Offense
The quarterback room will see a new starter for the third straight season. Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels seems to be the next man up. He has been inconsistent but has shown flashes. Kevin Sperry is a redshirt freshman the staff is high on and one to watch.
The running back room returns Ousmane Kramah and Samuel Singelton Jr. Both of these guys are quick and hard to stop. The additions of Gemari Sands (Florida Atlantic) and Quintrevion Wisner (Texas) are massive. Wisner is very solid. This is a deep room.
The wide receiver room returns Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy to form one of the best duos in the country. Danzy’s speed and explosiveness is fun to watch. Robinson had over 1,000 yards receiving last season. There is plenty of young talent joining them as well.
The offensive line will feature five new starters for the second straight season. Transfers will be key. The additions of Bradyn Joiner (Purdue), Chimdia Nwaiwu (Stephen F Austin), Xavier Chaplin (Auburn), Paul Bowling (Troy), and Nate Pabst (Bowling Green) will all play major roles.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Daniel Lyons, Deante McCray, Darryll Desir, Mendrell Desir, Deamontae Diggs, and Jalen Anderson, among others. The additions of Jordan Sanders (Texas State) and Rylan Kennedy (Texas A&M) are massive. Kennedy will play a major role.
The linebacker room returns experience in Blake Nichelson and Omar Graham Jr. The additions of Mikai Gbayor (North Carolina) and Chris Jones (Southern Miss) are massive. Jones was top 10 nationally in tackles last season with 133.
The secondary returns experience in Ja’Bril Rawls, Ashlynd Barker, and Quindarrius Jones, among others. The additions of Ma’Khi Jones (Duke), CJ Richard Jr. (Illinois State), Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame), and Nehemiah Chandler (South Alabama) are massive for this unit.
Specialists
Transfers will take over at kicker, punter, and even long snapper. The kicking duties will belong to Oklahoma State transfer Gabe Panikowski. While punting duties will belong to New Mexico transfer Daniel Hughes. The new long snapper will be North Dakota State transfer Caleb Bowers.
2026 Schedule
- 8/29 New Mexico State
- 9/7 SMU
- 9/19 at Alabama
- 9/26 Central Arkansas
- 10/3 Virginia
- 10/9 at Louisville
- 10/17 at Miami
- 10/31 Clemson
- 11/7 at Boston College
- 11/13 at Pittsburgh
- 11/21 NC State
- 11/27 Florida
Final Analysis
This may be Mike Norvell’s final opportunity to right the ship. The Noles haven’t won outside of Doak Campbell Stadium in over two years, so the schedule does them no favors this season. Going 7-18 since being undefeated and left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023, makes for some difficult times in Tallahassee.
