Florida State’s 2024 recruiting class was the highest-ranked class that Mike Norvell has had in his tenure at FSU. It is a class that was ranked No. 11 by 247sports and ranked No. 12 by On3 with a blue-chip percentage of 61%.

It was a class that was the result of an undefeated 2023 campaign — a class that was meant to be a turning point in terms of the talent arriving in Tallahassee yearly in December.

Now two years later, more than half of that class is no longer with the program. With former four-stars Landen Thomas, Manasse Itete and Elijah Moore announcing their intentions to enter the transfer portal this week, 14 of the 23 signees from the class have either transferred, announced intentions to transfer in January, been suspended, or have left the program. Seven of those 14 are electing to transfer this offseason.

These players would be entering their third season at Florida State and would be in line for substantial playing time. But instead, Florida State will be scouring the portal to replace talent once again — a disappointing outcome for the class that was meant to limit FSU’s overindulgence in the portal.

During an impassioned midseason rant, Norvell cited multiple players within their second year as being contributors to the program, a statement that was meant to signify a positive future for the Seminoles.

“We've got double-digit guys that are high school signees within their second year that are significant contributors for us. Those guys are going to continue to grow and ascend, and I see that. We've got some guys that are upperclassmen that I think have a chance to be some of the better players in all of college football,” Norvell said.

Well, some of those same “contributors” are in the portal, so what now?

Five out of the top 10 signees (per On3 rankings) have already transferred or intend to transfer. Of the other five, Micahi Danzy, Lawayne McCoy and Amaree Williams have carved out significant roles. We have yet to see what Charles Lester or Jamari Howard can do on the field as both have mostly seen action on special teams.

Beyond those mentioned, most of the remaining crop of talent from the class are offensive linemen, which will be portaled over again as Florida State will need to bring in three to four transfer linemen at a minimum. This will be a crucial spring for those lineman, as they will fight to make the top 8-10 lineman on the two deep.

It may be dramatic to pronounce the 2024 class a failure, especially because the class has produced a rising star in Danzy and two very good football players in Williams and McCoy. But any additional returns on investment will be minimized by the quantity of departures.

It’s the latest batch of evidence you could file away to the Rolodex of reasons to be pessimistic about Florida State’s recruiting and the possibility of turning it around. But whereas you could summarize earlier recruiting classes as simply being missed evaluations, things are not as black and white.

These players underwent sweeping coaching changes in their first two seasons, with only tight ends coach Chris Thomsen and linebackers coach John Papuchis remaining from the staff that won an ACC title in 2023. Moreover, they took on entire scheme changes with new coordinators.

Could it be that after a year in these new schemes, that these players do not believe in what they are being asked to do on the field? Or are they not a fit for the scheme and are being encouraged to leave?

That certainly feels like the case for someone like Kam Davis, who was committed to Florida State for multiple years only to find himself shoved to the bottom of the depth chart after a coordinator change.

How plausible would it be to expect players to stick around on a roster when the position coach and coordinator that recruited them is no longer there? Oh, and the team has won seven games in two years (only four wins coming against P4 opponents), is a combined 0-6 against rivals, and haven’t won a road game since the 2024 class arrived on campus.

If you are an athlete coming to the end of a hypothetical two-year deal, why wouldn’t you look for other opportunities? So much of what you loved about Florida State when you signed apart from the brand are currently gone.

That covers the emotional possibilities and considerations. Removing that from the equation, maybe it comes down to dollars and cents. Perhaps it’s the evolution of NIL rearing its head again, where players are asking for a price that is too expensive given their production on the field - either encouraged by tampering opposition or by agents ‘certified’ by the NCAA.

Of course there is the possibility that all of this is leverage for a better deal and that some of those that are intending to enter the portal may return to Florida State, either with heavier pockets or a second wind. It is a constant game of cat and mouse between every program in the country. Roster turnover can be volatile and is increasingly more so for programs with their feet dangling above a fire.

Whether it be because of the circumstances of modern college football, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing contracts or just because Florida State misevaluated and mismanaged again, the fact that Mike Norvell’s best recruiting class has largely gone up in smoke only stacks the cards further against the coaching staff. This was the offseason where the Seminoles would be cashing in on their highly ranked class but instead have gained very little.

This is the infraction point for Norvell and his staff. It is the focus, it is the area that has lagged behind and is in need of serious improvement if the staff are to generate a turnaround. But if you were to talk yourself into a roadmap to success, it would start with retaining young, promising players during this portal window and Florida State is losing a lot - not just from the 2024 class but beyond.

A probable NFL defensive back in Ja’Bril Rawls, another starting safety in Ashlynd Barker, a starting tight end in Randy Pittman, a true freshman starter at wide receiver in Jayvan Boggs - in addition to those already discussed. Perhaps this is why Florida State signed 32 prospects in the 2026 cycle - an attempt to attack the problem with numbers.

The inability to capitalize on the 2024 class is an incredible disappointment — especially considering that the group of 23 prospects signed at the peak of the Norvell era at Florida State. This upcoming portal window continues to become more and more important for FSU. There was no guarantee that those departing would have lived up to expectations in 2026, but now there is greater stress on the Seminoles to find players who will.