5 best players that have transferred from the Noles during the Norvell era
Florida State football has had the luxury of obtaining transfer portal prospects during head football coach Mike Norvell’s tenure with the Seminoles. The program has welcomed in several newcomers in hopes of generating sustainable success.
The squad had a successful 2023 campaign, including an undefeated regular season and conference championship. However, the achievement was discredited due to the fact that the College Football Playoff excluded them from having an opportunity to compete for a national championship.
The biggest factor of the 2024 season will be having the coaching staff gel the roster together. Seminole fans will have to get to know the players on the roster since there won’t be veterans such as quarterback Jordan Travis suited up in the garnet and gold anymore.
We at ChopChat have discussed the transfers that the Seminoles have brought into the program. However, in this article, I want to break down the top five transfers that Florida State has lost over the past couple of years.
Disclaimer: This is not an indication that fans should be worried. Florida State has a good hit rate of keeping most of the guys that they want to keep.
RB LA’DAMIAN WEBB
Florida State did not have much success during the 2020 season where it recorded a 3-6 record during Mike Norvell’s first campaign. There were not many positives to point to.
However, running back La’Damian Webb had success in Tallahassee. Webb was not discussed as much since he arrived at Florida State from the JUCO ranks. The running back accumulated 69 carries for 369 yards and three touchdowns.
The foundation of head football coach Mike Norvell’s offensive scheme is the ability to run the football effectively. He has had successful running backs that have been productive during his time with Memphis.
Even though Florida State had Jashaun Corbin and Trey Benson run wild in Tallahassee after Webb departed the program and went to South Alabama. In two seasons with the Jaguars, he had 2,074 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. He certainly benefitted from leaving Florida State.
OT BLESS HARRIS
Florida State offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins has done a tremendous job with transforming the offensive line position group into something special. However, the Seminoles have had to rely upon the likes of transfers instead of recruits.
Offensive tackle Bless Harris was someone that Florida State brought in via the transfer portal from Lamar University. Seminole fans did not know what to expect given the college that he previously went to.
Harris struggled with injuries during his time with Florida State. However, when he was healthy, he was a serviceable veteran offensive tackle that the coaching staff could rely on.
He decided to transfer to TCU this offseason instead of sticking it out with Florida State. This stings a bit for the Seminoles’ offensive tackle depth as senior Robert Scott Jr. is once again struggling to stay healthy as he missed the entire spring.
This is forcing Darius Washington and Jeremiah Byers to be the starting offensive tackles while also having to rely upon inexperienced options if Scott Jr. misses any time.
WR VANDREVIUS JACOBS
Florida State is going into the 2024 season where they are having to replace the likes of Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, who are now heading to the NFL. The Seminoles know that they have big shoes to fill as they look to the page in a new era.
Wide receivers coach Ron Dugans has done a sensational job in replacing the talent with pieces who can make contributions such as Malik Benson (Alabama), Jalen Brown (LSU), Camdon Frier, BJ Gibson, Lawayne McCoy, and Elijah Moore.
It is also worth mentioning that the program previously added talented pieces such as Destyn Hill (who will miss the entire 2024 season with an injury, per Norvell), Hykeem Williams, Kentron Poitier, Darion Williamson, and JaKhi Douglas.
One prospect that I feel had potential but never panned out was wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs. The former four-star prospect had an impressive offseason during his true freshman year where various media members thought that Jacobs would be a factor in 2023. However, that did not go the way that most individuals expected as he did not contribute in a meaningful way.
Jacobs elected to transfer to South Carolina in hopes of gaining an expanded role which hurts the Seminoles’ wide receiver position unit as the former Vero Beach High School standout was a talented player.
CB JARVIS BROWNLEE JR.
Florida State fans gave everything that former defensive back Jarrian Jones could handle on social media. Trust me, Jones heard what you said on Twitter. If you haven’t checked out the press conference of the former Mississippi State discussing the hardship, I suggest that you should.
Anyways, he battled adversity and stuck with the Seminoles after transferring into the program after the 2021 season where he suffered numerous injuries and couldn’t stay consistent. During his senior season, he proved the doubters wrong when he led the team in interceptions (3) and became a defender that offensive coordinators avoided. He was later selected by the Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That is enough discussion about Jones. However, former defensive back Jarvis Brownlee Jr. went through a similar experience at Florida State where he was heavily criticized for his play. I don’t condone putting down young athletes on social media.
Most individuals did not like the fact of how Brownlee Jr. conducted himself especially when he allowed the game-winning touchdown in the historic loss to FCS opponent Jacksonville State.
However, Brownlee Jr. elected to transfer to a different change of scenery with the Louisville Cardinals. During his first season with the Cardinals, he recorded 66 total tackles and 12 passes defended. He proved his doubters wrong when the Titans selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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