Let’s be honest, trying to pin down the fsu depth chart 2025 right now feels a bit like trying to catch a greased pig in a hurricane. After that rollercoaster of a 5-7 season, Mike Norvell didn't just tweak the roster—he basically took a sledgehammer to it. You've got fans arguing in the message boards about whether the portal additions are enough to fix the defensive line, while others are still reeling from the fact that we're actually seeing a senior-heavy offensive line for the first time in what feels like a decade.
Basically, if you’re looking at the same names from the early August projections, you’re already behind. The transfer portal window that closed on January 16, 2026, changed everything. We've seen some big-time departures, like Brock Glenn heading to Western Kentucky and Gavin Sawchuk landing at Liberty, which completely shifts how the backfield and the QB room look heading into spring ball.
The Quarterback Room: It's Tommy's World (For Now)
Everyone wants to talk about the signal caller. Honestly, the biggest shock of the 2025 season wasn't just that Tommy Castellanos started every game; it was how much he carried the offense on his back. He threw for over 2,700 yards and led the team in rushing. That’s wild for a FSU quarterback.
Heading into 2026, Castellanos is the undisputed QB1. But the depth chart behind him is where it gets interesting. With Glenn gone, the backup spot is a toss-up between the veteran transfer Dean DeNobile from Lafayette and the kid everyone is excited about: Kevin Sperry. DeNobile brings that "coach on the field" vibe with 20 touchdowns and only 5 picks last year, but Sperry is the future. If Tommy takes a hard hit, do you go with the safe hands of the transfer or let the freshman phenom loose? Most folks think Norvell leans on the veteran early, but don't be surprised if Sperry pushes for that QB2 spot by April.
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Shuffling the Deck: The Offensive Line Consistency
If there is one thing that actually went right in 2025, it was the O-line. It’s kinda rare to see the same five guys start almost every game together. We’re talking about Gunnar Hansen at left tackle, Luke Petitbon at center, and Adrian Medley at right guard. These guys started every single game. That kind of chemistry is gold.
- LT: Gunnar Hansen (RS Sr.) / Lucas Simmons (RS So.)
- LG: Richie Leonard IV (RS Sr.) / Jacob Rizy (RS Sr.)
- C: Luke Petitbon (RS Sr.) / Chavez Thompson (Fr.)
- RG: Adrian Medley (RS Sr.) / Jacob Rizy (RS Sr.)
- RT: Micah Pettus (RS Sr.) / Jonathan Daniels (RS Fr.)
You've basically got a wall of redshirt seniors. That's a lot of grown-man strength. The concern is what happens when these guys graduate, but for the immediate fsu depth chart 2025 transition into 2026, this is the strongest unit on the team. Richie Leonard IV and Micah Pettus are anchors. If they stay healthy, the run game—which took a hit with Sawchuk leaving—should still find lanes.
The Playmakers: Duce Robinson and the New Breed
Losing Lawayne McCoy to Louisville stung. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. But Duce Robinson is the real deal. He led the room last year and he’s going to be the focal point again. The "hidden" gem here might be Micahi Danzy. He started eight games as a redshirt freshman and showed flashes of that elite speed that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Then you have the true freshmen who are already making waves. Jayvan Boggs and Teriq Mallory aren't just here to sit on the bench. Mallory was already pushing for backup reps by the end of the 2025 season. In the slot, keep an eye on Squirrel White. He had a rough, injury-plagued year, but if he’s 100%, he adds a vertical threat that opens up everything for the tight ends. Speaking of tight ends, Randy Pittman Jr. is the guy when healthy, but Landen Thomas is the athletic freak that Norvell loves to use in creative sets.
Defense: Fixing the Front Four
This is where the 2-6 conference record really showed its teeth. The defense was... let's just say "inconsistent." The biggest question marks on the fsu depth chart 2025 were along the edge. Moving Amaree Williams to defensive end was a bold move, and it sort of worked, but the Noles needed more bulk.
The addition of Jordan Sanders from the portal is massive. He’s a guy who played every game for Texas State and brings a physical presence they lacked. On the interior, Darrell Jackson Jr. is the mountain in the middle. He’s 337 pounds of "you're not running here."
The Linebacker Rotation
- MIKE: Elijah Herring (Sr.)
- WILL: Justin Cryer (Jr.) / Blake Nichelson (Jr.)
- JACK: Omar Graham Jr. (RS Jr.) / Mikai Gbayor (RS Sr.)
Elijah Herring really solidified himself as the leader of the defense. He’s a thumper. But the secondary is where the real turnover happened. Earl Little Jr. heading back to Ohio State left a crater at the Rover spot. Now, you’re looking at Ashlynd Barker or maybe even a guy like Shyheim Brown shifting roles to cover that space. Jerry Wilson and Ja’Bril Rawls are your corners, but they’re going to be tested every single week in the ACC.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Season
People look at the 5-7 record and assume the team was a disaster. Honestly, they lost four games by a combined 18 points. A play here, a catch there, and we’re talking about an 8 or 9-win team. The "depth chart" wasn't the problem as much as the "depth" itself was. When Pittman or Squirrel White went down, the production fell off a cliff.
The 2026 outlook is all about whether the young guys like Ousmane Kromah at running back or Kevin Wynn on the defensive line can take that "sophomore leap." Kromah is a beast—6'1", 218 pounds as a freshman. He's got that "don't want to tackle him in the fourth quarter" look.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking the Seminoles' progress, don't just look at the starters. Look at the "OR" designations on the official releases. Mike Norvell loves his "co-starters," and it usually tells you who he’s trying to light a fire under.
- Watch the Spring Game: Pay attention to the second-team offensive line. If Jacob Rizy or Andre Otto look like they can play multiple spots, the Noles are in good shape.
- The Kicker Battle: Losing Jake Weinberg to the portal would have been a disaster, but FSU managed to sign Conor McAneney and Gabe Panikowski. This is a wide-open battle that could decide three games next year.
- The "JACK" Position: This hybrid role is the heart of the defense. If Omar Graham Jr. can stay healthy and provide a consistent pass rush, it takes the pressure off a young secondary.
The roster is talented, but it's young in the places where it matters most (skill positions) and old where it needs to be (the lines). That’s a recipe for a bounce-back year if Castellanos can limit the turnovers. Keep an eye on the post-spring portal window; Norvell usually has one more trick up his sleeve for a veteran defensive back or a rotational defensive tackle.