Florida State's Offensive Line Challenges: A Look at Recent Transfers and Recruiting Struggles

Florida State's Offensive Line Challenges: A Look at Recent Transfers and Recruiting Struggles

Florida State's offensive line recruiting has been lacking in recent years, with only a few players making significant contributions since head coach Mike Norvell took over. The team has had to rely on the transfer portal to bolster its offensive line due to the lack of development in the trenches. Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Manasse Itete has decided to transfer after two seasons with the Seminoles. Itete, a former four-star prospect from Modesto, California, has three years of eligibility remaining and is the second offensive lineman to transfer from the team this offseason.

Itete, who was recruited by former offensive line coach Alex Atkins, made his college debut in 2025 and redshirted during his true freshman season. The 6-foot-5, 307-pound lineman, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was ranked as the No. 25 interior offensive lineman in his recruiting class. With Itete's departure, Florida State continues to see a significant number of players entering the transfer portal this offseason, including several other key contributors from the team.

The Seminoles will need to address their offensive line depth and development moving forward to ensure they have a strong and capable unit in the future. As the team navigates the challenges of player attrition and transfers, recruiting and developing talented offensive linemen will be crucial for their success on the field.