The annual offseason ritual of ranking Florida State's most crucial players is upon us, and it's a fascinating exercise in anticipation and analysis. This year, the focus is on the 2026 season, and the question on everyone's mind is: who will step up and become the driving force behind the Seminoles' success? Let's dive into the top 11 players who could shape the team's destiny, with a healthy dose of personal commentary and insight.
11. OL Chimdia Nwaiwu
Chimdia Nwaiwu's journey from FCS to the SEC is a testament to his potential. Starting at Stephen F. Austin, he's now in the spotlight at FSU, where the staff is high on his upside. The question is, will he start at right tackle? If he does, it could be a game-changer, allowing Nate Pabst to move to guard, where he's likely more effective. This move would be a bold experiment, with extreme possible outcomes, given Nwaiwu's lack of overall experience and the ascension of multiple levels. Personally, I think this is a high-risk, high-reward situation. If it works, it could be a major boost to the offensive line. But if it doesn't, it could be a setback. Either way, it's an exciting prospect that could define the season.
10. OL Nate Pabst
Nate Pabst is a veteran transfer with substantial experience starting at both guard and tackle spots. His journey from Bowling Green to FSU is a story of resilience and improvement. While he's making a leap in competition, his year-over-year progress in the MAC is impressive. The options at right tackle are slim, and Pabst is one of maybe 2-3 viable options. This makes him an extremely important part of the puzzle. He'll start somewhere for FSU this season, and his versatility and experience could be a stabilizing force for the offensive line.
9. S Ma'Khi Jones
Ma'Khi Jones' ascension at Duke is a tale of maturity and work ethic. He'll step into a starting role as FSU's field safety/nickel defender, a position of high leverage. This is valuable in and of itself, as FSU doesn't have a ton of viable options here after Jones. His ability to step up and take on a leadership role is crucial, especially for a group that lacked guidance last season. In my opinion, Jones is a key piece in elevating consistency and a potential game-changer for the defense.
8. RB Quintrevion Wisner
FSU's splurge in the transfer market for Quintrevion Wisner was a smart move. The Texas transfer has over 2,000 yards of total offense combined over the last two seasons and is expected to bring stability to a rushing attack that lacked a consistent presence for much of last season. Wisner isn't flashy, but he's quick and had good vision as an outside-zone specialist. His reliability out of the backfield should be a focal point of the passing game when Duce Robinson isn't eating up targets outside. From my perspective, Wisner is a proven commodity who can make a significant impact on the ground and through the air.
7. WR Micahi Danzy
Micahi Danzy's talent is undeniable, but his importance to the team is a matter of perspective. While he won't be the primary WR1, his speed and versatility will unlock major spacing advantages for FSU. The fact that FSU has a WR1 in Duce Robinson and will likely be a run-first offense means Danzy's volume could be limited. However, the redshirt sophomore is still expected to be a factor, having broken out last year with 571 receiving yards, 216 rushing yards, and 6 total touchdowns. A new offense that relies less on the jet-motion game could create some hesitancy on what Danzy can do from a pure numbers standpoint in 2026. But if he takes another jump as a pure receiver, he could be a game-changer.
6. OL Bradyn Joiner
Bradyn Joiner's transfer from Purdue and Auburn adds value to the offensive line. Starting at center and guard, he brings versatility and a replacement-level PFF Grade of 63.6. The fact that he can play either center or guard allows FSU to play with different combinations up front. This is a significant advantage, as a quality center can be hard to find. In my opinion, Joiner's ability to adapt and contribute in multiple positions makes him an essential piece of the puzzle.
5. DB Nehemiah Chandler
Nehemiah Chandler's return to the Panhandle is a fascinating development. Transferring from South Alabama, he has a good chance to start opposite of Ja'Bril Rawls. However, there are elements of his game that need to be cleaned up. PFF tabbed Chandler with giving up 6 touchdown passes and a poor Run Defense Grade of 47.0. The variance in his performance is extreme, but his potential is undeniable. Personally, I think Chandler has the makings of a solid starting cornerback, but he'll need to improve his consistency and reduce the variance in his game.
4. TE Desirrio Riles
Desirrio Riles' transfer from ECU adds a new dimension to FSU's offense. He'll likely step into FSU's role as TE1 and should be the top target getter at the position. Riles moves at a good clip and will have the ability to create stress on defenses down the seam while adding YAC value on screens. However, his blocking will have to get significantly better for him to stay on the field consistently. His Run Block Grade last year was 50.9, which is a concern. But if he can improve his blocking, Riles could be a game-changer for the offense.
3. DL Deante McCray
Deante McCray is a stable presence on the defensive line, offering versatility and high-end run-stopping ability. His 76.1 PFF Run Defense Grade is impressive, and he put together a strong spring camp. While he's not flashy, there's nothing wrong with that when the baseline of stability is so high. McCray's ability to line up in different positions and his high floor make him an easy Top 20 player on a team devoid of many proven commodities on defense. In my opinion, he's a reliable and consistent force who can anchor the defensive line.
2. WR Jayvan Boggs
Jayvan Boggs' hype this past offseason was well-deserved, but the sources preaching patience were right. He did enough to enter the regular season as a starter, but his production was underwhelming (9-103-1) due to lingering injuries. Now, entering Year 2, the expectation is again for Boggs to start. With Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy as the likely 1-2 punch, Boggs should start and be a solid WR3 with some developmental upside. If he can stay healthy, he could be a game-changer for the offense.
1. S Ja'Bril Rawls
Ja'Bril Rawls is the anchor of FSU's defense, a position of high leverage and responsibility. His ability to step up and take on a leadership role is crucial, especially for a group that lacked guidance last season. Rawls' maturity and work ethic have earned him praise from coaches, and his consistency is a significant boost to the team. In my opinion, he's the heart and soul of the defense, and his impact will be felt throughout the season.
