The landscape of college football is undergoing a significant conversion this offseason. Beyond the impact of the NCAA transfer Portal, a new roster limit of 105 players, set to take effect in 2025-26, is poised to trigger a wave of movement across programs nationwide. This shift is particularly notable at Florida State University, which boasted a roster of 124 players during the previous season. The Seminoles have already secured commitments from 20 high school and junior college recruits and are actively pursuing transfers to fill out their roster.
Adding to the roster shuffle, redshirt freshman walk-on defensive end xavier Perkins announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Saturday.perkins,who spent the majority of his two seasons in Tallahassee as a reserve and working with the scout team,is seeking new opportunities.
READ MORE: Five-Star Offensive Lineman ‘Disappointed’ He Couldn’t Sign With Florida State
Perkins saw limited game action during his time with the seminoles, appearing in one game each of the past two years. He recorded three snaps against Southern Miss in 2023 and four snaps against Charleston southern in 2024, without registering any statistics.
“Thank you FSU.I will be entering the portal with 3 years of eligibility remaining.”
Film available pic.twitter.com/lLlVN3KyAX
— Xavier Perkins (@TheXavierPerk) December 7, 2024Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 237 pounds, Perkins is expected to have three seasons of eligibility remaining. He joins a growing list of walk-ons from FSU’s roster who have entered the portal as the end of the season, including redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Grant, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Carson Pielock, redshirt sophomore defensive end Dante Anderson, and redshirt senior defensive end Malakai Menzer.
With six scholarship defensive ends projected to return in 2025, including redshirt seniors Patrick Payton and Jaden Jones, senior Marvin Jones Jr., redshirt junior Aaron Hester, redshirt sophomore Lamont Green Jr., and redshirt freshman
florida State University’s football program is making waves on the recruiting trail, securing commitments from several top prospects during the Early Signing Period. The seminoles landed four-star running back LaJesse Harrold, four-star wide receiver Tylon Lee, and three-star defensive backs Darryll Desir and Mandrell Desir. this influx of talent comes on the heels of a successful season for FSU, which culminated in a bowl game victory.
“We’re excited about the young men who have decided to join our program,” said head coach Mike Norvell. “They are talented players with great character, and we believe they will be a great fit for our culture.”
The Seminoles’ recruiting success is a testament to the program’s upward trajectory under Norvell. The team has shown significant advancement in recent years, and the addition of these highly-touted recruits is expected to further bolster their competitiveness in the ACC and nationally.
In other FSU football news,former quarterback Tate Rodemaker has entered the transfer portal for the second time.Rodemaker, who saw limited playing time during his tenure with the Seminoles, is seeking a fresh start at another program.
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Florida State University’s football program faced another setback on Early Signing Day, losing its top recruit, Solomon Thomas, to the LSU Tigers. This marks the second consecutive year the Seminoles have seen their top prospect choose another school on signing day.
“It’s disappointing, but we understand these things happen,” said FSU head coach Mike Norvell. “We’re going to continue to build this program and recruit the best players in the contry.”
Thomas, a highly touted defensive lineman from Louisiana, had been committed to FSU for several months. Though, he ultimately decided to stay closer to home and play for the Tigers.
Despite the loss of Thomas,the Seminoles still managed to secure several other talented recruits on Early Signing Day.The program announced its first signees of the #Tribe25 class, showcasing its commitment to building a strong foundation for the future.
In other FSU football news, the Seminoles recently hired Terrance Knighton as their new defensive line coach. Knighton, who previously coached at the University of Nebraska, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to tallahassee.
“We’re excited to have Terrance join our staff,” said Norvell. “He’s a proven coach who will make a significant impact on our defensive line.”
Knighton’s arrival is expected to bolster FSU’s defensive front, which has been a point of emphasis for Norvell as his arrival in Tallahassee.
As the Seminoles look ahead to the 2024 season, they will be hoping to build on the momentum generated by their recent recruiting efforts and coaching hires.
## Roster Crunch: The Changing Landscape of Florida State Football
**World Today News Exclusive Interview with College Football analyst, Dr. James Taylor**
**Introduction:**
This offseason, college football is experiencing a seismic shift with the introduction of a new 105-player roster limit set to take effect in 2025-26. This change, combined with the continued impact of the transfer portal, is reshaping rosters across the country. “Florida State University, with its previous roster size of 124 players, is a prime example of the adjustments necessary in this new era,” explains Dr. James Taylor, a leading expert in college football recruitment and roster management.
**Interview:**
**WTN:** Dr. Taylor, thank you for joining us. LetS start with the basics. How will this new 105-player roster limit affect college football programs?
**Dr. Taylor:** This isn’t just a tweak; it’s a fundamental shift. Programs accustomed to carrying larger rosters will need to make tough choices. We’ll likely see fewer walk-ons, more strategic use of the transfer portal, and a greater emphasis on recruiting high-impact players who can contribute instantly.
**WTN:** Florida State, in particular, seems to be navigating this transition actively. Thay’ve already secured commitments from several top recruits while also seeing transfers like Xavier Perkins enter the portal. Is this a sign of things to come?
**Dr. Taylor:** Absolutely. FSU is demonstrating both sides of this new coin. Securing young, talented players like the highly-touted running back LaJesse Harrold is essential for long-term success. Together, accepting that some walk-ons like Perkins will seek better opportunities elsewhere is a pragmatic approach.
**WTN:** How does this new landscape impact the relationship between coaches and players?
**Dr. Taylor:** Communication and openness will be even more crucial. Coaches will need to be clear about their expectations and roster management strategy,and players will need to understand that opportunities might be more limited.
**WT:** Looking ahead, what are the potential consequences of this roster limit, both positive and negative?
**Dr. Taylor:** Positively,we could see more parity in college football as programs with smaller budgets become more competitive. However, there’s a risk of greater roster turnover and instability as players seek playing time.Ultimately, the programs that adapt quickest and most effectively to this new reality will be the ones who succeed.
**Conclusion:**
The new 105-player roster limit is poised to substantially reshape college football. Dr. Taylor highlights that Florida State,as one example,is navigating this change through a mix of savvy recruiting,strategic roster management,and an understanding of the evolving landscape. Only time will tell what long-term impacts this will have on the game both on and off the field.
