Veteran Florida State Defensive Lineman Announces Intentions To Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

The Seminoles have lost an experienced member of their roster to the transfer portal.

Seven days have passed since the NCAA Transfer Portal window opened for business and over 1,300 players have declared their intentions to explore their options elsewhere. There will be a lot of movement around the country over the next couple of weeks.

On Monday evening, Florida State defensive tackle Malcolm Ray announced on social media that he is planning to enter the transfer portal. Ray has been with the program for the last five years and was projected to be the most experienced interior defensive lineman on the roster in 2024.

"Nole Nation, I'm sorry. I'm planning on entering the transfer portal."

This move comes as somewhat of a surprise considering that Ray was a consistent face in the rotation over the last three years. His role diminished some this past season with the addition of Braden Fiske, the growth of Joshua Farmer, and due to Dennis Briggs moving back inside. Ray still appeared in all 13 games, recording 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one pass deflection.

The Florida native only played 246 snaps, less than the amount of time he was on the field in 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, Farmer, Fiske, and Fabien Lovett all earned over 335 snaps.

Florida State Specialist Enters NCAA Transfer Portal After One Year With Program

Ray originally signed with the Seminoles as a three-star recruit in the 2019 class under former head coach Willie Taggart. He recorded a career-high 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in just ten appearances in 2021. Ray finishes his time in Tallahassee with 59 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery in 42 games, with seven starts.

With Ray moving on, the Seminoles have four scholarship defensive tackles eligible to return next season; junior Darrell Jackson, redshirt sophomore Joshua Farmer, redshirt freshman Daniel Lyons, and true freshman KJ Sampson. It's possible that Briggs earns an extra season of eligibility after missing the majority of 2021 due to an injury. 

The team will add three-star Jamorie Flagg and potentially another prospect in the high school signing class. It's now paramount for Florida State to search for an experienced option in the portal.

Outside of Ray, the Seminoles have seen quarterback AJ Duffy, running back CJ Campbell, tight end Markeston Douglas, tight end Preston Daniel, offensive lineman Bless Harris, offensive lineman Thomas Schrader, offensive lineman Daughtry Richardson, offensive lineman Qae'shon Sapp, defensive tackle Ayobami Tifase, linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner, and kicker Tyler Keltner enter the portal.

Star defensive end Patrick Payton previously declared his intentions to do so but removed the references on social media and never officially appeared in the database.

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