A Heisman candidate QB and All-American on defense lead strongest FSU roster in years

Florida State enters the 2023 season with one of its most talented and deepest rosters since its 2013 national championship season.

The Miami Herald grades the Seminoles roster, breaking down each position group.

Quarterbacks | A

Jordan Travis’ breakthrough 2022 season is the centerpiece of this loaded FSU roster which could be the one that puts the Seminoles back in serious national title contention. Travis has gradually improved since becoming the primary starter in 2021, but took a huge leap forward last season with new career highs in passing yards (3,214), passing touchdowns (24) and a career-low five interceptions. His ability to also improvise and make plays running the ball (1,734 career rushing yards) makes this offense even more dangerous and Travis potentially a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

Backup Tate Rodemaker is entering his fourth season in the program and is capable in spots should anything happen to Travis as he showed in last year’s comeback win against Louisville.

Running backs | A-

Trey Benson became one of the key transfer portal additions in 2022 and added a home run threat to the Noles’ backfield. Benson ran for 990 yards and his presence became even more important down the stretch after Treshaun Ward suffered an injury against N.C. State that sidelined him for a month.

Ward transferred to Kansas State, opening the door for Benson to be more of a feature back this season. The running back room has experience around him with versatile junior Lawrance Toafili entering his fourth season with the program, junior C.J. Campbell back from injury, and Caziah Holmes. DJ Lundy, a converted linebacker, was a discovery for the Seminoles’ offense and returns at fullback with the Noles also hoping to see contributions from several younger backs like redshirt freshman Rodney Hill.

Wide receivers | B+

Redshirt junior Johnny Wilson’s physical presence alone at 6-7, 238 pounds commands attention. His speed, hands and ability to become a deep threat gave FSU’s passing game an added dimension it had been missing in recent years as he finished with 43 catches for 897 yards and five touchdowns. His 20.86 receiving yards per catch ranked fifth nationally. Wilson’s presence alone keeps this unit as one of the best in the ACC, but he’ll have help this season as FSU added depth through the portal by picking up Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman (798 receiving yards last season). Redshirt junior Jakhi Douglas showed flashes of his speed and playmaking ability on special teams and could have a big season with Wilson and Coleman commanding attention on the boundaries. Also expect the long-awaited debut of freshman and former four-star prospect Destyn Hill.

Tight ends | B

The addition of South Carolina transfer Jaheim Bell (1,029 yards over the past two seasons) gives this group a high-level offensive threat it lacked even during last year’s breakout campaign. Although they lose capable starter Cameron McDonald, Markeston Douglas and Preston Daniel have worked their way up the ranks in the offense and are capable blocking tight ends. FSU needs to find a backup behind Bell they can call upon. That could be Division-II transfer Kyle Morlock, who caught 30 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns at Shorter University in 2022.

Offensive line | B+

One of the most improved units overall on the roster last season and the driving force behind an offense that led the ACC in yards gained per pass, yards gained per play, yards gained per rush, total offense per game, yards per completion, rushing offense per game and scoring offense per game. Although they lost two starters including All-ACC guard Dillan Gibbons, they return junior tackle Robert Scott Jr. and junior center Maurice Smith, senior guard D’Mitri Emmanuel and right tackle Bless Harris. They also added depth with experienced transfers Casey Roddick (Colorado) and Keiondre Jones (Auburn) at guard and Jeremiah Byers (UTEP) at tackle.

Defensive line | A+

Without a doubt one of the deepest units on the roster led by All-ACC first team edge rusher Jared Verse, who made nine starts and finished with nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss. The front four is anchored by Verse, veteran tackle Fabian Lovett, transfer tackles Braden Fiske (Western Michigan) and Darrell Jackson Jr. (Miami) and sophomore Patrick Payton (Miami Northwestern alum), who had a breakout 2022 with five sacks and earned the conference’s Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Another transfer Gilber Edmond (South Carolina) should add depth to the pass rush.

Linebackers | B

Seniors Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune are the returning starters leading this group. Bethune, who transferred from UCF prior to the 2022 season, finished with 84 tackles including 9.5 for loss, and became a major disruptive force on the defensive side. DeLoach is another veteran entering his fifth season and Lundy, who is entering his fourth season, should add depth as well. Redshirt freshman Omar Graham Jr., an alum of Stranahan High in Fort Lauderdale, could see an opportunity to make an impact.

Defensive backs | A-

This group took a hit with the departure of All-ACC safety Jammie Robinson, but returns four starters and should be even deeper with the arrival of All-ACC cornerback Fentrell Cypress II, a transfer from Virginia. Cypress led the nation with 1.6 pass breakups per game last season and started all nine games he appeared in for the Cavaliers. Senior Renardo Green likely starts at the opposite corner and junior Kevin Knowles II is one of the group’s experienced playmakers. Strong safety Akeem Dent should also provide depth along with Shyheim Brown.

Special teams | B-

Despite returning a three-year starting punter, and multiple returners who injected some life into the return game in 2022, the kicking game was a big concern after placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald went 12 for 20 on field goals last season. Fitzgerald improved during the latter half of the season and the Seminoles are hoping for more consistency from him this season. Tyler Keltner, a transfer from ETSU could push Fitzgerald for the job should he struggle. Alex Mastromanno has averaged nearly 43 yards per punt during his FSU career and remains one of the conference’s best. Benson returned a 93-yard kickoff for a touchdown last year against Boston College, which was FSU’s first since 2014, but it’s more likely they turn to West Virginia transfer Winston Wright Jr. to handle the bulk of those duties. Coleman and Hill are other options.