Greg McElroy identifies Florida State's biggest needs in transfer portal

Recent years under Mike Norvell‘s leadership has seen Florida State hit the NCAA transfer portal early and often. Another opportunity is here with the spring window open. And with a major bounce back needed during the 2025 season, the Seminoles have a few areas needing improvement.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy highlighted a couple of them, beginning with the wide receiver room. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos was a major get during the winter window, snagging him away from Boston College. Getting him another weapon is at the top of McElroy’s mind.

“I look at some areas where they could drastically improve and I think wide receiver is that position when looking at them this season,” McElroy said. “… I think adding one would be valuable when looking at the receiver room, it would be really solid if they could find a piece that makes them better.”

McElroy did go on to mention how due to the offense Gus Malzhan runs, finding a true impact guy may not be the biggest priority. Florida State is going to want to run the ball, even with Castellanos. It’s the system Malzhan has run for years now and had high-level of success with at Auburn.

But the ball is going to be aired out at some point. McElroy suggests finding extra depth, at the very least, or somebody who can give the wide receiver room a little bump.

Speaking of depth, he then highlighted the big need of finding another defensive back. Florida State appears to be thin in the secondary before current FSU guys even had the opportunity to jump in the portal themselves.

“It’s kind of a lack of numbers,” McElroy said. “You had some injuries in the spring at the position. I think they would look at the defensive back room, as a whole, regardless of safety, nickel, slot corner, outside corner — however you want to look at it. I think it would be very, very beneficial if they could add some quality in the back-end of their defense.”

Finding some kind of balance between the 2023 and 2024 records is likely the goal in Tallahassee. Norvell will shore up the roster with one final transfer portal opening before turning his full attention to the upcoming season.

Alabama is first up on the schedule, coming to Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 30. There would be no better way to get rid of last year’s demons than taking down the Crimson Tide.