Like with any other program, Florida State has had a handful of highly-touted prospects who didn’t pan out during their time in Tallahassee. Many have found new programs that they look to make an impact on.
Under first-year head coach Willie Taggart, the Seminoles will look to rebound from their worst finish in eight years. A number of other former Florida State players however, will try to make their mark elsewhere in the college ranks. Here are five FSU transfers who will look to make a name for themselves on the FBS level:
De’Andre Johnson, QB, Florida Atlantic
A former Mr. Football in the state of Florida, De’Andre Johnson’s stay at FSU will always marred by his decision to hit a woman at a Tallahassee bar, which was captured on video. After a stint in junior college, Johnson is expected to be the starter for a prolific Florida Atlantic offense under head coach Lane Kiffin. Sharing a backfield with the nation’s touchdown leader in Devin Singletary, Johnson will look to lead an offense that averaged nearly 41 points per game last season.
Mavin Saunders, TE, Kansas
After sharing the tight end role with Ryan Izzo during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Mavin Saunders was held without a catch as a redshirt junior for the Seminoles last season. At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, Saunders is big and athletic, but just hasn’t put it all together yet. For a 1-11 Kansas team that was held to fewer than 10 points four times last season and shut out twice, Saunders could be a big addition.
Brock Ruble, T, Toledo
It’s no secret that Brock Ruble struggled against the likes of Harold Landry, Bradley Chubb and Dexter Lawrence, but with 26 games under his belt and 13 starts, Ruble will bring a wealth of experience to Toledo. At 6-8 and 325 pounds, Ruble has an NFL body, but has struggled — at times mightily — in pass protection. Against a lesser talent pool in the MAC, Ruble could be a real difference-maker for the Rockets.
Sh’Mar Kilby-Lane, LB, Mississippi State
Mostly a special teams player during his time at Florida State, Sh’Mar Kilby-Lane has a high motor and high ceiling. After going the junior college route, Kilby-Lane will have a chance to make a name for himself in Starkville. Kilby-Lane made four tackles in 2015, but was academically ineligible the following season for the Seminoles.
Marcus Lewis, CB, Maryland
Marcus Lewis started early on for Florida State during the 2016 season, but battled injury throughout the remainder of the campaign and was largely ineffective. Lewis will have two years to make his mark closer to home in College Park. By all accounts, Lewis had a strong spring for the Terrapins and returned an interception for a touchdown in the spring game. Lewis will try to help a Maryland defense that finished 73rd against the pass and 86th in total defense.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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