Since taking the Florida State job last December, Mike Norvell has utilized a very straightforward approach to roster construction. This is arguably the most important task of a college coach: roster management. It blends both day-to-day maintenance and macro-planning. In Norvell’s case, the 38-year-old coach isolated roster deficiencies and sought to address his program’s needs.
A big part of this process has been the transfer portal; it didn’t take long for Norvell to starting adding pieces. Only a few weeks into his tenure, Norvell landed commitments from running back Jashaun Corbin (Texas A&M), defensive tackle Jarrett Jackson (Louisville) and offensive tackle Devontay Love-Taylor (FIU).
Throughout the winter and into the spring and summer, FSU has continued to added players via the transfer portal, including several Power 5 talents.
Jashaun Corbin – RB, Texas A&M
- Immediately eligible for 2020 season
- Redshirt sophomore with 3 years of eligibility
- 14 career games
- 483 yards rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
- In 2018, he served as the backup to Trayveon Williams (346 rushing yards, 5.7 per carry)
- Served as the kick returner for the Aggies, scored on a 100-yard return against Arkansas
- Served as the kick returner for the Aggies, scored on a 100-yard return against Arkansas
Devontay Love-Taylor – OT, FIU
- Graduate transfer
- Two years of eligibility remaining
- Starter at RT at FIU
- Could see playing time as a starter at either tackle position in 2020
Jarrett Jackson – DT, Louisville
- Redshirt sophomore with 3 years of eligibility remaining
- Entered the transfer portal in Aug. 2019; didn’t play in the 2019 season
- As a true freshman in 2018: 16 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks (No. 1 on Louisville’s roster)
Cornel Jones – LB, Purdue
- Inside linebacker with size: 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
- Played at Purdue for 3 seasons (2017-19); will redshirt in 2020, return to field in 2021
- Career: recorded 99 total tackles and 3.5 sacks
- During the 2018 season:
- 12.5 tackles for loss
- 3.5 sacks
- 2-year starter for Purdue; limited to just 6 games in 2019 (injuries)
Deonte Williams – LB, Baylor
- Instantly eligible for 2020 season, with 2 years of eligibility remaining
- Redshirt in 2016; sat out 2019 season with severe arm injury
- In 2 seasons with Baylor (2017-18), appeared in 16 games (4 starts)
- 2017: 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 2 QB hurries
- 2018: 11 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Meiko Dotson – DB, FAU
- Grad transfer, immediately eligible for 2020
- Spent 2 years at Georgia Tech (2015-16), redshirt in 2015
- Led the FBS in 2019 with 9 interceptions
- FAU led the nation in turnovers gained
Meiko Dotson snags his 9th INT of the season (MOST IN FBS) for @FAU_football 😤 pic.twitter.com/g9UvnmVS6q
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 7, 2019
Fabien Lovett – DT, Mississippi State
- Former 3-star prospect (2018), played in 2 games during the 2018 season (redshirt)
- Plans to apply for immediate eligibility
- 3 seasons of eligibility remaining
- During the 2019 season
- 13 games: recorded 19 tackles, including 2.5 for loss
Okay, what Norvell is building is special.
When will FSU be ACC champs again?
2020, 2021, 2022 or later? https://t.co/xdSt4qswx2
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) April 13, 2020
Jordan Wilson – TE, UCLA
- Graduate transfer, immediately eligible in 2020
- In 3 seasons with UCLA — caught 25 passes for 244 yards (9.8 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns.
- Wilson appeared in 34 games during his career with the Bruins
Jarrian Jones – DB, Mississippi State
- As a true freshman, Jones played in 11 games: the former 4-star recruit recorded 12 total tackles, 2 pass break-ups and 1 fumble recovery
- The 6-foot-1 safety may have to sit the 2020 season out; it’s unknown if he will be immediately eligible to play at FSU
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