FSU aiming to be “Motivated” in opening days For 2024 Season…

2025 offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, of IMG Academy, received a Florida State offer over the weekend — the 6-foot-3, 285 pound four-star is considered the No. 21 interior offensive lineman in his class (No. 391 overall) and also holds offers from the Alabama Crimson Tide, Miami Hurricanes, Georgia Bulldogs, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, Auburn Tigers, Texas Longhorns, USC Trojans and Penn State Nittany Lions, amongst others:

This weekend saw Florida State throw pads on for the first time this spring, as the building blocks for the 2024 season continue to be laid throughout camp.

Jordan Silversmith, as he has and will all spring, has more:

FSU continues its work to flip 4-star DL Jalen Wiggins from rival Florida

The recruit that had the shortest drive to Florida State’s campus for their Legacy Weekend event was Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards four-star defensive lineman Jalen Wiggins. The Tallahassee native lives just minutes away from campus and made the short trek over to spend his Saturday with the Seminoles.

“The visit went great today,” Wiggins said. “Loved practice, getting to see some of the old players. Getting to see the presentation also with the bricks and everything. Just a great day.”

This weekend’s trip to FSU was unique in that Wiggins got a chance to interact with several former FSU football players. He spoke to two star Seminole defensive lineman in particular.

“Definitely. I got to talk to [Braden] Fiske during practice today,” he said. “It was great. Got to talk to him, getting some pointers in — especially during pass rush. Different types of techniques you can use for different types of pass rushes. I got to talk [Jared] Verse after the little ceremony up there with the dinner. It was great getting to talk to him as well. Just choosing where home is — just based on communication, family and everything like that.”

Wiggins’s main relationship at FSU is with defensive ends coach John Papuchis. Papuchis, along with several other staffers, have the ‘Noles as a primary threat to flip Wiggins from the Gators.

“I always see FSU, ever since where I started in my recruitment, FSU has always been there for me,” Wiggins said. “Somewhere that’s always been watching me. Coach [Mike] Norvell has been saying that as well. He always wants me to come back and learn something.”

He’ll return to FSU’s campus for an official visit from June 21-23. His only other planned visit for the spring is a return to Florida on April 13 for their spring game.

ZB’s Take:

This is all about FSU combatting the idea that Wiggins wants to leave the city of Tallahassee for college. A unique touch to this visit was that new FSU staffer and former ‘Nole great Ernie Sims spoke to Wiggins about how he grew up in Tallahassee and starred for the Seminoles. That seemed to go over well with Wiggins — who spoke about it briefly after the visit.

The ‘Noles will get his final official visit of the summer — which is usually a positive sign. This is a recruitment that will go all the way until signing day — but it seems FSU is making steps in the right direction.

Take a look at Florida State’s 2025 recruiting class | 2026 recruiting class

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State football coach Mike Norvell understands the buzz around his Seminoles’ transfer portal pickups.

“There’s plenty of people that have taken more transfers,” Norvell said. “People point to ours because ours are good.”

Or, in the case of Jared Verse, Jermaine Johnson and Keon Coleman, better than good.

This cycle’s top-five portal class has high-end potential, too, beyond former five-star quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. But don’t let the newcomers’ novelty take the focus away from FSU’s core. The ‘Noles built two-thirds of their roster the old-fashioned way, through high school recruiting. Their playoff hopes, then, hinge on the development of veterans as much as the influx of transfers.

The Pinellas Park High alumnus has started 15 games and totaled more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Add his MVP performance in the ACC championship, and he has already had a successful career.

But the loss of Trey Benson to the NFL means more available touches for Toafili, whom running backs coach David Johnson calls “one of the most unselfish players I’ve ever coached.” Toafili’s receiving skills (67 catches) are sharp, but Johnson sees room for him to grow with his vision.

“LT is doing a good job getting the other guys ready, getting the other guys willing to work and understand the standard that we have in that room …” Johnson said. “I just think he’s going to have a big year.”

Injuries limited Norvell’s top signee to eight games, five catches and one touchdown. FSU didn’t need him to do much more than that given the presence of Coleman and Johnny Wilson. With both gone, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams will have plenty of opportunities in a faster receiving corps that should stretch the field vertically.

Receivers coach Ron Dugans said Williams has already been preparing through more consistent training.

“Now he’s got to carry it over to the field,” Dugans said.

Verse’s status as a future first-round pick overshadowed Payton, who looks like FSU’s next great pass rusher. He recorded seven sacks with a team-high 14½ tackles for loss, and his 10 pass breakups were the most by an ACC defensive lineman in seven years. Since then, Payton has added almost 15 pounds to a frame that’s listed as 6-foot-5, 254 pounds.

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s expectations for Payton: “To be a dominant defensive end for every play that he’s out there.”

Like Payton, Farmer was a starter who was overshadowed by an All-America candidate at his position (defensive lineman Braden Fiske). That’s not the only reason why coaches usually mention Payton and Farmer in the same sentence.

The 6-foot-3, 318-pound Farmer was the defense’s most improved player last year and earned second-team all-ACC honors. But there’s another level for Farmer. If he and Payton can progress together, then FSU’s front should again terrorize offenses.

The Seminoles lost 76 career starts with the exits of linebackers Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune. They almost lost Lundy’s 17, too, but he left the portal (after committing to Colorado) to stay at FSU. Lundy has appeared in 45 of FSU’s 48 games since his arrival, so his returning production is crucial.

“He’s played so much football here,” Norvell said. “I think he can really take another step to being a really special player here at Florida State.”