Seminole Sunday Sauce — Jan. 14, 2024: FSU Football Enjoys Massive Week in Transfer Portal
During a week in which Florida State football learned of NCAA sanctions, which include the loss of five scholarships over two seasons and two years of probation, there was still more good news than bad. A big part of the good news came via the transfer portal.
For the week, FSU landed nine new transfers. That included six 4-star transfers with three coming from Alabama. After reports surfaced that Alabama was interested in FSU head coach Mike Norvell to replace the legendary Nick Saban, the university was able to give the Bobby Dodd and Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Award an 8-year extension worth more than $10 million annually.
Wide receiver Malik Benson, offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson and running back Roydell Williams will make the move from Tuscaloosa to Tallahassee. Defensive back Earl Little II announced his decision to transfer from Alabama to FSU the week prior.
The other 4-stars were former West Virginia defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye, former Oregon State defensive lineman Sione Lolohea and former LSU wide receiver Jalen Brown. FSU added three more transfers in Miami cornerback Davonte Brown, Florida offensive lineman Richie Leonard and Colorado State defensive tackle Grady Kelly.
For the cycle, the Seminoles have now landed 13 transfers, including nine 4-star transfers. FSU now has the No. 3 transfer class, according to the 247Sports Composite, and No. 7 overall class when mixing transfers and incoming high school and junior college prospects.
FOOTBALL
Record: 13-1
Ranking: No. 6 AP Poll; No. 6 USA Today Coaches Poll
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 10 nationally, second in ACC (22 total commitments)
Wrap-up: It was a killer week for FSU via the transfer portal.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 10-6 (4-1 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (2-0), beat Wake Forest on Tuesday, 87-82; beat Notre Dame on Saturday, 67-58
Upcoming: at Miami (Wednesday); vs. Clemson (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 85 nationally, 15th in ACC (1 total commitment)
Wrap-up: Don’t look now, but FSU has quietly won four straight ACC games.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 16 CSCAA; women No. 23 CSCAA
Past Week: Men beat Harvard on Tuesday, 168-132; men lost to Georgia on Saturday, 193-107; women lost to Georgia on Saturday, 180-117; women beat Vanderbilt on Saturday, 230-61
Upcoming: at Florida (Jan. 26)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: In its return to the pool, FSU faced some fairly stiff competition. For the week, the Seminoles went 2-2.
Women’s Basketball
Record: 13-4 (4-1 ACC)
Ranking: No. 21 AP; No. 20 USA TODAY Coaches Poll
Past Week: (2-0), beat Clemson on Sunday, 78-72; beat North Carolina on Thursday, 70-62
Upcoming: vs. Virginia Tech (Sunday); at Syracuse (Thursday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: It was a solid week for FSU with two good wins. Sunday’s contest against Virginia Tech won’t be easy.
Men’s Tennis
Record: 2-0
Ranking: No. 20 ITA
Past Week: (2-0), beat Mercer on Saturday, 7-0; beat Jacksonville State on Saturday, 7-0
Upcoming: at Mississippi State (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU opened its season with a pair of sweeps.
Women’s Tennis
Record: 0-0
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: vs. Old Dominion (Tuesday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The wait is over. FSU kicks off its 2024 season this week.
Track and Field
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: Participated in Clemson Invitational
Upcoming: Vanderbilt Invitational (Friday and Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The indoor season is officially underway. FSU kicked off the year with a strong showing at the Clemson Invitational.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
