Florida State football is looking strong as the 45-day transfer portal closes.
While players can still choose their destination, the window, which opened on Dec. 5 and closed Wednesday, is now closed for new entrants into the portal.
Another window will open from May 1-15 for players to enter again.
The Seminoles enter the closing of the portal with the No. 1 transfer recruiting class, according to 247Sports, with the addition of nine college transfers.
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The transfer portal additions are going to play a key role for FSU, which is coming off a Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma and its first 10-win season since 2016. Florida State is an early preseason contender for the College Football Playoff.
Cornerback Fentrell Cypress II is the crown jewel for the Seminole class, ranking as the No. 4 overall prospect and the No. 2 cornerback prospect.
On the offensive side of the ball, tight end Jaheim Bell is the best tight end in the portal, the No. 8 overall prospect and the No. 2 pass catcher.
Here's a look at the transfers that the Seminoles have added and how they can impact the roster this season and in the future.
Rated as the No. 6 player on Pro Football Focus' Top 25 players in the transfer portal, Cypress posted a 87.8 overall grade, which ranked the third highest among Power Five cornerbacks.
The junior limited opponents to 0.53 yards per coverage snap, which was the fifth-lowest mark among Power Five corners.
He should step into a starting role immediately and be the top corner for the Seminoles next season.
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The 6-foot-3, 231-pound tight end will step into a major role next season with starter Cam McDonald exhausting his eligibility. Bell's 88.8 PFF receiving grade only trails Georgia's Brock Bowers among Power Five tight ends in the past two seasons.
PFF has Bell as the eighth-best player in the transfer portal. But he is more than just a tight end, as he rushed for 257 yards this past season. He forced 24 missed tackles, the most among tight ends.
It will be interesting to see how head coach Mike Norvell gets creative with yet another weapon for him to utilize in multiple ways.
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The No. 1 defensive lineman and No. 14 overall player in this transfer cycle, per 247Sports, is another player who should make an immediate impact for the Seminoles.
Fiske recorded 148 tackles, including 27.5 for a loss, totaling 100 quarterback pressures and 13.5 sacks in his 45 games for Western Michigan.
Listed at 6-5 and 300 pounds, Fiske should be in the defensive tackle rotation early on and make an impact for a defensive line that lost some key pieces.
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The 6-6, 290-pound lineman is expected to come in and compete for a starting job on the offensive line, which lost pieces like Dillan Gibbons and Jazston Turnetine to graduation.
Byers brings two years of starting experience to Tallahassee. He posted a 79.4 overall PFF grade during the 2022 season, including a 79.3 run-blocking grade.
His athleticism fits well on an FSU roster that will create holes for playmakers. He is rated the No. 29 player in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.
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The No. 44 overall transfer portal player feels like a luxury for the Seminoles, who have plenty of depth on the defensive line.
The 6-5 pass rusher had 39 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two sacks last season in 12 games (10) starts for South Carolina.
Edmond becomes the fifth South Carolina player the Seminoles have added in the last couple of seasons, joining safety Jammie Robinson (2021), defensive end Keir Thomas (2021), offensive tackle Turnetine (2022) and tight end Bell (2023).
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The 6-7 tight end is another red zone threat and will give opponents jitters when he's in the lineup with fellow 6-7 receiver Johnny Wilson.
The No. 55 portal recruit caught 57 passes for 890 yards and 11 touchdowns in 24 games across three seasons for Shorter University and chose FSU despite an earlier commitment from Bell.
Morlock showed strong blocking ability playing in Division II, but it'll be interesting to see how it translates as he moves up to FBS.
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The 6-6, 300-pound lineman will return closer to home following stops at Maryland and Miami. The former Gadsden County High standout totaled 27 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, and three sacks this past season for the Hurricanes.
He led all Miami DTs with 414 snaps and recorded a PFF tackling grade of 82.9, something the Seminoles struggled with at times last season against the better offenses.
Because he already transferred from one program to another, the 108th-ranked transfer recruit is required to sit out the 2023 season unless he is granted an NCAA waiver.
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The 279th-ranked transfer product, according to 247 Sports, was a backup at right guard this past season, making starts against Penn State and Alabama.
He likely serves as a depth piece for the Seminoles in 2023 but could have a chance to compete for one of the vacant spots on the offensive line.
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The sixth-year graduate transfer will have a chance to compete for a starting job, but like Jones, he could also be a versatile piece the Seminoles move around for depth purposes.
Roddick brings valuable experience, playing 42 games with 30 starts. He tallied a combined 1,946 offensive snaps in the last four seasons, including a team-high 707 offensive snaps in 2022 for Colorado.
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: How will transfer portal signees contribute to FSU football?
