Updated Friday, September 4, 2026, ahead of the Labor Day opener against SMU. Mike Norvell said Florida State will not release depth charts before games this season, but the Week 0 chart was handed out with the game notes at kickoff against New Mexico State on August 29. That chart is below, and it is updated with the game day version each week and after every game.
Florida State is 1-0 after New Mexico State and hosts No. 19 SMU on Monday night in the ACC opener, then goes to Alabama. Norvell, entering the season with his job under scrutiny after a 7-17 two year stretch, said practice performance will decide the lineup each week and that he will not publish charts in advance. The Week 0 version still tells you most of what you need: Ashton Daniels is the quarterback, Duce Robinson is the No. 1 receiver, and the backup quarterback is an OR between a junior college transfer and a redshirt freshman.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Ashton Daniels, 5th | Malachi Marshall, Jr. OR Kevin Sperry, So. |
| RB | Ousmane Kromah, So. | Quintrevion Wisner, Sr. |
| RB | Samuel Singleton Jr., Sr. | Amari Thomas, Fr. |
| WR | Duce Robinson, Sr. | Teriq Mallory, So. |
| WR | Micahi Danzy, Jr. | Jasen Lopez, Fr. |
| WR (slot) | Jayvan Boggs, So. | Tae’Shaun Gelsey, So. |
| TE | Desirrio Riles, Sr. OR Landen Thomas, Jr. | — |
| LT | Xavier Chaplin, 5th | Chastan Brown, So. |
| LG | André Otto, Sr. | Paul Bowling, So. |
| C | Bradyn Welch-Joiner, Sr. | Chavez Thompson, So. |
| RG | Nate Pabst, 5th | Sean Poret, So. |
| RT | Chimdia Nwaiwu, Sr. | Jonathan Daniels, Jr. |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Darryll Desir, So. | Deamontae Diggs, 5th |
| DT | Daniel Lyons, 5th | Kevin Wynn, So. OR Jordan Sanders, 5th |
| DT | Mandrell Desir, So. | Deante McCray, 5th |
| Jack | Rylan Kennedy, Sr. | Jalen Anderson, Jr. |
| LB | Chris Jones, Jr. | Izayia Williams, Fr. |
| LB | Omar Graham Jr., 5th | Mikai Gbayor, 5th |
| LB | Caleb LaVallee, Sr. OR Blake Nichelson, Sr. | — |
| CB | Ja’Bril Rawls | Charles Lester III, Jr. |
| CB | Quindarrius Jones, Sr. | Nehemiah Chandler, Jr. |
| Rover | Ashlynd Barker, 5th | Jordan Crutchfield, Fr. OR Donny Hiebert, Sr. |
| S | CJ Richard Jr., Jr. OR K.J. Kirkland, Sr. | — |
| Nickel | Ma’Khi Jones, So. | Ricky Knight III, Jr. |
Special Teams
| K | Gabe Panikowski, 5th; Conor McAneney |
| P | Daniel Hughes, Sr.; Ethan Post |
| LS / H | Caleb Bowers; Carter Jula holds |
| KR | Samuel Singleton Jr.; Micahi Danzy |
| PR | Jasen Lopez; Jayvan Boggs |
Position Breakdown
Quarterback. Ashton Daniels was named the starter at the end of spring. The backup is a co listing between junior college transfer Malachi Marshall, whom Norvell has praised, and redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry.
Running back. Florida State lists two starting backs: Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr., who also returns kicks. Quintrevion Wisner will see a fair amount of work behind Kromah.
Receiver. Duce Robinson is on the Biletnikoff and Maxwell watch lists after a 1,000 yard season. Micahi Danzy led the country with six 50 yard plays in 2025 in his first year at receiver. Jayvan Boggs won the slot. Freshman Jasen Lopez is the punt returner and Danzy’s backup.
Tight end. Desirrio Riles OR Landen Thomas.
Offensive line. The five that opened Week 0: Xavier Chaplin, André Otto, Bradyn Welch-Joiner, Nate Pabst, Chimdia Nwaiwu. This was the biggest question of the offseason; Norvell now has one game of evidence before SMU.
Defensive front. Tony White’s scheme uses an end, two tackles and a Jack. Sophomores Darryll and Mandrell Desir start on the line, Daniel Lyons is the other tackle, and Rylan Kennedy is the Jack.
Linebacker. Three starters: Chris Jones, Omar Graham Jr., and Caleb LaVallee OR Blake Nichelson.
Secondary. Ja’Bril Rawls and Quindarrius Jones at corner, Ashlynd Barker at rover, Ma’Khi Jones at nickel, and CJ Richard Jr. OR K.J. Kirkland at the single safety spot.
The Bottom Line
Florida State’s Week 0 chart answered the quarterback, line and receiver questions; the co listings at backup quarterback, tight end, one linebacker and safety are what Norvell will keep to himself before SMU. The Monday opener is previewed at SMU vs. Florida State and the full slate is on our Florida State schedule. This page is updated with each game day chart.