Florida State's season-opening dud against Georgia Tech shows transfer portal success can't patch every hole

The Seminoles' over-reliance on the portal for playmakers didn't prove effective against Georgia Tech

By Shehan Jeyarajah Aug 24, 2024 at 4:39 pm ET• 3 min read

No. 10 Florida State built a College Football Playoff-caliber roster in 2023 by threading a perfect needle between transfer portal additions and internal development. Naturally, the Seminoles tried the strategy again over the offseason, reeling in 17 transfers and the No. 7 transfer class in the nation. 

But if a 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, for Week 0 is any indication, lightning rarely strikes twice. 

The Seminoles didn't look "back" to business by any means against the Yellow Jackets, or back to the levels of Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher that made them a national power. Instead, they were "back" to looking like a group playing together for the first time ever, more reminiscent of Mike Norvell's early years. 

Looking down the roster, it's easy to see why. 

The Seminoles replaced experienced quarterback Jordan Travis with Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei. He failed to reach 200 yards passing. Wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson are in the NFL. Top transfer Malik Benson had just 39 yards receiving. Transfer running back Roydell Williams mustered just 3.2 yards per carry. A full 58 of Florida State's 98 yards rushing came on the first scripted drive of the game.