Elite FSU transfers highlight list as the Warchant Top 40 unveils Players No. 6 through 10

It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 Florida State football season with Warchant’s annual list of the Top 40 players on the Seminoles’ roster — the players we expect to make the biggest impact for FSU this fall. (Note: This is not necessarily the 40 most talented players, but the players we believe will have the opportunity and capability to make the biggest impact this season.)

The list was compiled through voting by Warchant’s Gene Williams, Ira Schoffel, Corey Clark, Jeff Cameron, Aslan Hajivandi and Tom Lang.

The Top 40 is being revealed in segments, continuing today with players No. 6 through No. 10.

Earlier Installments: Players No. 36-40 | Players No. 31-35 | Players No. 26-30 | Players 21-25 | Players 16-20 | Players 11-15

No. 10 — Junior OL Jeremiah Byers

Was maybe the most coveted offensive lineman in the transfer portal when he committed to Florida State. The Texas El-Paso transfer stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 330 pounds. And he can move. He also arrived in January, so he got to go through an entire offseason with the Seminoles, as well as a full spring practice.

Byers was an unheralded recruit coming out of high school, but during his time with the Miners, he blossomed into one of the top linemen in his league. He was named to the All-Conference USA first team for the 2022 season. And he has started 30 games in his college career heading into this year. All at right tackle.

Byers played primarily that position in the spring with the Seminoles, but he could be looked at for a guard spot as well. Either way, with his size, talent and experience, he should be in the running to earn a starting nod for Florida State and prove why he was ranked as one of the elite lineman in the portal after the 2022 season ended.

Individual rankings — Gene (11), Ira (25), Corey (11), Jeff (7), Aslan (9), Tom (5).

No. 9 — Junior DT Darrell Jackson

This ranking is, of course, dependent on him getting his waiver from the NCAA.

That hasn’t happened yet, and we’re now almost in July. But if and when Jackson is declared eligible for the 2023 season, he immediately becomes a vital member of the Florida State defense. Not just because he plays an important position, and not because he’s got experience — he has many starts at both Miami and Maryland already in his career and has played 25 total games.

No, the reason he’s so high on this list is because Jackson was one of the most impressive players on the entire football team this spring. His athleticism, to go along with that 6-5, 326-pound frame, was on display every time he stepped on the field. There were times when he was dominant during spring drills.

If that’s the Jackson the Seminoles can expect this fall, then he will help give the Florida State defense one of the best interiors in the United States.

Individual rankings — Gene (12), Ira (10), Corey (12), Jeff (3), Aslan (12), Tom (9).

No. 8 — Sophomore DE Patrick Payton

The Miami native had a breakthrough year in 2022. Now he might just be ready to really break out.

Payton was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after compiling 31 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 5 sacks for the Seminoles a season ago. Those are nice numbers, especially for a redshirt freshman, but he’s still got plenty of room to grow. If he can, if he can become an all-conference defensive end, opposite Jared Verse on the other side, then FSU’s defensive line could feature one of the best DE tandems in the country.

Payton is explosive and has gotten bigger and stronger each year he’s been in the system. If he can improve as much this season as he did last season, then there’s no reason to think he won’t be one of the top edge rushers in the conference in 2023. And that would be a huge boost for an FSU defense that doesn’t have much proven depth at the position.

Individual rankings — Gene (8), Ira (9), Corey (8), Jeff (9), Aslan (8), Tom (7).

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No. 7 — Junior WR Keon Coleman

Much like Byers was at his position, Coleman was considered one of the elite portal recruits in the country at his. And he could be a game-changer, perhaps a season-changer, for the Seminoles given what he can do at the wide receiver spot.

Last year at Michigan State, the Louisiana native caught 58 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a legitimate No. 1 college receiver, and he’s joining an offense that already had Johnny Wilson on the other side of the field.

At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, and with exceptional ball skills, Coleman gives quarterback Jordan Travis another mismatch on the outside. And a player who has proven he can rise to the occasion against good teams in big games. Coleman had 155 yards receiving against Michigan in 2022 and also had nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns at Washington.

Along with the aforementioned Wilson, Coleman gives Florida State a dynamic duo on the outside that could rival any other team in the country. He still has to get comfortable with the scheme and his teammates, since he wasn’t in Tallahassee for spring practice, but once that happens he could end up being the most impactful transfer on the team.

Individual rankings — Gene (6), Ira (7), Corey (6), Jeff (11), Aslan (5), Tom (13).

No. 6 — Junior TE Jaheim Bell

The Seminoles haven’t had a weapon like this at tight end in a long time.

Bell was considered the best tight end in the portal when he committed to Florida State back in December, and his performance in the spring certainly didn’t do anything to diminish those lofty expectations. He’s listed at 6-3, 233 pounds, but he moves like he’s 30 or 40 pounds lighter than that.

Bell actually looks like a running back with the ball in his hands, which makes sense considering he played that more than a few times at South Carolina. In the Gamecocks’ upset win over then-No. 5 Tennessee, Bell was the feature back and finished with 82 yards rushing.

The year before, in a bowl win over North Carolina, he had touchdown catches of 69 and 66 yards. He’s a versatile, play-making weapon who can line up all over the field. And he gives head coach Mike Norvell and his staff — as well as Travis — a weapon that can be utilized in a number of ways.

Norvell has a penchant for designing plays to get the tight end open. Now, he just so happens to have one of the best tight ends in the country at his disposal. That could very well lead to a number of big plays from Bell in 2023.

Individual rankings — Gene (16), Ira (6), Corey (5), Jeff (5), Aslan (6), Tom (8)

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.