These 5 Florida State Seminoles football underclassmen could have breakout years

With a new coaching staff and a host of new players from both the transfer portal and high school ranks, there is cautious optimism for the future of Florida State football.

Following the disastrous 2-10 season, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell brought in Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and Tony White as the program's new defensive coordinator to help revitalize a reshaped roster.

Among the new faces, there are a handful of underclassmen players who are on the cusp of a breakthrough in the Seminoles' 2025 campaign. With 33 players leaving the program in the transfer portal and another 20 exhausting eligibility, there is room for the freshmen and sophomores on the roster to become impact players.

Let's take a look at the breakout candidates.

Ousmane Kromah, running back, freshman

Recently arriving on campus, freshman running back Ousmane Kromah could carry a heavy load for the Seminoles' offense under Malzahn. His profile fits the prototype of what the Seminoles' new offensive coordinator tends to like, and it could push Kromah into some early usage.

The 6-foot-1, 214-pound running back from Lee County was a top-100 prospect and rushed for 1,290 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior with 693 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He has an explosive burst and was able to fight through contact regularly in high school, and while that is never guaranteed to translate to the next level, there is a belief that the freshman will be ready to contribute at the collegiate level this fall.

Kromah joins a running back room with Roydell Williams, Jaylin Lucas, Kam Davis and Oklahoma transfer Gavin Sawchuk among other players. Starting reps are not guaranteed for Kromah, but the back could take a feature role, similar to how Davis was utilized in his freshman season.

Lawayne McCoy, wide receiver, sophomore

With the lack of production at wide receiver last season, there were opportunities for young players like Lawayne McCoy to earn play time. He locked down a role on special teams as a punt returner, and he earned opportunities at wide receiver, and has the potential to be a player that contributes heavily.

An injury in the spring kept McCoy off the field for much of practice, but he appeared in 10 games as a freshman, both as a punt returner and at receiver. A smooth route runner and a player with quick feet to avoid a tackle, in an offense like Mlzhan's that gets wide receivers involved in plays in unique ways, McCoy is a good fit for that dynamic.

With three key veteran transfers coming in, Gavin Blackwell, Squirrel White and Duce Robinson, McCoy will face veteran competition for any potential starting role. But with his performances last season, both in practice and on the field, he's a player to watch when the season rolls around in the fall.

Charles Lester III, defensive back, redshirt-freshman

There is an opportunity for someone in the defensive backfield to fill the void left by the departing Fentrell Cypress and Azareye'h Thomas, who was selected by the New York Jets in the recent NFL Draft. Charles Lester III is a natural candidate to step into a significant role at cornerback in his redshirt freshman season.

Lester was limited in his role in his first year on campus, appearing in four games where he totaled three tackles and one pass deflection. He was a consistent standout in practice, working his way up the depth chart for FSU into a secondary role at cornerback, and seems in line for a breakout season.

A lengthy 6-foot-1 corner, Lester's strength is his ability to stick with opponents in coverage. With White's system involving a heavy dose of defensive backs, Lester is in line to be one of the key contributors and is a natural name to step up with the opportunity available.

Kevin Wynn, defensive line, freshman

One of the most exciting recruits in the 2025 recruiting class, Kevin Wynn, is one of the most exciting prospects on the Seminoles roster. Ranked as a consensus 4-star prospect, Wynn was the No. 59-ranked prospect by 247Sports out of Greene County High School in Greensboro, Georgia.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 343 pounds, Wynn plays with a tenacious physicality that could propel him into some early minutes on the defensive line with head coach Terrance Knighton at the helm of that unit. With unnatural speed that doesn't match his size, Wynn posted 59 tackles, 27 of them for a loss and seven sacks in his senior year in high school, and he earned an invitation to the Navy All-American bowl because of it.

It can be hard for freshmen to make the jump in physicality from high school to college along the defensive line, but Wynn has the tools to do so, and he could find himself earning early reps in his career with the Seminoles.

Amaree Williams, defensive line/tight end, sophomore

Amaree Williams played for Florida State in the final game of the 2024 season, against the Florida Gators on Nov. 30.

After bursting onto the scene in his freshman year as a tight end, Amaree Williams is expected to flip to the other side of the ball and take snaps at defensive end. Williams reclassified, with his freshman season replacing his senior season at the Benjamin School.

The plan was to utilize Williams on both sides of the ball when he was recruited, and with the offensive struggles the Seminoles experienced last season, the then-freshman was thrust into a role at tight end alongside Landen Thomas. He posted 71 yards on five catches and caught two touchdowns in eight appearances.

While limited, Williams showcased the potential that the Seminoles bet on when allowing him to play both sides of the football. He has taken reps at defensive end in the offseason, and he could feature in the group now led by Terrance Knighton while also furthering his development in the tight end room.

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney