Florida State Seminoles football has already had 6 players drafted in the top 100 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft — defensive end Jared Verse (No. 19 overall, Los Angeles Rams), wide receiver Keon Coleman (No. 33 overall, Buffalo Bills), defensive lineman Braden Fiske (No. 39 overall, Los Angeles Rams) safety Renardo Green (No. 64 overall, San Francisco 49ers), running back Trey Benson (No. 66 overall, Arizona Cardinals), defensive back Jarrian Jones (No. 96 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars),
Since the turn of the century, the Seminoles have had 11 players drafted twice (2013, 2015). This year, Florida State finds its best chance in a decade to break that record. 12 players received invites to the combine, and Akeem Dent dominated his Pro Day, which gives 13 players a serviceable chance to hear their names called.
While the combine does not guarantee a draft position, as over 300 players get invited for only 250 or so draft slots, it helps when almost all the players help their stock. A few players on the cusp of being drafted, Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach, exploded on the scene as the former weighed in at a strong 232 pounds, and the latter ran a blistering 4.47 40 time. Fabien Lovett looked like a run-stuffing machine with 35 1/2 inch arms good for the 87th percentile while still putting up 26 reps on the bench press during his Pro Day and he should find himself on an NFL franchise during the middle rounds of day three.
While breaking draft records always grabs fans’ attention, I think most will care more about the future of their star quarterback. Before the injury, it seemed like Travis would be an early day three pick, probably taken somewhere in the 4th or 5th round. However, his stock has taken a toll because of his surgeries, and his landing spot does not feel secure.
I expect Jordan Travis to get drafted in the sixth or seventh round later on Saturday. The videos he has posted and what he shared with the public make it seem like he is ahead of schedule and should be able to get back to 100%. He met with teams during the combine and just took a visit with the New York Jets, who traded away their backup QB Zach Wilson a couple of days ago. Before the season, franchises were concerned with his age and how much more he could raise his ceiling, and those worries are still valid.
However, his intangibles and big-play ability make it likely that he will find himself on a team before the end of the weekend.
