The Florida State football team has had its share of turnover among the coaching staff and players. The 2025 season hasn’t quite gone the way Seminole fans were hoping, as the team sits at 5-5 overall but a disappointing 2-5 in ACC play.

With just two games left, and both on the road, FSU is one win away from bowl eligibility. Among the struggles in all phases of the game, the Seminoles’ secondary has been a surprising glimmer of hope. The linebackers and defensive line have underperformed in a lot of areas, and on Saturday night allowed 238 rushing yards.

The defensive backs, led by cornerbacks coach Patrick Surtain and safeties coach Evan Cooper, guide the room. Both are known as young coaches who relate well to players and have deep recruiting ties in South Florida, with Surtain producing NFL talent (among them AZ Thomas) and his son, Patrick Surtain Jr., is among the NFL’s best defensive backs.

Florida State has had its bad days in the defensive backfield, but they are an opportunistic bunch (11 interceptions) that will cover and hit. The Seminoles’ pass defense is 39th in the FBS (196.9 yards).

The defensive back room is led by redshirt junior Earl Little Jr. The Fort Lauderdale native has been a missile out of the defensive backfield and charges toward the line to fill gaps. Little’s hard hitting style and passion for the game has translated quite well in his new role this year.

Little has accounted for four interceptions on the year and had six tackles and one pass breakup in Saturday night’s victory over Virginia Tech. Despite the disappointing season, Little isn’t short of effort.

“Continue to keep fighting,” Little said. “Focus on our jobs individually and it put us in position to be successful tonight.”

Sophomore cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls has also been a positive development for the secondary this year, arguably one of FSU’s most improved defensive players. Rawls’ season ends with an injury he sustained against Clemson, coach Mike Norvell announced on Monday. Norvell expressed his confidence in true freshman corner Shamar Arnoux, who started against Virginia Tech and is in line to start at NC State.

Transfer Jerry Wilson has had his moments but he showed improved effort and made some big plays against Virginia Tech. Wilson is a pro’s pro and his work ethic doesn’t go unnoticed. Wilson has three interceptions on the year and two pass breakups.

The talented senior’s interception on Virginia Tech's third play was his third of the season and eighth of his career. Wilson's interception was FSU's 11th interception of the season and was FSU's first takeaway on an opening drive since an interception vs. Boston College in 2022.

Wilson added a 5-yard tackle for loss on 3rd-and-2 on the Hokies' next drive, his first of the season. Wilson's TFL forced a Virginia Tech field goal try from 54 yards that was missed short.

“Jerry comes to practice every day with the same intent and the same energy every single day,” Little said “He’s not the biggest dude out there on the field, that’s what I love about him. Jerry really is a dog and a great football player. He approaches every day the same way, week in and week out. He’s the first one in there and the last one to leave. He takes care of his body as well, so kudos to him. It finally showed up (Saturday) in a big way and it definitely helped to come out victorious tonight.”

Sophomore Edwin Joseph has had his moments as well but still needs more development to help with consistency. Joseph played out of control at times but has still accounted for four pass break ups and two interceptions.

Junior Ashlynd Barker has been a pleasant surprise this season and he may have improved his draft status. At 6-3 and 216 pounds, Barker has the ideal size for the next level. Barker had five tackles with 1.0 tackles for loss against the Hokies and ranks second on the team with 5.0 tackles for loss.

With so many ups and downs in the 2025 season, the Seminoles have a nice core of defensive backs that if all choose to come back, except for Wilson who has exhausted his eligibility, FSU could have one of the best secondaries in the conference. The Seminoles aren’t done as they press on towards the end of the year in hopes of making a bowl game. If the secondary continues to play well and continues to force turnovers and break up passes, the Seminoles could become bowl-eligible.

That is easier said than done as FSU hits the road to play at NC State on Friday at 8 p.m. Carter-Finley Stadium has been a house of horrors for Seminole fans since joining the ACC. FSU is also searching for its first road win since 2023.

“We've not played well on the road — it's time for us to go get that done,” Norvell said. “I do believe that they'll answer the call and excited for them, but also an honor to be able to coach this group.”

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