Column: Can the Transfer Portal Do for FSU's Receiving Corps What it Did for the Pass Rush?

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell's tenure in Tallahassee hasn't gotten off to the best of starts. Over his first two seasons, the Seminoles are just 8-13.One area where he has excelled, however, is picking up talent via the transfer portal.

Perhaps the most glaring improvement for FSU in 2021 was its ability to rush the passer. After ranking dead last in the ACC in sacks and sacks per game in 2020, the Seminoles ranked fourth in sacks per game in 2021 and in the top 40 nationally.

The biggest reason for the strides made was a pair of newcomers in Jermaine Johnson II and Keir Thomas. The two combined for 18.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss last season. Johnson was named an All-American before being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.On the other side of the football for FSU in 2021, the weak link may have been the receiving corps. As he did with the defensive line in 2021, Norvell used the transfer portal to try to increase production.

FSU returns six of its top seven receivers from 2021 but the leading receiver, Ontaria Wilson, finished with just 382 yards last season. For perspective's sake, that ranked just 39th in the ACC. The team's returning leader in receptions, tight end Camren McDonald, ranked just 46th in the ACC with 24 catches.

Although FSU failed to add a high school or junior college wide receiver, it managed to add four via the transfer portal. The additions have a diverse set of skills.

A Revamped Corps

Winston Wright Jr., Deuce Spann and Mycah Pittman are three players who could be used in a variety of ways. All have great speed and are shifty in space.

Of the three, Wright, a transfer from West Virginia, is the most accomplished for his career. Over the last two seasons, Wright has more than 1,200 total yards receiving, including a career-high 688 last season on 63 catches to go with five touchdowns.

Wright could also provide a spark in an area where FSU has been sorely lacking in recent years -- the return game. For his career, Wright has averaged nearly 25 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns. A preseason injury, however, lends questions to how effective he can be in 2022.Pittman and Spann have not been nearly as productive but could be similar types of players. Spann could also evolve into a deep threat. A native of Florida, Spann caught just five passes for Illinois last season but three went for at least 30 yards and two went for touchdowns.

Pittman was a top-100 national prospect when he signed with Oregon for the 2019 cycle. At 5-11 and 200 pounds, Pittman felt underutilized at Oregon, tallying 38 receptions for 547 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons.Pittman averaged better than 14 yards per catch with the Ducks and was also solid in the return game. On 15 punt returns, he averaged better than 10 yards per return.Pittman wasn't the only addition for FSU from the Pac-12. Johnny Wilson, a 6-7, 230-pound target, caught 18 passes for 243 yards and a score in two seasons at Arizona State. Wilson averaged 13.5 yards per catch and could immediately be a red zone threat for the Seminoles.

Coming Together as a Group

The quartet of new receivers will bring versatility to a receiving corps that has a diverse set of skills. Wilson and Keyshawn Helton are experienced but not always consistent. Ja'Khi Douglas showed the ability to stretch the field last season while Malik McClain has the potential to be a complete receiver.

As a whole, FSU isn't that far removed from having a star at wide receiver. Although his 2020 season underwhelmed, Tamorrion Terry finished with more than 1,000 yards receiving in 2019.The Seminoles, however, haven't had multiple receivers with at least 500 yards since 2018 when Terry and Nyqwan Murray each finished with 744 yards. Currently, FSU appears to have its deepest corps since the Jimbo Fisher era.

While Pittman, Spann and Wilson have a lot to prove, the same could have been said about Johnson last season. Johnson had just 6.5 sacks in two years at Georgia. In 2021, he led the ACC with 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.In one offseason, FSU managed to completely revamp its pass rush from a liability to a strength, using the transfer portal. The Seminoles will be hoping for similar results in 2022 with the receiving corps.

Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike's work by liking his Facebook page.