{"id":294537,"date":"2026-06-03T15:47:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/294537\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T15:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:47:17","slug":"two-fsu-football-newcomers-earning-national-attention-ahead-of-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/294537\/","title":{"rendered":"Two FSU Football Newcomers Earning National Attention Ahead Of 2026 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"63\">The Florida State Seminoles brought in over 50 newcomers to the roster this offseason. There&#8217;s a growing pressure in Tallahassee as head coach Mike Norvell enters his seventh year leading the Seminoles.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"66\">The hope is that the countless additions will help get the program back on track. That will take some of the new Seminoles rising to the occasion and garnering larger roles than they&#8217;ve held previously.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"69\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/college\/fsu\/florida-state-seminoles-recruiting\/florida-state-top-commitment-reopens-recruitment-mekhi-williams-\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">READ MORE: Florida State&#8217;s Top Commitment Reopens Recruitment<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6g\">Florida State needs players, young and old, to step up on both sides of the ball going into the fall.<\/p>\n<p>ESPN Highlights Two Of Florida State&#8217;s Newcomers<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01kt5jhbme3b2k4z54cc.jpg\" alt=\"Rylan Kenned\" title=\"Rylan Kenned\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6t\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&amp;M Aggies defensive end Rylan Kennedy (15) runs down field on kick off return in the first half against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images  | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">ESPN&#8217;s Billy Tucker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/story\/_\/id\/48896153\/college-football-2026-top-100-newcomers-transfers-recruits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">recently highlighted <\/a>the top-100 newcomers in college football.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">A pair of Seminoles cracked the list, with senior defensive end Rylan Kennedy slotting in at No. 95 and true freshman wide receiver Devin Carter coming in at No. 97.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">Kennedy joined Florida State via the transfer portal after beginning his college career at Texas A&amp;M. Though he contributed in a backup role for the Aggies, the Seminoles are expecting Kennedy to start off the edge.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">The veteran was the only pass-rusher that FSU brought in through the portal. Fair or not, that means a lot is riding on the acquisition of Kennedy. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">Tucker ranked Kennedy as the No. 14 EDGE on his list, as he fell behind names such as LSU&#8217;s Princewill Umanmielen, Miami&#8217;s Damon Wilson II, and Texas Tech&#8217;s Trey White. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">&#8220;Kennedy brings Florida State a rusher with the ability to rush from different alignments,&#8221; Tucker wrote. &#8220;Though he played only one season of high school football, he has developed over the past few seasons with his athletic upside and a track and field background.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7f\">&#8220;This athleticism can be seen in his quick first step, good use of hands and the ability to close,&#8221; Tucker added. &#8220;With continued development, and filling an area of need, Kennedy could have an impact.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7i\">Carter is on the other end of the spectrum, as he just arrived at Florida State in January and recently went through his first spring at the college level. The youth didn&#8217;t end up mattering as the talented true freshman was one of the more interesting stories to follow through March and April.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">It&#8217;s not out of the realm of possibility that Carter starts on opening day. Either way, the Seminole legacy is primed to have a role in the wide receiver room alongside senior Duce Robinson, redshirt sophomore Micahi Danzy, sophomore Jayvan Boggs, redshirt freshman Tae&#8217;Shaun Gelsey, and true freshman Jasen Lopez.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7o\">Carter was one of five true freshmen wide receivers (Ohio State&#8217;s Chris Henry Jr &#8211; No. 51, Texas&#8217; Jermaine Bishop Jr. &#8211; No. 55, Michigan&#8217;s Salesi Moa &#8211; No. 91, Penn State&#8217;s Amarion Jackson &#8211; No. 99) to crack Tucker&#8217;s list.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\">&#8220;Carter, the son of former FSU running back Dexter Carter, was a top-300 prospect who brings speed to stretch the field vertically, pairing well with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/player\/_\/id\/5088153\/micahi-danzy\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Micahi Danzy,&#8221; Tucker wrote. &#8220;Carter is a smooth receiver who tracks the ball well and shows reliable, soft hands.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7u\">&#8220;After the catch, he offers quickness and stop-start ability to make defenders miss in space,&#8221; Tucker continued. &#8220;His skill set gives him versatility as a developing target capable of impacting both vertical and intermediate routes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7x\">Kennedy and Carter will have an opportunity to cement their roles when preseason camp kicks off in a few months.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"80\">Florida State is only 87 days away from its season-opener against New Mexico State on Saturday, August 29.<\/p>\n<p>2026 Florida State Football Schedule:<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"86\">Saturday, August 29 vs. New Mexico State &#8211; Tallahassee &#8211; 7:00 p.m. ET on The CW<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"89\">Monday, September 7 vs. SMU \u2013 Tallahassee &#8211; 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8c\">Saturday, September 19 at Alabama \u2013 Tuscaloosa, Ala. &#8211; 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8f\">Saturday, September 26 vs. Central Arkansas \u2013 Tallahassee (Family Weekend\/Hall of Fame)<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8i\">Saturday, October 3 vs. Virginia \u2013 Tallahassee (Cancer Awareness)<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8l\">Friday, October 9 at Louisville \u2013 Louisville, Ky. &#8211; 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-28\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8o\">Saturday, October 17 at Miami \u2013 Miami Gardens, Fla.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8r\">Saturday, October 31 vs. Clemson \u2013 Tallahassee (Military Appreciation)<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8u\">Saturday, November 7 at Boston College \u2013 Chestnut Hill, Mass.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-31\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8x\">Saturday, November 13 at Pitt \u2013 Pittsburgh, Pa. &#8211; 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-32\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"90\">Saturday, November 21 vs. NC State \u2013 Tallahassee (Homecoming\/Seminole Heritage\/Athlete Alumni Reunion)<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-33\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"93\">Friday, November 27 vs. Florida \u2013 Tallahassee &#8211; 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-35\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9a\">Sign up for our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/college\/fsu\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">free newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/college\/fsu\/florida-state-seminoles-college-basketball\/facebook.com\/NoleGameday\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nolegameday?s=21&amp;t=nyCeWGVWMsSpULqWCupqGA\" rel=\"nofollow\">X<\/a>\u00a0, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nolegameday\/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for the latest news.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\">Follow<\/a><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Florida State Seminoles brought in over 50 newcomers to the roster this offseason. There&#8217;s a growing pressure&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":294538,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":["post-294537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee-headlines","tag-tallahassee-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=294537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294537\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=294537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=294537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=294537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}