The 2025 transfer portal haul for Florida State University (FSU) was a major overhaul, with a significant number of players joining the team through the NCAA Transfer Portal. This article takes a deep dive into the success and shortcomings of these transfers, evaluating their impact on FSU's 2025 season.
Did FSU's transfer portal strategy pay off? Let's find out!
Quarterback Evaluations
Tommy Castellanos: A Missed Opportunity
FSU brought in Tommy Castellanos with high hopes, but his inconsistent passing and limited mobility proved to be a challenge. While he showed flashes of brilliance as a runner, an ankle injury against Kent State hindered his explosiveness. This led to a shift towards a more pass-heavy offense, ultimately affecting FSU's offensive rhythm. Castellanos struggled in clutch situations, which is a crucial aspect for any quarterback.
Jaylen King: A Depth Take
Jaylen King, on the other hand, was a depth addition at quarterback. He worked on the scout team, providing valuable practice reps, and even saw some action in a blowout win over Kent State. King redshirted as planned, and FSU didn't expect him to contribute significantly this season.
Running Back Success
Gavin Sawchuk: A Reliable Addition
FSU recognized the need for help at the running back position and found their answer in Gavin Sawchuk from Oklahoma. Sawchuk started the season strongly but saw his usage taper off towards the end. Still, he finished as FSU's leading rusher among running backs, a testament to his reliability.
Wide Receiver Performance
Duce Robinson: A True Number One
Duce Robinson was FSU's standout wide receiver, delivering one of the best single-season performances in recent memory. He exceeded expectations, becoming a true number one receiver option and a key contributor to FSU's offense.
Squirrel White: A Disappointing Miss
Squirrel White, who made a big impact early on against Alabama, failed to live up to expectations. His season was largely defined by that one play, with only a few catches to show for the rest of the year. FSU had hoped for more from White, especially as their expected WR2, but he fell short.
Gavin Blackwell: A Late Addition, A Miss
Gavin Blackwell was a late addition to FSU's roster, brought in to provide depth at wide receiver. However, he didn't record any stats for the Seminoles in 2025 and mostly served as a reserve. While he wasn't expected to start, his lack of competition for snaps in a rotational role makes him a miss for FSU.
Tight End and Offensive Line Evaluations
Markeston Douglas: A Miss, Despite His Role
Markeston Douglas returned to FSU as a blocking tight end, occasionally contributing in the receiving game. While he didn't make a significant impact in the passing game, his blocking was serviceable according to PFF. However, his flirtation with entering the portal and leveraging FSU for a pay increase leads us to consider this a miss for the Seminoles.
Randy Pittman Jr.: A Versatile Hit
Randy Pittman Jr. joined FSU alongside offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, his former head coach at UCF. Familiar with Malzahn's scheme, Pittman played a crucial role in FSU's running game as a blocker and was a versatile asset in both the receiving game and the Wildcat rushing attack. He had one of the best seasons for a tight end in the Mike Norvell era.
Offensive Line Hits
Gunnar Hansen, Adrian Medley, Luke Petitbon, and Micah Pettus were all hits for FSU. They played their respective positions solidly, with PFF grading them highly. Hansen, in particular, had the best season of his career, solidifying his status as a hit for the Seminoles.
Defensive Line and Linebacker Struggles
Jayson Jenkins and Deamontae Diggs: Misses Due to Injuries
Both Jayson Jenkins and Deamontae Diggs suffered injuries that limited their impact for FSU. Jenkins, who FSU invested heavily in, missed spring practice due to an Achilles injury and struggled to make an impact upon his return. Diggs, on the other hand, was mainly used on passing downs before his injury, a role that didn't meet FSU's expectations.
James Williams: A Failed Experiment
James Williams, brought in with high hopes, struggled to live up to expectations. His shortcomings in the running game were exposed early on, and he was mainly used on passing downs. While he generated a decent amount of pressures, FSU needed more from him in 2025.
Deante McCray: A Bright Spot
Deante McCray was a solid run defender, living up to FSU's expectations. While he didn't provide much as a pass rusher, his defensive grade on PFF was one of the best on the team in 2025.
Linebacker Misses
Elijah Herring and Stefon Thompson, both portal additions at linebacker, failed to meet FSU's expectations. Herring was inconsistent as a run defender and struggled in the passing game. Thompson, while impactful at times, was mainly in a rotational role and couldn't elevate the play of FSU's struggling linebacker room.
Caleb LaVallee and Jerry Wilson: Misses Due to Injury
Caleb LaVallee missed the entire season due to an injury, which, while unfortunate, still puts him in the miss category due to the investment FSU made in him. Jerry Wilson, a spring portal addition, started strong but his play declined, making him a liability in coverage and inconsistent in run support.
Final Thoughts
FSU's 2025 transfer portal haul had its hits and misses. While some transfers exceeded expectations, others struggled to make an impact due to injuries or inconsistent play. The evaluation of these transfers provides valuable insights into FSU's strategy and the challenges they faced during the 2025 season.
And this is the part most people miss... What do you think? Was FSU's transfer portal strategy a success or a missed opportunity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
