TALLAHASSEE — Florida State football coach Mike Norvell understands the buzz surrounding his Seminoles transfer portal pickup.
“There are a lot more people who have transferred,” Norvell said. “People point to our stuff because our stuff is better.”
Or better than good, in the case of Jared Vers, Jermaine Johnson, and Keon Coleman.
This cycle's top-five portal class also has high-end potential beyond former five-star quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. But don't let the novelty of the newcomers take focus away from FSU's core. The Noles built his two-thirds of the roster the old-fashioned way, through high school recruiting. So any hopes of making the playoffs will depend as much on veteran development as on mass transfers.
Here are five traditional key new hires expected to take on big roles this spring and fall.
Laurence Toafili
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PWW5QOLBS3IZZD4JTQQBBODVE4.jpg "Laurence Toafili gained over 2,000 yards from scrimmage during his FSU football career.")
Four-star new employee 2020 graduate
The Pinellas Park High School graduate started 15 games and totaled more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Add in his MVP performance at the ACC Championship and he's already had a successful career.
But the loss of Trey Benson to the NFL means more touches for Toafili, who running backs coach David Johnson calls “one of the most unselfish players I've ever coached.” It means to become. Toafili's receiving skills (67 catches) are sharp, but Johnson thinks his vision has room to grow.
“LT does a good job of getting the other players ready and making sure the other players are willing to work and understand the standards in that room…,” Johnson said. “I think he’s going to have a great year.”
Hykeem Williams
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CZZAPLOWS7E6BXJSKONO4SWX2M.jpg "Florida State's Hykeem Williams had a 44-yard touchdown catch against Syracuse.")
Five-star new employee, graduating in 2023
Norvell's top signee was limited to eight games, five catches and one touchdown due to injury. Given the presence of Coleman and Johnny Wilson, FSU didn't need to do much more with him. Now that both are gone, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams will get more opportunities among a faster receiving corps that should stretch the field vertically.
Receivers coach Ron Dugans said Williams is already preparing through more consistent training.
“Now he has to carry that over to the field,” Dugans said.
patrick payton
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LXZVB42HSRCWERUPQ63L4HPKOM.jpg "Seminoles' Patrick Payton showed potential for the NFL draft at FSU.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3KMXMNZYE5ATTCL2AYP224QPHU.png "Stay up to date on the Tampa Bay sports scene")
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Four-star recruits, graduating in 2021
Barth's status as a future first-round pick has been overshadowed by Payton, who appears to be FSU's next great pass rusher. He had seven sacks and a team-high 14 1/2 tackles, 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 his frame, which is listed as 6-foot-5, 254 pounds.
Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller has expectations for Payton: “To be a dominant defensive end on every play he makes.”
joshua farmer
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YTQUVDPQHMBENB5SG74RRDRQ3A.jpg "Joshua Farmer has shown glimpses of a dominant player throughout his three seasons at FSU.")
Three-star recruitment 2021 graduates
Like Payton, Farmer was a starter, but was overshadowed by an All-American candidate at his position (defensive lineman Braden Fisk). That's not the only reason coaches mention Payton and Farmer in the same sentence.
The 6-foot-3, 318-pound Farmer was the most improved player on the defense last year, earning second-team All-ACC honors. But there's another level to being a farmer. If he and Payton can move forward together, FSU's front office should once again terrorize the offensive line.
DJ Randy
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FQ2DW3PA53WJPJ43DRXV6BU64E.jpg "DJ Lundy scored three offensive touchdowns while playing linebacker for Florida State.")
Three-star recruitment 2020 graduate
The Seminoles lost 76 career starts with the departures of linebackers Karen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune. They almost lost No. 17 in Randy as well, but he left the portal to remain at FSU (after deciding to transfer to Colorado). Lundy has appeared in 45 of FSU's 48 games since joining, so his return is significant.
“He's played a lot of football here,” Norvell said. “I think he can take another step towards being a really special player here at Florida State.”
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