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Patrick Payton, DJ Uiagalelei, potential NFL prospects for 2025 NFL Draft
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- Patrick Payton, DJ Uiagalelei, potential NFL prospects for 2025 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is done, and draft experts are already looking toward the 2025 class.
Florida State returned to the national scene during the three-day draft last weekend as 10 former players were selected, one shy of the school record.
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The 10 selections matched the mark from 1995 and trailed only the ACC-record 11 picks in 2013 and 2015 NFL Drafts.
The Seminoles displayed their balance with five offensive players and five defensive players selected.
Defensive end Jared Verse led the charge as he was picked by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round at No. 19 overall.
Draft pundits expect the Seminoles to carry that momentum into next year's draft.
Here are current FSU players who could hear their name called in the 2025 NFL Draft.
FSU edge rusher Patrick Payton's , redshirt junior
Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Patrick Payton (11) and Florida State Seminoles linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) celebrate an incomplete pass for Duke. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Duke Blue Devils 38-20 on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
The 6-foot-5, 254-pound edge rusher broke out in the 2022 season, when he was named All-ACC Rookie of the Year.
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He recorded 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, three pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry.
Last season, he started all 14 games, producing 44 tackles,14.5 for loss, seven sacks, 10 pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He was named All-ACC Honorable Mentioned.
FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei , redshirt senior
Uiagalelei has the skillset and physical traits to be an NFL prototype quarterback.
What is missing is his level of production. In his three years playing at Clemson and one year at Oregon State, he has yet to throw for over 3,000 yards and struggled with consistency. One strong season at FSU and maybe a run in the College Football Playoffs could raise his draft stocks.
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FSU safety Shyheim Brown, redshirt senior
Brown has size and range. In his 14 starts, the All-ACC safety was one of the Seminoles' playmakers on the back end and was utilized in multiple ways that could intrigue NFL scouts. Last season, he recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.
FSU cornerback Azareye'h Thomas, junior
Louisville’s Jamari Thrash caught the pass for the first down against FSU’s Azareye’h Thomas in the AAC Football Championship game. Dec. 2, 2023
Thomas brings physicality and aggression as a lengthy corner. While he only had one start last year, he was highly involved on defense. He recorded 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups. Thomas had a good spring and is looking to take over the starting role after the loss of Renardo Green and Jarrian Jones .
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FSU defensive tackle Joshua Farmer , redshirt junior
Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (44) sacks Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman (10).The Florida State Seminoles lost to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 31-21 Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
Farmer is a disrupter on the interior line and was FSU's most-improved player last season. The Gadsden County product recorded 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. With a physical form, the All-ACC player could be one of the top d-tackles to watch next year.
FSU wide receiver Malik Benson , senior
Florida State football wide receiver Malik Benson takes part in the final Tour of Duty winter workouts ahead of 2024 spring practices on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Benson has shown promise after transferring from Alabama. He has proven enough to be FSU's go-to target for the 2024 season. With his size at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, he can make plays on one-on-one coverages and win the 50-50 balls. As he enters his senior year, he now needs production to match his skill set.
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FSU linebacker DJ Lundy , redshirt senior
Florida State football players arrive for an FSU spring football practice of the 2023 season on Friday, March 10, 2023.
Lundy is a three-year starter and one of FSU's best tacklers against the run. Pro Football Focus graded the redshirt senior a 90.9 run grade, which is ranked third among linebackers. Last season, Lundy made All-ACC Honorable Mentioned after producing 54 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. Traditional inside linebackers may not be a trending position at the next level, but another productivity on FSU's defense could give Lundy NFL looks.
FSU cornerback Fentrell Cypress II , redshirt senior
Florida Gators place kicker Trey Smack (29) reacts to a missed field goal in the final seconds of the first half as Florida State Seminoles defensive back Fentrell Cypress II (23) signals a miss at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Cypress showed a strong performance after transferring from Virginia. The redshirt senior produced 40 tackles, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season. He made All-ACC Honorable Mentioned. His instincts in coverages match his athleticism that could fit in any NFL system.
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FSU running back Lawrence Toafili
Florida State's Lawrence Toafili races into the end zone for a touchdown against Louisville. Sept. 16, 2022
Toafili may not be a 1,000-yard rusher, but he is efficient in the passing game. In his career, he has 690 receiving yards and 1,436 rushing yards. He also has 16 total touchdowns. Toafili could get more touches in the backfield and his versatility could intrigue NFL scouts.
More: Jared Verse, Braden Fiske reunited in Los Angeles; FSU players playing in NFC West | Nolebook
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU edge rusher Patrick Payton, future first rounder; other NFL prospects
