrition program.

Linebacker

After losing both starters from last season, the Seminoles signed one linebacker transfer in the winter window, Shawn Murphy from Alabama. Then they continued to look to bolster the position by recruiting Auburn transfer Cam Riley, who eventually headed to N.C. State.

Senior DJ Lundy returns to anchor the position group, and Florida State has a number of young linebackers who are having solid springs, including sophomores Blake Nichelson and Justin Cryer. And the Seminoles’ coaches have high hopes for the return of redshirt sophomore Omar Graham to full strength.

But if a quality proven linebacker appeared in the portal, the Seminoles might be tempted to fortify this position and allow the younger players more time to mature.

*ALSO SEE: FSU Roster Analysis: How much attrition will Seminoles see in new transfer window?

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

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