CLEMSON – Nearing the homestretch of the season, Clemson will face off against the Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 8 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson.
The Tigers have a storied history with the Seminoles, as the two have battled for ACC supremacy for nearly two decades now. Clemson or FSU have played for the ACC Championship every year, except for 2021, since 2009.
Either the Tigers or the Noles have won the ACC Championship every year, except in 2021, since 2011. Clemson is the odds on favorite to win the league championship again in 2025, but can FSU bounce back from last year’s 2-10 season and put itself back in the mix for another ACC Championship.
OFFENSE
After a rough year at quarterback for the Seminoles in 2024, Boston College transfer Tommy Castellanos takes control of the offense. His arm talent is joined by his impressive rushing abilities, which were displayed in his 1,113 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2023. However, will he reduce his turnovers, as he has accrued 19 interceptions over the past two years?
Nearly the entire offensive line has been replaced, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad. Vanderbilt transfer Gunner Hansen and Ole Miss transfer Micah Pettis are veterans who will take over the tackle positions, while Wake Forest transfer Luke Petitbon is a talented addition at center. At guard, Adrian Medley joins the team from UCF, while returning left guard Richie Leonard IV will start if he is fully recovered from injury.
Running back Roydell Williams returns after missing most of the 2024 season, when he took 20 carries. He is followed by sophomores Kam Davis and Samuel Singleton Jr., who will look to split time and support Williams. The Seminoles also added Gavin Sawchuk from Oklahoma, who will help provide depth.
The Seminoles are getting an overhaul at receiver, with USC transfer Duce Robinson expected to be the main man. Tennessee transfer Squirrel White joins with 131 catches in his three seasons as a Vol, and UNC transfer Gavin Blackwell is expected to get touches alongside returning tight end Landon Thomas, who is joined at tight end by Randy Pittman Jr. (UCF), who tallied 416 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
DEFENSE
After losing defensive end Patrick Payton to LSU and tackle Joshua Farmer to the NFL, the defense has some holes to fill. However, there is a lot of potential for this defense to be an improved unit from last season.
Senior tackle Darrell Jackson Jr., (6-5, 337), and his monstrous frame will be joined by sophomore KJ Sampson. Transfers Deante McCray (Western Kentucky) and James Williams (Nebraska) will fill the end positions, and Deamontae Diggs (Coastal Carolina) will be in the rotation.
Nebraska transfer Stefon Thompson is a great pickup for the Seminoles, as he will be an immediate leader for the linebacker room and has experience from his five years of football. Elijah Herring will join him after amassing 140 tackles between his time at Memphis and Tennessee.
The secondary still has things to figure out, but the base is steady. Safeties Shyheim Brown and K.J. Kirkland will be good this season, as Brown earned 70 tackles last year and Kirkland is entering his sophomore year. At cornerback, Houston transfer Jeremiah Wilson will provide talent while the rest of the secondary is up for battle between sophomore Ja’Bril Rawls, junior Quindarrius Jones, redshirt freshman Cai Bates and Charles Lester III.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The special teams room is fresh, with kicker Jake Weinberg taking over the starting job as a redshirt freshman after nailing his only field goal attempt last season.
At punter, true freshman Ethan Post will join the room to be alongside junior punter Mac Chiumento, with the starting job still up in the air.
OVERVIEW
Is head coach Mike Norvell on the hotseat in Tallahassee? Maybe.
The Seminoles’ schedule is anything but easy. They kick off Week 1 against Alabama and end the season against rival Florida. In between, rivals Miami and Clemson will prove to be challenging conference matchups, but the rest of the schedule can be helpful in getting the program back on track.