Evaluating how quickly Florida State offensive, defensive transfers can mesh

Florida State is counting on big performances from a couple of transfers to find success in the 2024 season. Defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr. and quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will likely be the difference between repeating as ACC Champions or not after joining the Seminoles from Georgia and Oregon State, respectively.

For Uiagalelei in particular, there are big shoes to fill after how well Jordan Travis played for FSU over the past few seasons. There are mixed opinions on what kind of season the former Clemson and Oregon State starter as he has been inconsistent throughout his career.

But Uiagalelei threw for a career-high 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns to seven interceptions this past season with the Beavers and appeared to find a new confidence. The Seminoles are hopeful to get that version of him as Jeff Cameron of Warchant explained on the Andy Staples On3 podcast.

“This camp has been fascinating for that reason,” Cameron said of FSU’s transfers. “You’ve got the influx of players from Alabama, LSU, Georgia. You have some returning players that have huge expectations for their season. Patrick Payton is obviously hoping to be a first-round draft pick. He has a chance to be. He’s a very talented player.

“If DJU at quarterback plays to the best version of DJU that we’ve seen — he’s a guy that’s had good moments, he’s certainly had his down moments and everything in between — but when he plays well he plays really well. We’ll see if that’s what Mike gets out of him. But if he plays well and you get a Marvin Jones Jr. to come in and realize his five-star potential.”

Jones also has high expectations coming into this season after playing the last two years with Georgia. He was listed as an edge rusher coming out of high school and played linebacker for the Bulldogs but will likely start at defensive end for the Seminoles with Payton.

FSU is looking to replace a big part of its pass rush with both Jared Verse and Kalen DeLoach, who combined for 16 sacks last season, gone. Jones, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 255 pounds, seems to be the person the Seminoles brought in to do that.

“You look at that body type and it screams NFL,” Cameron said. “It reminds me of being around Jermaine Johnson. Those guys look like they belong in the league. Marvin looks like he belongs in the league. This could be a coming out party for him and if you have those bookends at defensive ends doing that, Florida State could once again have an elite defense. I thought at the end of last year that defense was playing as well as anybody’s and they have a chance to be a top 20 defense again this year. I actually think that’s really the crux of this team.”

Uiagalelei and Jones aren’t the only transfers who will play a big role for Florida State, which ranked No. 3 overall in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings. The Seminoles brought in 17 total transfers, including expected starting running back Roydell Williams and receivers Malik Benson and Jalen Brown.

That provides a lot of question of what the offensive chemistry will look like with so many new pieces, but also a lot of excitement thanks to the talent of those pieces. Even if the offense takes a bit to get going, Cameron is confident the defense will help the Seminoles compete early.

“The offense, I think, will start slow this year because of all the new pieces, including a brand new quarterback, brand new running back, brand new receivers,” he said. “I do think that they’re gonna take some time to develop on offense. They’re aided by the fact that they have a deep and experienced offensive line, but I think the defense will carry the day for this team early on.”