Florida State is a 45.5-point favorite over Central Arkansas on Saturday. The Bears, Mike Norvell’s alma mater, are 2-2 on the season.

Games against FCS opponents are necessary to fill out FSU’s schedule annually, even if they have often been lopsided.

FSU also has a chance to evaluate the full depth chart, from the Nos. 2 or 3 options at each position. It’s a chance for older veterans who don’t enjoy much playing time to get a few drives. And it’s an opportunity to see how much the freshmen have absorbed of the playbook and what level of comfort they have for playing within the scheme.

The Seminoles have some important ACC games ahead, playing host to Virginia before traveling to Louisville on a Friday (Oct. 9) and playing at Miami on Oct. 17 before the second bye week.

Because the opener against New Mexico State was a close one into the fourth quarter, FSU didn’t get a good look at the backups. The game against Central Arkansas (3 p.m. on ACC Network) is an ideal time for coaches to evaluate depth on offense and defense.

Today, we’ll take a look at the offense. On Friday, we’ll look at the defense. Here’s one reserve at each position group that we’re curious about watching.

Quarterback: Malachi Marshall

Coach Mike Norvell has been cautious about discussing the competition between Malachi Marshall and Kevin Sperry. Norvell admitted that the backups are just a play away from being needed. The Osceola wrote about this earlier in the week, outlining that we think Marshall and Sperry each should earn a few drives, but there’s curiosity about both quarterbacks. 

Marshall has a strong arm and is a leader, helping his Iowa Western win the JUCO national title. He has added weight to his 6-foot-2 frame but is still too slender to take too many hits. He’s been praised for his work ethic and how he’s learned the offense. Marshall is viewed as a quarterback with significant upside, and he should be viewed as a quarterback to build around for the future for Norvell (or whoever is the head coach) in 2027.

Running back: Amari Thomas

FSU has leaned heavily on Kromah (53 carries for 311 yards and three touchdowns), Daniels (37 carries, 108 yards, four touchdowns) and Samuel Singleton Jr. (20 carries, 73 yards, one touchdown) for the majority of the team’s 119 carries. The dynamic will shift with Singleton out for an extended period. Tre Wisner has just five carries for 34 yards, and he should earn significant snaps on Saturday.

But we’re also curious about Amari Thomas, who is 5-11 and 200 pounds. Thomas was a four-star prospect in 2025, picking up 1,799 yards and 21 touchdowns. FSU won a battle with South Carolina for Thomas, who could be the No. 3 back in the rotation (along with Kromah and Wisner) for the near future.

Wide receiver: Jasen Lopez

Jasen Lopez has been mostly used on punt returns, where he has 11 yards on two returns. The freshman receiver looks like a true slot option and had been praised for finding openings in FSU’s secondary in camp.

Lopez hasn’t lined up that often at receiver in FSU’s first three games but that should change Saturday. The receiver room might have three defined guys in Duce Robinson, Micahi Danzy and Jayvan Boggs), but Lopez has exceptional speed and elusiveness. He could develop into another fast, young game-breaker and is too good not to be earning playing time as the season progresses.

Tight end: Chase Loftin

Loftin is filling out (6-6, 235 pounds) as he develops into the ideal tight end frame. His high school film showed good footwork and consistent hands. He has just one catch for eight yards in his second season at FSU.

The coaching staff favors veterans like Desirio Riles and Landen Thomas but Loftin earned some playing time at Alabama and he had a catch for eight yards. There are other young options in the room that we’d like to see, too, true freshmen Corbyn Fordham and Xavier Tiller. 

Offensive line: Jonathan Daniels

Daniels earned 81 offensive snaps in 2025, including some against Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, NC State and Florida. It’s his third year at FSU and he’s up to 6-4 and 321 pounds. Daniels is viewed as a “next man up” at tackle and needs more playing time.

Beyond Daniels, there are plenty of offensive linemen that have been developing under assistant coach Herb Hand. Chavez Thompson should see time at center, and the coaches feel Sean Poret has the versatility to play a few spots. Chastan Brown (6-8, 300) is also a second-year lineman that could see time at tackle. While not a younger lineman, it would make sense that Chimdia Nwaiwu sees some playing time at right tackle after he started there in FSU’s first two games.

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