Five Transfers to Watch at the 2024 FSU Football Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase

With the Spring Showcase quickly approaching, who will shine on April 20?

With the FSU Annual Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase a little under a week away, Florida State fans should be excited and eager to see the 14 transfers the Seminoles brought in who enrolled this spring. Although the event hasn't been a full scrimmage in the past, there should be plenty of opportunity to get a glimpse of the new faces of Tribe 24.

READ MORE: Mike Norvell Talks Growth of FSU Football After Impressive Showing on Offense

The 'Noles have the No. 4 transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports, and brought in a remarkable haul aimed at replenishing the talent departing for the 2024 NFL Draft. With such an influx of talent across the board, selecting just five standouts was a challenge.

Here's a rundown of five transfers to keep an eye on this upcoming weekend:

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei

The obvious choice would be Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei, as the Seminoles are looking to replace Heisman finalist Jordan Travis under center. There has been fierce competition between Uiagalelei and sophomore Brock Glenn, who has made major improvements in his game this past offseason. Uiagalelei has had a strong end of camp and strung together a few impressive practices showcasing his arm strength and playmaking ability.

Uiagalelei has appeared in 48 games, with 40 starts between Clemson and Oregon State. He walked away with a victory against FSU in 2022 during Clemson's 34-28 win inside Doak Campbell Stadium, but this will be his first time playing there in front of fans while wearing garnet and gold.

Watch for connections to Ja'Khi Douglas, Hykeem Williams, Jaylin Lucas, Lawrance Toafili, and another player on this list, Malik Benson.

Wide Receiver Malik Benson

Benson is one of five Alabama transfers that Florida State picked up in the portal. FSU will be looking to replace stars Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman. Although it will be hard to replace Wilson's 6'6'' 231-pound frame and 35 3/8'' inch wingspan, he's shown similar pass-catching ability in practice to Coleman and has an extra gear to go along with it. He played in all 14 games last season for the Crimson Tide, catching 13 passes for 132 yards and a score.

Benson could be the answer needed to pair with the returning roster and should have a strong showing during the showcase.

Defensive Back Earl Little, Jr.

On multiple occasions, Earl Little, Jr. has stood out in practice, particularly in coverage. During his two seasons at Alabama, he mainly contributed on special teams, with his tenure being marred by injury. Little possesses the versatility to play nickel, corner, or safety, so it will be interesting to see what position he lines up at, especially with former FSU defensive back Greedy Vance no longer with the team.

He played in 11 games during his two seasons at Alabama and recorded two tackles in a very deep defensive back room in Tuscaloosa. There will be opportunities for playing time with Jarrian Jones and Renardo Green, who have finished their college careers and are headed for the draft, so the showcase should allow everyone a chance to see where he fits in the system early on.

Defensive End Marvin Jones, Jr.

Jones' recruitment was a strange one, with him ultimately picking Georgia over Florida State. He injured himself early on in Athens but managed to play in 23 games with one start and tallied 16 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, and two sacks. The 'Noles will need big production out of Jones, who is looking to fill the void that Jared Verse left on the edge.

Jones, Jr., son of former Seminole great Marvin Jones, has an opportunity to get in the rotation early and pair with standout Patrick Payton. Head coach Mike Norvell said that 'he's on track' regarding Jones' accelerated growth throughout spring, and it will be interesting to see how well he performs under the lights in Tallahassee for the first time.

Running Back Jaylin Lucas

Brother of teammate Ja'khi Douglas, Jaylin Lucas brings quickness to the running back room and in the return game. Lucas, an All-American returner out of Indiana, has blazing speed and is slippery enough to make it through the tackles to get into the open field. Although they haven't typically done live kick returns during the showcase, watching the 5'9'', 175-pound speedster show off his talents will be something to look out for.

Honorable mentions: Roydell Williams (Alabama), Jalen Brown (LSU), TJ Fergeson (Alabama).

READ MORE: Defensive End Marvin Jones Jr. Discusses First Spring With FSU Football

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