2026 Florida State Depth Chart

Florida State’s quarterback room presents a classic talent vs. experience dilemma. Sixth-year senior Ashton Daniels arrives with four years of Power-5 play (Stanford/Auburn) under his belt, offering Gus Malzahn a steady hand and dual-threat legs. Daniels is favored to open as QB1 given his experience and chemistry with Malzahn, but his one-year leash means redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry remains a very real threat. Sperry – a former blue-chip who flipped from Oklahoma – boasts electrifying speed and swagger, upping the fantasy ceiling of this offense. If Daniels falters or the offense needs a spark, expect Norvell to quickly turn to Sperry’s dynamic rushing upside. That said, a healthy Daniels likely provides the job security and rushing production to hold QB1, with Sperry on standby as a high-upside stash. True freshman Jaden O’Neal projects as the third QB once healthy, but barring multiple injuries he’s a developmental piece for now.

The post-Kam Davis backfield will be a youth-driven committee with considerable upside. Sophomore Ousmane Kromah profiles as the new lead runner after impressing coaches as a freshman with his college-ready build. Kromah runs with power and should handle early downs and goal-line work, though he’ll cede some touches to change-of-pace weapons. One such weapon is former Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas, an open-field blazer who thrived in Malzahn’s gadget-heavy attack – both Lucas and hybrid WR/RB Micahi Danzy scored in FSU’s statement win over Alabama using creative “eye candy” motion plays. Lucas’s pass-catching and big-play ability give him a PPR flex appeal despite likely limited carries. Meanwhile, redshirt junior Sam Singleton Jr. is a steady between-the-tackles option who will see rotational snaps whenever Kromah needs a breather. This trio presents a classic floor-ceiling mix: Kromah’s potential workhorse volume versus Lucas’s explosive but sporadic touches. Fantasy managers should monitor how the new staff distributes goal-line carries and third-down targets, as a true feature back may not emerge.

Florida State’s receiving corps is headlined by the return of 6’6″ matchup nightmare Duce Robinson – assuming he forgoes the NFL Draft for one more year. Robinson was limited by injuries in 2025, but when healthy he’s the clear No.1 target and red-zone weapon for the Seminoles. Opposite him, sophomore Jayvan Boggs is a breakout candidate poised for a leap. Coaches and teammates rave about Boggs’ pro-level potential, and he flashed it in limited action (9 catches as a freshman) before nagging injuries intervened. A fully healthy Boggs offers a high ceiling as a dynamic playmaker, likely moving into a top-two WR role. The wildcard is redshirt sophomore Micahi Danzy, a converted running back with track-star speed who emerged as a versatile weapon last year. Malzahn manufactures touches for Danzy on jet sweeps, screens, and deep shots, making him a high-variance fantasy asset with multi-position usage. Rounding out the receiving rotation are redshirt sophomore Elijah Moore, a big-bodied outside target who brings athleticism but must prove his consistency, and two talented newcomers: freshman Devin Carter, a vertical threat and polished route-runner flipped from Auburn, and freshman Jasen Lopez, a savvy slot technician from a top Florida program. Lopez’s advanced route running could earn him immediate snaps in the slot, though Danzy’s presence means Lopez may start as a WR5/6 in fantasy terms. Overall, this unit has a blend of size (Duce, Moore, Carter) and speed (Danzy, Boggs, Lopez); for fantasy, Robinson’s touchdown upside and Danzy/Boggs’ playmaking give them an edge, but expect some week-to-week volatility beyond the top option.

At tight end, the Seminoles prioritized receiving upside over blocking, which is good news for fantasy managers. Former five-star Landen Thomas briefly entered the portal but opted to return to FSU, positioning him to ascend into the primary TE1 role. Thomas flashed as a freshman and has the athletic profile to be a seam-stretching threat now that veterans Markeston Douglas and Randy Pittman have departed. He’ll be pushed by graduate transfer Desirrio Riles, who arrives from East Carolina as a proven pass-catcher (28 receptions in 2025) and an all-conference talent. Riles’ experience and versatility (15 career starts at ECU) make him a valuable “move” tight end or H-back in Malzahn’s scheme. While FSU may rotate two TEs, Thomas’s familiarity and upside in the red zone likely give him the fantasy edge – expect him to run the most routes, with Riles mixing in for two-TE sets or specific packages. Both tight ends offer more in the passing game than as blockers, aligning with FSU’s plan to create mismatches rather than extra linemen. Finally, after losing their 2025 kicker to the portal, FSU addressed special teams by signing Gabe Panikowski, the reigning FCS kicker of the year. Panikowski was a perfect 15-for-15 on field goals in 2024, bringing much-needed stability to the kicking game. His reliable leg should make him a top-tier fantasy kicker play, attached to an offense that figures to rebound under Malzahn’s guidance.