With 10 players selected in the NFL Draft (five on offense and five on defense), three others signing as UDFAs), and several athletes leaving the program due to exhausted eligibility or the transfer portal, does FSU have enough talent to compete in the newly expanded 12-team CFP? The top 10 returning players certainly provide a solid foundation.
Florida State Seminoles Top 10 Returners in 2024
Before getting into the official top 10, there are two honorable mentions that deserve recognition. Kickers and punters are athletes, too, and the Seminoles happen to have two of the best in the ACC.
Among returning conference players, Alex Mastromanno ranks first in punt average (45.5) and 50+ yard attempts (19) and second in punts inside the 20 (26). Meanwhile, Ryan Fitzgerald is fresh off his best season yet, making 100% of his extra points (58 of 58) and 90.5% of his field goals (19 of 21). The Seminoles will look a lot different in 2024, but their special teams unit remains elite.
10) DJ Lundy, LB
DJ Lundy is a bit of a throwback thumper at 6’1″ and 240 pounds, knocking back linemen and throwing RBs aside with ease. Of course, his coverage ability has limited his reps, allowing other LBs to receive playing time over him (he only started four games in 2023. Yet, Lundy has grown in that area, showcasing a better feel in zone and an understanding when to swivel his head around.
9) Shyheim Brown, S
Shyheim Brown started all 14 games in 2023, registering 53 tackles, two sacks, one INTs, four PBUs, one fumble recovery, and two QB hurries. He’s the unquestioned leader of the secondary, and at 6’2″ and 213, he has no issues stonewalling ball carriers near the line of scrimmage or wrapping up on the move. If that wasn’t enough, Brown is also a stalwart on special teams.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention Miami transfer Davonte Brown. He’ll transition to safety with the Seminoles, and his experience as a playmaking CB while at UCF should translate well in the slot and the deep third.
8) Joshua Farmer, DT
The Seminoles saw Brade Fiske go in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and Fabien Lovett joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Next off the line could be Joshua Farmer, who is only entering his redshirt sophomore season.
In 2023, he flashed his searing get-off, generating five sacks and disrupting several more plays. There’s room to polish his pass-rush repertoire and technique against the run, but few DTs have the physical tools Farmer does.
7) Sione Lolohea, EDGE
To compensate for the loss of Jared Verse, FSU dipped into the transfer portal and landed Oregon State’s Sione Lolohea and Georgia’s Marvin Jones Jr. Over the last two years, Lolohea has produced 80 tackles, 14 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Standing 6’3″ and 265 pounds, he’s an imposing presence across from Payton.
Jones, on the other hand, is a juiced-up 6’5″ and 255 pounds with a five-star pedigree. He just hasn’t played much over the last two years, but Norvell and Co. believe they can unlock his potential.
6) Malik Benson, WR
No Keon Coleman or Johnny Wilson, no problem? Florida State’s offense will look vastly different in 2024, as QB Jordan Travis and RB Trey Benson are also gone, but Alabama transfer Malik Benson has the skill set to thrive catching passes from DJ Uiagalelei.
MORE: 2024 ACC WR Rankings
Benson was one of the only FSU WRs to routinely create separation during the spring and showed a good rapport with his new QB. Of course, we’ll need to see it on the field first before placing him any higher on the list. After earning the No. 1 JUCO transfer ranking, Benson only caught 13 passes for 162 yards and one score at Alabama last year. Nevertheless, the raw talent is there.
5) Fentrell Cypress II, CB
Fentrell Cypress II enters Year 2 in Tallahassee after transferring in from Virginia last offseason, and he looked markedly quicker during the spring. His 40 tackles, eight PBUs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery from last season are nothing to scoff at and resulted in an All-ACC honorable mention. However, with a year under his belt and now 10 pounds heavier, expect much more from Cypress in 2024.
4) Patrick Payton, EDGE
The recipient of first-round draft hype, Patrick Payton enters the 2024 season with elevated expectations. While he needs to expand his pass-rush toolbox, Payton possesses a Gumby-esque frame at 6’5″ that affords him room for error other EDGEs aren’t privy to.
In 14 starts last year, Payton generated 44 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, seven sacks, 10 PBUs, and two forced fumbles. FSU’s roster lists him at 254 pounds now, which should help add strength at the point of attack and put sand in his pants against the run.
3) DJ Uiagalelei, QB
Uiagalelei has a chance at ACC redemption with the Seminoles after stalling out with Clemson two years ago. Following a strong season at Oregon State (2,638 passing yards, 21 TDs, and seven INTs), he’ll aim to limit the drop-off from Jordan Travis at FSU.
HC Mike Norvell and OC Alex Atkins have a lot to work with in DJU, from his rocket arm to his mobile 6’4″ and 252-pound frame. It’s up to him to take advantage of the run-heavy and rhythm-based scheme.
2) Azareye’h Thomas, CB
With prototypical size (6’2″, 198), length, and athleticism, Azareye’h Thomas is in for a breakout campaign. Playing behind Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones, he fell under the radar, but Thomas still posted 10 pass deflections.
Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparation.” In Thomas’ case, I predict an all-conference campaign is what happens.
But don’t take my word for it — here is what Norvell had to say about Thomas this offseason:
“Look at a guy like Azareye’h Thomas, who’s really been our third corner. We had 2 guys drafted this last year, but he played over 400 snaps a year ago, and I think will be potentially one of the best corners in all of CFB.”
1) Darius Washington, OT
With 37 starts under his belt, Darius Washington is a seasoned veteran — and not just at left tackle. He’s taken meaningful reps at RT in previous years and even kicked inside to center in three games in 2023.
KEEP READING: 2024 ACC QB Rankings
Will so much turnover, Norvell will lean on Washington’s experience and leadership in the locker room and on the field — it helps that he is also a stalwart in both phases as a blocker.
However, Washington isn’t the only OL worthy of recognition. Center Maurice Smith is back for his sixth and final season. With two SEC transfers on either side of him (Richie Leonard IV, Florida; TJ Ferguson, Alabama), he could be in for an all-conference performance.
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