3 FSU Football Roster Questions That Must be Answered Before Week 0

Florida State has reached game week after a grueling fall camp, but Mike Norvell and his staff still have several personnel decisions to make before the Seminoles open the season.

Last year's rebuild has created competition throughout the roster, and with Week 0 approaching, these three roster questions will help determine which version of FSU takes the field on August 29.

Who Will Be Florida State's Starting Five Up Front?

FSU has experience among its potential starters on the offensive line, but finding the right mix remains the challenge.

Xavier Chaplin brings 37 consecutive starts at left tackle, while Bradyn Welch-Joiner started all 12 games at center for Purdue last season. Nate Pabst, Chimdia Nwaiwu, Paul Bowling, and returning lineman Andre Otto have stepped up this offseason.

Offensive line coach Herb Hand has emphasized versatility throughout fall camp and recently said publicly that the lineup was not set in stone.

Pabst can play guard or tackle, while Bowling has experience at center and left guard, allowing FSU to experiment with multiple looks.

The Seminoles will likely rotate additional linemen against New Mexico State, but they still need to find the five players whom they can trust to weather the storm.

It is a luxury FSU cannot afford once the Seminoles begin road tests and conference play in 2026.

What Will FSU’s Running Back Rotation Look Like?

Nov 23, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Samuel Singleton Jr. (28) runs the ball against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Florida State may not have a traditional three-down starter; however, Ousmane Kromah returns after rushing for 408 yards as a true freshman, while Samuel Singleton Jr. averaged 7.1 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns last season.

Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner provides the most proven production of the group, but worries from the last two seasons' running back rotation continue to trickle throughout the fan base.

Wisner's missing time during fall camp gave Kromah and Singleton additional opportunities before the veteran began working his way back into the rotation. That creates a difficult decision for running backs coach Kam Martin, especially with each player offering something different.

FSU still needs to establish a hierarchy. Who starts, who handles passing situations, and who receives the ball when the Seminoles need a critical yard remain unanswered entering Week 0.

Norvell’s return to offensive play-calling adds another layer to the situation, with the opener offering the first indication of how he plans to distribute touches in the run game.

Who Will Start Opposite Ja’Bril Rawls at Cornerback?

Rawls is the established cornerback after recording 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception last year before an injury derailed his 2025 season.

The more compelling battle is between senior Quindarrius Jones and South Alabama transfer Nehemiah Chandler.

Chandler has stronger production, having recorded 13 pass breakups and two interceptions across 10 starts last season. Charles Lester III has also created multiple turnovers during camp and should remain part of the rotation, but Jones and Chandler appear to be the primary candidates.

With White’s pressure packages capable of leaving cornerbacks isolated, FSU needs more than Rawls to hold up consistently on the perimeter.

Add us as a preferred source on Google