As the Portal Turns: Early transfer targets to watch for FSU Football

The transfer portal opened back up on Tuesday, and FSU is expected to get active in it next week. The Seminoles are essentially sitting out this first week of portal activity as a result of their NCAA sanctions related to an NIL-related violation back in 2021.

Florida State’s coaches will be allowed to begin communicating with portal entries on Monday, and there are several targets who might be of interest.

Following are a few names that stand out early because they have either expressed interest in FSU, there is a previous connection and/or they play a position of need for the Seminoles.

Safety Jacoby Mathews – Texas A&M

Mathews entered the portal Tuesday morning, and he told Warchant that Florida State is a school he was interested in. The former Aggie also told On3’s Steve Wiltfong that he was eyeing FSU and Oregon.

Out of high school in 2022, Mathews was a five-star recruit, and according to On3, he was the 19th-best player nationally. He also was considered the country’s best safety.

In College Station during the 2023 season, Mathews recorded 42 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.

According to Pro Football Focus, the former five-star had an excellent 80.8 coverage grade and only gave up 10 receptions on 21 targets last season.

IOL Jason Zandamela – Southern Cal

Zandamela announced his intention to enter the portal last week, and he has now followed through with that plan. The interior lineman was only at USC for the spring semester, as he enrolled early after signing in December.

According to On3, the 6-foot-2.5, 285-pound prospect was the No. 118 prospect in the 2024 class and the sixth-best interior lineman.

Coming out of Clearwater International Academy, the former four-star recruit was once teammates with another trench player for the Seminoles, Lucas Simmons. FSU was trending in Zandamela’s recruitment for some time, but he eventually picked the Trojans.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Seminoles finished second in his recruitment. Now, they will likely get their second shot. Wiltfong shared with Warchant subscribers earlier this week that the Seminoles will be, “tough to beat.”

DL Jermayne Lole – Arizona State/Louisville

Defensive tackle is likely FSU’s top position of need in the transfer portal, and Lole will be an intriguing candidate. He already has announced visits to a few schools, but the Seminoles could join that list when they open communications next week.

In 2023 for Louisville, the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder recorded 19 total tackles, 5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. At Arizona State in 2021, he was listed as the second-best interior defender, according to Pro Football Focus.

Lole actually was extremely productive for a defensive lineman earlier in his career, as he racked up 72 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2019. But he missed the 2021 season due to a triceps injury and then missed much of the 2023 season at Louisville due to injury.

OT Payton Kirkland – Texas

Kirkland officially entered the portal Tuesday morning. The former three-star recruit is from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, so he and the FSU coaches are very familiar with each other.

Kirkland did have an offer from Florida State out of high school in 2023, but his recruitment ended up coming down to Texas, Florida, Miami, Michigan State and Oklahoma.

Out of high school, On3 had Kirkland rated as a top-30 tackle nationally and a top-100 player in the state of Florida. Kirkland did not take a snap for the Longhorns in 2023, resulting in a redshirt and four years of eligibility remaining,

Stay connected with our live updates on Transfer Portal prospects on the Premium Recruiting Board.

And see our master list of portal targets and where things stand with each.

SIGN UP: Join Warchant’s FSU Community for $1 today

***Discuss this article with Florida State football fans on the Premium Recruiting Board.***