Florida State University's Mandrell Desir: A Rising Defensive Star and FWAA Freshman All-American
Florida State University's defensive lineman Mandrell Desir has been recognized as a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. Desir had an impressive true freshman season in 2025, playing in all 12 games and tallying 30 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks, along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. His sack and tackle for loss numbers led all ACC freshmen, with his sack total ranking as the third-highest for a freshman in FSU history.
Throughout the season, Desir showcased his skills by recording at least 0.5 sacks in five consecutive games, a feat not achieved by an FSU defender since 2016. He ended the regular season ranked third nationally among freshmen in sacks and sixth in tackles for loss. Desir's sacks resulted in 55 lost yards, the fourth-highest in the ACC and the most among freshmen from a Power 4 conference.
Hailing from Miami and a product of Norland High School, Desir made a strong debut in the season opener against No. 8 Alabama, registering four tackles, the most by an FSU true freshman in a season opener since 1977. He continued to impress with a career-high five tackles and 1.0 sack against Clemson and NC State.
Desir's recognition as an FWAA Freshman All-American marks the second consecutive year that FSU has had a player receive this honor, following Samuel Singleton Jr.'s recognition in 2024. FSU is among the ten teams in the nation, and one of two from the ACC, to have had at least one FWAA Freshman All-American in both 2024 and 2025.
Desir joins the ranks of Florida State's 16 FWAA Freshman All-Americans since the organization began naming an exclusive All-American team for freshmen in 2001. He follows in the footsteps of Timmy Jernigan and Brian Burns as FSU defensive linemen who earned Freshman All-America accolades from the FWAA after their true freshman seasons in 2011 and 2016, respectively.
In addition to his FWAA Freshman All-American recognition, Desir was named a True Freshman All-American by On3 and 247Sports and received honorable mention All-ACC honors. He stood out as the only freshman defensive lineman to earn All-ACC recognition and was the runner-up for the conference's Defensive Rookie of the Year award.