Honestly, if you had told a Florida State fan in mid-2025 that the biggest headache of the next offseason would involve two freshmen from Miami, they probably wouldn't have believed you. But here we are. Darryll and Mandrell Desir, the twin defensive line tandem that felt like the absolute steal of the 2025 recruiting class, are officially the most talked-about names in the transfer portal.
It’s messy. It’s complicated. And it’s a perfect microcosm of why college football in 2026 feels like the Wild West.
One minute, these guys were the "building blocks" of a rejuvenated Noles defense. The next, they're entering the portal as a package deal, leaving fans in Tallahassee wondering if they just watched a massive negotiation tactic blow up in real-time.
The Rise of the Desir Twins
The backstory here is pure South Florida football. Coming out of Miami Norland, Darryll and Mandrell Desir weren't the highest-rated recruits on paper—at least not initially. Mandrell was often tagged as a three-star prospect, while Darryll hovered around that four-star fringe. They were committed to UCF for a long time. People called UCF "TwinU" because they had a history of landing brothers.
Then Mike Norvell and his staff did what they do. They flipped them.
When they signed with FSU in late 2024, it felt like a depth move. But the second they stepped on campus in early 2025, everything changed. Mandrell Desir, in particular, didn't just play; he dominated. He was a True Freshman All-American, racking up 6.5 sacks—numbers that put him in the same breath as FSU legends like Ron Simmons and Brian Burns.
Darryll wasn't a slouch either. He played in all 12 games, started two, and looked every bit the part of a future Sunday player. Together, they weren't just brothers; they were a 520-pound problem for opposing offensive coordinators.
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Why the Portal? The 2026 NIL Reality
So, why would two kids who were clearly "the guys" for the future want to leave?
Money. Well, "market value" if we're being polite.
By January 5, 2026, news broke that the twins were entering the transfer portal. The timing was brutal. The FSU fanbase, already on edge after a rocky couple of seasons, basically went into a tailspin. There are reports that their agency, LAA Sports Entertainment, was pushing for a massive pay increase following Mandrell’s breakout season.
The rumor mill in Tallahassee suggests the twins wanted to be paid the same. This created a weird friction. Mandrell was an All-American. Darryll was a very good rotational piece. In a professionalized locker room, do you pay the "package deal" an equal rate, or do you pay for individual production?
"There's no way Darryll should get the same as Mandrell," one fan noted on social media, echoing a sentiment that has become a flashpoint for the debate.
It’s a tough spot for FSU. If they pay up, they risk alienating other veterans. If they don't, they lose two of the most promising pass rushers in the country. As of mid-January 2026, the negotiations seem to have hit a wall, and schools like Georgia are already circling, looking to add that "brotherhood" dynamic to their own roster.
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The Darrell Jackson Jr. Factor
One thing a lot of analysts are pointing out—and they're right to—is that the Desir twins didn't play in a vacuum. They had Darrell Jackson Jr. eating up double teams in the middle.
Jackson is a mountain of a human. When you have a future NFL defensive tackle taking up two gaps, life is easy for edge rushers. Some skeptics wonder if Darryll and Mandrell Desir can replicate that 2025 production at a different school without an elite interior presence to help them out.
It’s a fair question.
If they land at a place like Georgia or Ohio State, they’ll have that support. If they go somewhere where they have to be the primary focus of every blocking scheme, we might see those sack numbers dip.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Situation
People love to call these kids "greedy." That’s the easy narrative. But look at it from their side for a second.
Mandrell Desir was one of the most productive freshmen in the nation. In any other "job," if you're a top-10 performer in the country, you ask for a raise. The twins have seen how quickly careers can end. They’re from Miami; they know the business of football.
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The real issue isn't the players; it's the lack of structure. FSU is in a "lose-lose" situation because the portal window is short and the stakes are high. If they let the twins walk, the defense takes a massive step back in 2026.
Tracking the Next Move
Where do they end up?
If they don't return to Tallahassee—which is looking less likely by the day—keep an eye on the following:
- Georgia: Kirby Smart loves "culture" fits and has already had success with sets of brothers.
- Miami: The "coming home" narrative is always strong with Norland kids.
- Colorado: Deion Sanders is never shy about poaching high-end talent from the portal.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Darryll and Mandrell Desir saga, here is how to read between the lines:
- Watch the "Package" Language: If a school only offers for one, the deal likely falls through. They have made it clear they are a duo.
- Look at the Interior DL: Don't just look at where the twins go; look at who is playing DT at that school. Their success depends on it.
- Check the Agency Moves: LAA Sports Ent is representing both. Their track record suggests they will hold out for the highest bidder, regardless of "loyalty" to a program.
The reality of 2026 is that talent is a commodity. The Desir twins are a premium product. Whether they're wearing garnet and gold or different colors next fall, their impact on the field is undeniable. The only question left is who is willing to pay the price for it.
To keep up with the latest portal entries and NIL valuations for the 2026 season, monitoring the official NCAA Transfer Portal database and On3’s NIL trackers is the most reliable way to see where the paperwork actually lands. Stay tuned to local Tallahassee beats like Noles247 or Warchant for the final word on their enrollment status before the spring deadline.