Florida State Defensive Tackle Malcolm Ray Officially Appears In NCAA Transfer Portal

Entering the NCAA Transfer Portal is a process with multiple checks and balances. Players can't tweet their way into the portal, they have to fill out paperwork to actually appear in the database. The Seminoles have had over ten players move on since the window opened over two weeks ago.

On Wednesday morning, redshirt junior defensive tackle Malcolm Ray officially appeared in the transfer portal. That means he now has the freedom to explore his options elsewhere and communicate with other programs. There was a hope that Florida State could prevent Ray from entering the database after he declared his intentions on December 11.

The process to enter the portal typically takes around 48 hours but it took Ray nine days to be listed in the database. There is still a chance that he could return to Tallahassee but this is a step in the veteran defensive lineman potentially utilizing his final season of eligibility elsewhere. It's worth noting that he practiced with the Seminoles on Tuesday.

While playing a role in Florida State's defensive line rotation, Ray recorded 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection while appearing in all 18 games. He ended up seeing less playing time with the addition of Braden Fiske and the growth of Joshua Farmer. Ray only played 246 snaps - less than the amount of time he was on the field in each of the last two seasons.

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The Florida native has appeared in 42 games, with seven starts, while totaling 59 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery during his time in Tallahassee.

With Ray moving on, the Seminoles have four scholarship defensive tackles eligible to return next season; junior Darrell Jackson, redshirt sophomore Joshua Farmer, redshirt freshman Daniel Lyons, and true freshman KJ Sampson. It's possible that Briggs earns an extra season of eligibility after missing the majority of 2021 due to an injury.

The team will add three-star Jamorie Flagg and potentially another prospect in the high school signing class. The Seminoles absolutely have to find help in the portal with the position group quickly thinning out.

Outside of Ray, the Seminoles have seen quarterback AJ Duffy (San Diego State), running back Rodney Hill, running back CJ Campbell, tight end Markeston Douglas (Arizona State), tight end Preston Daniel, offensive lineman Bless Harris, offensive lineman Thomas Schrader, offensive lineman Daughtry Richardson (Florida Atlantic), offensive lineman Qae'shon Sapp, defensive tackle Ayobami Tifase, linebacker DJ Lundy, linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner, and kicker Tyler Keltner enter the portal.

Star defensive end Patrick Payton previously declared his intentions to do so but removed the references on social media and never officially appeared in the database.

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