The Florida State Seminoles are nearing the end of their offseason with eight days to go until they kick off against New Mexico State.

Through spring practice, summer workouts, and 17 fall practices, the roster has taken shape while several Seminoles have improved their stock during the dog days of fall camp.

Some capitalized on fresh opportunities, while others earned repeated praise from head coach Mike Norvell or emerged as potential contributors at positions of need. With Saturday’s mock game marking the final step before official game-week preparation begins, four players stand out as FSU’s biggest offseason winners.

Jasen Lopez Has Been Hard to Ignore

FSU's coaches have been careful not to place excessive expectations on Lopez before his freshman debut, but the former two-sport standout has made that increasingly difficult throughout fall camp.

He has repeatedly drawn praise while competing for opportunities at receiver and punt returner, and will likely factor into what Florida State is trying to accomplish offensively.

The dual-sport freshman flashed after joining spring practice and carried that momentum into the preseason.

Norvell has praised the former four-star recruit and said that he is primed for “significant opportunities” this year.

“He’s a guy that doesn’t really act like a freshman,” Norvell said. “I’m not going to put him as a freshman player until he shows me that’s how he’s going to act.”

Lopez has also elevated himself in the punt-return competition. Special teams coordinator Adam Scheier said the freshman has demonstrated the “ability, confidence, and moxie” to handle the role, giving him another path onto the field immediately.

Chris Jones Has Set The Tone At Linebacker

Jones arrived at Florida State with proven production after leading the Sun Belt with 135 tackles at Southern Miss. His offseason success, however, has extended beyond the stat sheet. From spring practice through fall camp, the transfer has quickly established himself as one of the defense’s most physical players and a tone-setter in Ernie Sims’ linebacker room.

“Coach Sims says to set the tone, so I try to set the tone every day,” Jones said. “I just love being physical.”

Florida State has not publicly finalized its linebacker rotation, with Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson, Mikai Gbayor, and Caleb LaVallee among the veterans competing for roles. Even in that crowded depth chart, Jones has consistently been one of the first players mentioned throughout camp.

An Accelerated Timeline For Marshall

Marshall appeared to be a developmental option when he arrived at Florida State during the summer. Ashton Daniels had already secured the starting job, while Kevin Sperry had an advantage after spending his first year in Norvell’s offense and participating throughout spring practice.

That quickly changed.

Despite missing the spring, the reigning NJCAA Division I Offensive Player of the Year has emerged as a legitimate contender with Sperry for the backup job.

“I’ve been really pleased with the way that he’s transitioned. He’s a really smart young man,” Norvell said during fall camp.

Ricky Knight III Has Worked His Way Into The Conversation

Florida State remains unsettled across portions of the secondary, but Knight has worked his way into the competition at cornerback. His opportunity may be partly circumstantial. Still, circumstance alone does not explain why Norvell has repeatedly mentioned him.

The former blue-chip prospect appeared in only seven games last season and entered fall camp without an obvious place in Florida State’s defensive-back rotation.

Karson Hobbs’ absence has forced Florida State to experiment with different personnel combinations in the secondary.

“A guy that I’ve really been pleased with and will probably get a little bit more of a look is Ricky Knight.”

Saturday will provide another opportunity for roles to shift before Florida State begins preparing for New Mexico State. Regardless of how the remaining competitions unfold, Lopez, Jones, Marshall, and Knight will enter the season in a far different light than when 2026 began.

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