As Florida State heads into the back half of the 2026 season, the Seminoles will need reinforcements on both sides of the ball due to injuries and inconsistencies.
There may be no team in the country with more week-to-week swings than the Seminoles. In the three games FSU played before the bye, the Seminoles posted a -1 point differential thanks to a 31-point win, a 24-point defeat and an 8-point double-overtime heartbreaker.
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Even with seven games played, it is almost impossible to predict how Florida State will finish the season. Bowl eligibility seems within reach with games against Boston College, Pitt with a backup quarterback and NC State at home. But, of course, who knows with this team?
For the Seminoles to build consistency and look to the future, here are three homegrown players who should see more time on the field in the second half of the season.
DT Kevin Wynn
Wynn transformed his body between his freshman and sophomore seasons, losing over 20 pounds to stay on the field. After playing sparingly at the start of the season, defensive coordinator Tony White doubled Wynn's snap count from 14 to 28 against Virginia, earning average PFF grades. Since then, the Georgia native played 47 snaps against Louisville, a career high, while receiving a 68.4 run defense grade, according to PFF. Wynn also played over 30 snaps against Miami as he carved out a larger role along the defensive interior.
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Even with the increase in snap count, it is not enough for Wynn. Florida State's run defense is objectively bad, ranked 108th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game and 130th in total defense. While defense is more than just overpowering the opponent and being physically dominant, Wynn is the only player on this defensive depth chart who looks the way he does. His 317-pound frame clogs rushing lanes and makes it easier for linebackers to access the backfield. As games have gone on, defensive tackle tweeners like Daniel Lyons and Mandrell Desir have worn out in the second half from the punishment they take inside. As Wynn grows into his body, he will help stop the second-half slides which have become quite common for this team.
Looking ahead to the offseason, a strong final five games for Wynn will make him one of the biggest priority retentions for whoever runs the front office, giving FSU an anchor for its defense in 2027.
DB Charles Lester III
The run defense may be bad, but the passing defense is even worse. The Seminoles rank 125th in the country in passing yards allowed and 112th in pass-defense efficiency.
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Almost everyone in the secondary, except Ashlynd Barker, has underperformed and fallen short of expectations during the 2026 season. Starting cornerbacks Quindarrius Jones and Ja'Bril Rawls have struggled to hold up in 1-on-1 coverage this season. Transfer cornerback Nehemiah Chandler has seen his snap count drop since the start of the season and has earned just one PFF coverage grade which ranks as above average. Ma'Khi Jones also lacks consistency and was lit up by Louisville and Miami.
With veterans and transfers not doing their part, White should turn to younger players and see what they have, with Lester at the top of the list.
The former five-star's tenure in Tallahassee has started rocky. But as the season has progressed, his playing time has slowly increased. That doesn't mean everything he put on tape warrants more snaps, though, as PFF says Lester, like the rest of the defense, didn't grade out well against Miami. But with the bye week here and a chance for Lester to get healthy, he should see more run than the transfers.
Like Wynn, few in the FSU secondary possess his physical traits. And as Lester plays more, he will grow more confident in his ability to use his frame. The Seminoles also need to develop young defensive backs, with Jones and Rawls most likely to move on at the end of the season, increasing the need to see whether Lester can be a starting cornerback in 2027.
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TE Landen Thomas
Maybe what happened at the end of the 2024 season should not reflect Thomas' current potential, but there seems to be more than meets the eye.
The junior is an incredibly mobile 6-foot-4, 234-pound player and should present more matchup nightmares for opposing defenses than he does. He has seen over 30 snaps a game this season, and PFF grades his run blocking higher than transfer tight end Desirrio Riles.
Still, that has not translated into production, with Thomas stuck at only four catches on the season and one touchdown.
However, with Ousmane Kromah out for the year, the rest of the offensive skill players, even though Thomas is not a running back, will need to generate big plays. Luckily for Florida State, they are an explosive passing offense, in the top 10 nationally in yards per completion at over 15 yards per pass. With Duce Robinson on the outside and the speed threat of Micahi Danzy, Thomas should see more action over the middle as FSU is forced to throw more.
Mike Norvell loves running 12 personnel, and in order to find ways to create mismatches on offense without Kromah on the field, he should lean into it with his duo of Thomas and Riles.
