Productive defender linked to FSU football's coaching staff entering portal

The Florida State Seminoles will have to utilize the NCAA Transfer Portal to fortify the roster this offseason.

There are multiple positions that are in need of an upgrade in talent and depth. It starts at quarterback, but Florida State is losing all five starters on its offensive line, along with a variety of other important faces such as redshirt sophomore cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls, redshirt sophomore safety Edwin Joseph, and redshirt junior linebacker Omar Graham Jr.

At a minimum, three starters won't return in the defensive backfield with Rawls and Joseph expected to enter the portal, along with senior cornerback Jerry Wilson exhausting his eligibility. Redshirt junior Earl Little Jr. also has a decision to make.

With heavy changes coming on defense, could Florida State's coaching staff turn to a familiar face on the open market?

Nebraska DB Who Produced Under FSU DC Tony White Entering Portal

Oct 26, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) returns an interception during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

On Friday, redshirt junior defensive back Malcom Hartzog Jr. announced his plans to move on from Nebraska. Hartzog Jr. played a big role in his first three seasons with the Cornhuskers but suffered an injury in 2025, appearing in two games and retaining his redshirt to be able to return to college football in 2026.

Hartzog Jr. signed with Nebraska as a three-star prospect in 2022, remaining with the program when head coach Matt Rhule took over the program the following year. Rhule brought in defensive coordinator Tony White to run his defense in 2023 and 2024.

NEW: Nebraska DB Malcolm Hartzog plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports.

Hartzog recorded the game-winning interception against Cincinnati this season and has totaled 108 career tackles.https://t.co/4jiNg5xtX2 pic.twitter.com/UFPiE6FwAC
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 19, 2025

It's worth noting that safeties coach Evan Cooper was also on Nebraska's staff in 2023.

In those two seasons, Hartzog Jr. appeared in 24 games and made 22 starts, 12 at cornerback and ten at safety. He totaled 85 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, ten pass deflections, and four interceptions.

Hartzog Jr. has displayed his versatility, and he's a proven fit in White's scheme. It would make sense for Florida State to at least kick the tires.

In his career, Hartzog Jr. has appeared in 38 games, recording 108 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass deflections, and eight interceptions. He also returned a punt for a touchdown in 2022.

Hartzog Jr. stands at 5-foot-9, 185-pounds. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Florida State is moving towards hiring Michigan State secondary coach Blue Adams to coach cornerbacks in Tallahassee.