After spring, some position groups are already set in stone heading into the season.
The offensive line is not one of those.
Head coach Mike Norvell and offensive line coach Herb Hand are replacing all five starters from an up-and-down offensive line a season ago, and almost none of the positions, outside of left tackle, appear nailed down. In fact, some of the highest-profile position battles before week zero on the whole team should be at the guard-center-guard spots. Will Florida State’s blue-chip OL recruits finally pay dividends, or will transfers dominate like usual in the trenches?
2025 lookback: Like most of the position lookbacks so far, the stats and the eye test tell two different stories. Florida State ran the ball effectively last year, ranking 11th in the country in rushing yards per game, and finished middle of the pack in sacks allowed, even with a mobile quarterback, yet they all felt like empty calories. The Seminoles lacked enough firepower up front to truly take over games with their OL, and when they needed a big play or something to shift momentum, they rarely delivered.
Redshirt senior Xavier Chaplin: Even though Chaplin plays left tackle, he reminds me a lot of Micah Pettus, FSU’s right tackle from a year ago. Chaplin is a true mountain of a man, listed at 6’8” and over 350 pounds. He also spent time in the SEC and started 12 games for Auburn a season ago. Like Pettus, Chaplin has yet to put it all together, but he will be the anchor to the OL in 2026 and will have every chance to put himself on NFL Draft boards this year.
The offensive line is not one of those.
Head coach Mike Norvell and offensive line coach Herb Hand are replacing all five starters from an up-and-down offensive line a season ago, and almost none of the positions, outside of left tackle, appear nailed down. In fact, some of the highest-profile position battles before week zero on the whole team should be at the guard-center-guard spots. Will Florida State’s blue-chip OL recruits finally pay dividends, or will transfers dominate like usual in the trenches?
2025 lookback: Like most of the position lookbacks so far, the stats and the eye test tell two different stories. Florida State ran the ball effectively last year, ranking 11th in the country in rushing yards per game, and finished middle of the pack in sacks allowed, even with a mobile quarterback, yet they all felt like empty calories. The Seminoles lacked enough firepower up front to truly take over games with their OL, and when they needed a big play or something to shift momentum, they rarely delivered.
Redshirt senior Xavier Chaplin: Even though Chaplin plays left tackle, he reminds me a lot of Micah Pettus, FSU’s right tackle from a year ago. Chaplin is a true mountain of a man, listed at 6’8” and over 350 pounds. He also spent time in the SEC and started 12 games for Auburn a season ago. Like Pettus, Chaplin has yet to put it all together, but he will be the anchor to the OL in 2026 and will have every chance to put himself on NFL Draft boards this year.
4 months ago
