No position group on Florida State’s defense faced more roster attrition over the offseason than the secondary.
However, head coach Mike Norvell and his staff made sure to infuse the group with talent, both out of high school and in the transfer portal, to put together an interesting secondary, to say the least.
If it works, Florida State could have one of the best pass defenses in the conference. If not, FSU’s youth and inexperience has the potential to be exposed throughout the season, giving way to shootouts that the offense will not be able to keep up with.
FSU position previews: Defensive backs
2025 lookback: It is almost impossible to figure out how to rate the secondary from a year ago. The group did an impressive job on Alabama’s outstanding receivers, but was then torched by Virginia and Pitt a few weeks later. After barely forcing any turnovers in 2024, there was a clear improvement in 2025, but even after all the offseason talk from defensive coordinator Tony White and his staff about taking the ball away, there was still more to be desired. Long story short, the group needed a fresh start and got it this offseason.
R-So CJ Richard Jr: Richard, who spent 2025 with Illinois State, was a late addition to the Seminoles’ transfer portal class, but FSU certainly saw something it liked as he committed two days after announcing his intention to leave the Redbirds. Illinois State reached the FCS title game a season ago, so he will bring a winning attitude to a locker room that desperately needs it. Whether Richard Jr. can make the jump to P4 and contribute right away will be the question for the redshirt sophomore.
Jr. Karson Hobbs: Hobbs did not play a ton in his two seasons at Notre Dame, but Florida State decided to take a flier on the traits and athleticism, hoping to get the best out of the DB. Standing 6’1” and weighing 189 pounds, there is no reason Hobbs cannot play all over the backline of the FSU defense. But, considering the Fighting Irish let him enter the transfer portal, there is certainly a risk in taking Hobbs.