Florida State is back. Well, at least on Sundays it is.
If you spent any time watching the NFL over the last few months, you likely noticed a garnet and gold streak across your screen. It wasn't just Jalen Ramsey being Jalen Ramsey, either. The 2024 and 2025 draft cycles completely refilled the league’s cupboards with "Pro 'Noles," ending a weirdly quiet stretch for the program.
Honestly, it’s about time.
For a few years there, the narrative was that FSU had lost its "LGU" (Linebacker General University) or "DBU" status. People were looking at the rosters and seeing fewer and fewer starters from Tallahassee. But the 2024 season was a massive turning point. Ten players drafted. That was the most in the ACC. Fast forward to early 2026, and we are seeing those guys not just rostered, but actually wrecking games.
FSU Football Players in the NFL: The New Guard Takes Over
The conversation starts with Jared Verse. If you haven't been paying attention to the Los Angeles Rams, you’re missing a masterclass in power rushing. Verse didn't just walk into the league; he kicked the door down.
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Winning the 2024 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year wasn't a fluke. Verse finished his rookie campaign with a ridiculous 17.2% pressure rate. To put that in perspective, only Micah Parsons had a higher rate as a rookie in the Next Gen Stats era. He followed that up by earning another Pro Bowl nod for the 2025-2026 season. Basically, if you’re an NFL offensive tackle, Jared Verse is currently your worst nightmare.
Then there’s Keon Coleman. We all loved the yellow jacket and the Macy’s shopping stories, but the kid can actually play. In his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills (2024), he snagged 29 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns. He’s become that big-bodied target Josh Allen desperately needed after the Diggs era ended. He isn't the fastest guy on the track—his 4.61 Combine time told us that—but his play speed and "above the rim" ability are elite.
The Veterans Still Holding It Down
While the rookies are flashy, the old heads are still making life miserable for quarterbacks.
- Jalen Ramsey: Now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ramsey is still a problem at 31 years old. He allowed a measly 51.0 passer rating in man coverage during the 2024 season. He just earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection for the 2026 game. The guy is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, period.
- Derwin James: Still the heartbeat of the Chargers' defense. He just locked in his fifth Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro honors for the 2025 season. He’s one of those rare players who plays 10% of his snaps at four different positions: slot, safety, linebacker, and on the line.
- Brian Burns: Now rocking the New York Giants blue, Burns was named a starter for the 2026 Pro Bowl. He remains one of the most consistent edge threats in the game.
The 2025 Draft and the Jets Connection
It’s getting a little weird in New York. The Jets seem to have a permanent scout stationed in Tallahassee. They already had Jermaine Johnson (a Pro Bowler in his own right) and took a flyer on quarterback Jordan Travis in the 2024 fifth round.
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Then came the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Jets went back to the well and grabbed cornerback Azareye'h Thomas in the third round. Thomas is a 6'2" physical specimen who fits exactly what modern NFL coordinators want in a press-man corner. Watching him develop alongside Sauce Gardner is going to be fascinating for FSU fans.
Why FSU's NFL Presence Actually Matters for Recruiting
NFL success is the ultimate recruiting tool. When Mike Norvell sits in a living room now, he isn't just talking about "climbing." He’s pointing at the TV.
He can point to Josh Sweat, who recently moved to the Arizona Cardinals after a massive stint in Philly, including a Super Bowl victory where he racked up 2.5 sacks. He can point to Trey Benson, who is carving out a role as a home-run threat in the backfield.
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There are currently 31 active NFL players from Florida State. That number is trending up for the first time in nearly a decade.
Key Stats for Pro 'Noles (2025-2026 Season)
| Player | Team | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Jared Verse | Rams | 2x Pro Bowler; 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year |
| Derwin James | Chargers | 2025 Second-Team All-Pro; 94 tackles in '25 |
| Jalen Ramsey | Steelers | 8x Pro Bowler; 116 career pass deflections |
| Josh Sweat | Cardinals | 8.0 sacks in 2024; Super Bowl Champion |
The "Travis" Factor: What Happened to Jordan?
A lot of people keep asking about Jordan Travis. His leg injury at the end of the 2023 college season was devastating, and his rookie year with the Jets was mostly a "redshirt" season to get healthy. By early 2026, he’s been active on the roster, showing flashes in the preseason and serving as a high-level backup. The path for FSU quarterbacks in the NFL has always been rocky (see: Christian Ponder or EJ Manuel), but Travis has the mobility and the IQ that might actually stick in the modern league.
What Most People Get Wrong About FSU in the NFL
There is this misconception that FSU only produces defensive backs. Sure, Ramsey and James are the headliners. But look at the trenches.
Braden Fiske has been a revelation for the Rams. At the 2024 Combine, he led all defensive tackles in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. That athleticism translated. He’s becoming a dominant interior penetrator. Between Fiske, Verse, and Brian Burns, FSU is quietly becoming a "DL University" just as much as a secondary factory.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're following FSU football players in the NFL, here is how you should be tracking them this year:
- Watch the Rams: With Verse and Fiske, the Rams are basically "FSU West." They use them in creative stunts that mirror what they did in Tallahassee.
- Fantasy Value: Keep an eye on Keon Coleman in Year 2. His target share in Buffalo is expected to skyrocket as he becomes the undisputed WR1.
- Pro Bowl Voting: FSU fans are notoriously good at "stuffing the ballot." If you want to see guys like Azareye'h Thomas or Jermaine Johnson get their flowers, the fan vote opens up every December.
- Jersey Moves: If you’re a collector, wait for the off-season. With players like Josh Sweat and Jalen Ramsey moving teams recently, older jerseys are hitting the clearance racks, but their legacy in the league is only growing.
The pipeline is officially open again. Whether it's the legendary veterans like Ramsey or the explosive new era led by Verse, the Seminole brand is as strong as it’s been in twenty years.