“Potential means they ain’t done it yet” – Bobby Bowden.
With the Legend’s definition as a caveat to the 2026 Florida State football season, whispers offer hope the 30-plus 4- and 5- star players on this roster can turn potential will turn production.
Let’s review all three segments – offense, defense and special teams – in this season preview.
The specialists
There’s potential for production with national award candidates at both kicker and punter.
Australian punter Daniel Hughes was a Ray Guy award semi-finalist at New Mexico last year averaging 45.4 yards on 41 punts with 13 downed inside the 20 yard line and sailed 23 punts 50 yards or more.
Kicker Gabe Panikowski earned 1st team All American honors at Idaho State in 2024, perfect on 15 attempts, and is now on the 2026 Lou Groza watch list.
Offense
While Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry were 3-star prospects, they are surrounded by production and potential at the skill positions.
A former 5-star, Duce Robinson used his 6-6 frame to produce more than 1,000 yards in 2025 and leads a receiver segment room filled with “potential.”
In addition to Robinson, there are five 4-star prospects creating a buzz, including former running back Micahi Danzy, a track speedster, who is developing into a more complete receiver, Jayvan Boggs who started against Alabama before injuries sidelined him, redshirt freshman Tae ‘Shaun Gelsey, and a pair of true freshmen Jasen Lopez and Devin Carter who are having an impact.
While FSU does not feature a jumbo tight end, they do return two veterans with production and potential. Landen Thomas, a high 4-star prospect, and Desirrio Riles, an East Carolina transfer, have more than 20 starts with 62 receptions for 683 yards and 7 touchdowns and there’s more young talent competing for playing time.
There’s production and potential at running back, with more than 4,200 yards returning. Led by 4-star Tre Wisner, 1,734 yards and 66 receptions at Texas, FSU has depth with 4-star running backs Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton.
All wars are won in the trench, so the line must protect if FSU is to realize its potential, but line coach Herb Hand believes he has at least eight linemen who can do so who return with 100-plus starts among them.
Defense
Again, production and potential. The ‘Noles retained young talent and acquired veteran players which has led practice observers to note players are flying to the ball in year two of Tony White’s 3-3-5 installation.
FSU has seven 4-star defensive backs, including returning safeties Ashlynd Barker and KJ Kirkland, corners Ja’Bril Rawls, Charles Lester and Quindarrius Jones, plus transfers with starting experience.
The front features freshman all American Mandrell Desir along with seven former 4-star prospects who average 6-4, 275 pounds: Darryll Desir, Daniel Lyons, Kevin Wynn, Tylon Lee, Tae Diggs, Jalen Anderson, the No. 1-ranked JuCo edge, and Rylan Kennedy, a 4-star prospect from Texas A&M.
The four who return in the middle of the front average 300-pounds, including Lyons, Winn, Texas State transfer Jordan Sanders, and Deante McCray, who plays inside or out.
FSU also signed four 4-star prospects.
The Noles added five linebackers including 4-star Izayia Williams and Mikai Gbayor, who played for White at Nebraska along with Chris Jones a thumper who had 134 tackles at Southern Miss in 2025.
As Bowden warns, potential doesn’t guarantee production, but it sure does give you a fighting chance.
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Jerry Kutz
The Osceola
