South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Reviewing the 2022 transfer class
Florida State’s Mike Norvell has leaned heavily on the transfer market as the third-year coach continued to reshape the roster. It’s a blueprint that paid off with its first
10-win season since 2016. Since he arrived in 2020, Norvell and his coaching staff have signed
41 transfers, and in many cases those players have made significant contributions on and off the field. The most notable is edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II, who joined the Seminoles in 2021. He finished leading the ACC in sacks
(11.5) and tackles for loss (17.5) and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s expectation coming in providing opportunity and it’s no different for transfer than it is for a high school [prospect],” Norvell said last month. “We’re looking for the right fit. Now some positions, we’ve needed to get maybe a little older or more experienced with guys that can come in and pair with some of the younger players. The message is the same for everybody. You’re going to come in and you’re given an opportunity, and what you do with that opportunity will result from what it looks like throughout the season.”
The Seminoles featured the No. 11 transfer class, according to
247Sports, with 14 players joining the roster in 2022. Of the 15 FSU players who earned all-conference this season, nine were former transfers and six came from the 2022 transfer class.
Here is a look at how each performed:
Trey Benson | RB | Oregon
Benson was a second-team, All-ACC selection after the redshirt sophomore led FSU with
990 rushing yards. It was the most rushing yards by a Seminoles running back since Cam Akers
(1,144) in 2019. His average of 6.43 yards per carry was the most in the ACC by a tailback with at least 100 carries and his 79 missed tackles forced led the conference. He led the team in kick returns (38.4 ypr), highlighted by a 93-yard run for a touchdown vs. Boston College (Sept. 24).
Tatum Bethune | LB | UCF
Bethune stepped into one of the two starting linebacker spots at the start of the season, finishing second on the team in total tackles (84) and tackles for loss (9.5). He also had 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups and a fumble recovery. The redshirt junior was named to an honorable mention All-ACC selection.
Dmitri Emmanuel | OL | Chattanooga
Emmanuel was one of two transfer offensive linemen to step into a starting role, with the redshirt senior taking over the right guard spot. According to Pro Football Focus, he was second on the unit in offensive snaps (843) and allowed 2 sacks and 10 hurries on 15 pressures.
Malik Feaster | CB | Jacksonville State
Feaster joined the team in August, registering 1 tackle in four games. He re-entered the transfer portal Dec. 22.
Bless Harris | OL | Lamar
Harris was one of four transfer offensive linemen but suffered a season-ending arm injury after the Seminoles’ opener against Duquesne. The redshirt junior tackle took part in 57 snaps at right tackle, allowing 2 pressure and 1 quarterback hurry.
Caziah Holmes | RB | Penn State
Holmes joined the roster in August and spent 2022 on the scout team, where he earned Scout Team Player of the Year.
Kayden Lyles | OL | Wisconsin
Lyles was expected to contend for a spot at center, but the redshirt senior suffered an undisclosed season-ending injury in fall camp.
Mycah Pittman | WR | Oregon
Pittman was one of four transfer receivers. The redshirt junior finished second on the team in receptions (32) and third in receiving yards (330) with 3 TDs. He took most of his snaps (87%) at the slot position and was the second-most targeted receiver in the lineup. Pittman earned honorable mention All-ACC after leading the team in punt return yards (169).
Deuce Spann | WR | Illinois
Spann finished with 8 catches for 64 yards in 12 games, splitting time at wideout and slot.
Jazston Turnetine | OL | South Carolina
The redshirt senior took over the starting duties at right tackle after Harris went down with a season-ending injury in the opener against Duquesne. Turnetine’s 651 offensive snaps were fifth on the team among offensive linemen and he allowed 2 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries on 21 pressures.
Greedy Vance | CB | Louisville
Vance led the Seminoles in interceptions (3) despite only participating in 153 snaps on defense. He finished with 16 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
Jared Verse | EDGE | Albany
For the second consecutive season, FSU landed an All-ACC edge rusher from the transfer portal, with Verse following in the shoes of Jermaine Johnson II. The redshirt sophomore was second in the conference in sacks (9) and tackles for loss (16.5). He led the team in pressures (36) and quarterback hurries (25).
Johnny Wilson | WR | Arizona State
Wilson was an All-ACC selection after leading Florida State in receptions (43), receiving yards (897) and receiving touchdowns (5). The redshirt sophomore was the top target in the FSU offense (76 targets) and was a significant big-play threat, finishing second in the conference in receptions (4) of 50-plus yards.
Winston Wright | WR | West Virginia
Wright missed the entire season after suffering a leg injury during a car accident last spring. He plans to return to the team in 2023.