FSU Football Offseason Ranking Sends Rough Message About 2026

The Florida State Seminoles face an uphill battle in 2026 and will hit the ground running almost immediately on the road in mid-September to face off against an Alabama Crimson Tide team looking for redemption.

The Seminoles continue to sit somewhere between uncertainty and recycled optimism. Even after consecutive disappointing seasons, FSU still occupies a strange place in the ACC hierarchy. They're too talented to dismiss entirely, but back-to-back losing seasons provide an inconsistency that is easy to distrust.

ESPN’s latest ACC power rankings reflected that same uncertainty surrounding Florida State entering 2026. With the Miami Hurricanes at the top and the Seminoles seen as a middle-of-the-pack ACC team, the uncertainty surrounding a roster built on projection rather than certainty is reinforced.

Florida State Projected Near Bottom of ACC

Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

The Seminoles currently sit at No. 9 out of 17 teams in ESPN's latest ACC rankings, citing key additions of running back Quintrevion Wisner, offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin, and quarterback Ashton Daniels, and departures of safety Earl Little, Jr., alongside key pass catchers who transferred within the conference.

"Florida State avoided a coaching search by giving Norvell another year, but still endured significant roster attrition this offseason. The Seminoles are returning only seven of the 24 players who started five-plus games in 2026 after losing eight starters to the portal and nine more to graduation," ESPN wrote.

"The secondary took a hit with the loss of Little (Ohio State) and Edwin Joseph (Ole Miss); linebackerJustin Cryer transferred to Texas; and two of Florida State's top four pass catchers transferred within the conference, with receiver Lawayne McCoy going to Louisville and tight end Randy Pittman Jr. joining SMU. A total of 33 scholarship players exited via the portal this offseason."

Despite Attrition, FSU Retained Core Building Blocks

Nov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Ousmane Kromah (32) drops the ball during the second quarter against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images | Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

The Seminoles will return a group of talented underclassmen and key retainments of defensive linemen Mandrell and Darryll Desir, alongside wide receiver Duce Robinson, who should help the transition in 2026.

"Norvell and his coaches put a bunch of promising freshmen on the field last season and were able to get them to re-up for 2026... Receiver Micahi Danzy, running back Ousmane Kromah, and defensive tackle Kevin Wynn stayed put, and twin defensive linemen Mandrell Desir and Darryll Desir re-signed after briefly entering the portal. Keeping All-ACC wideout Duce Robinson out of the NFL draft also was a big win."

SMU checked in at No. 2, which could turn FSU's early-season showdown on September 7 into a must-watch game as the Seminoles currently sit at 2.5 underdogs at home. Interestingly enough, the Seminoles fared better than the Clemson Tigers, who sit at No. 11, but fell shy of the Cal Bears, who currently hold the No. 3 spot.

Florida State enters 2026 balancing somewhere between potential and proof of concept. The talent is there, but with roster turnover, new faces, and lingering questions surrounding consistency, the Seminoles will not have much time to figure things out before the season begins to define itself.

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