⚡ CFB Dashboard

Mike Norvell said Florida State's Sam Singleton will miss an extended period after Alabama, with only hope of returning later in the 2026 season. Tre Wisner has more opportunity after his camp injuries, and freshman Amari Thomas can earn work; neither a return date nor a fixed replacement workload was announced.

Norvell expected K.J. Kirkland back fully after being available against Alabama and expected Donny Hiebert back after missing that game. Those are coach expectations for experienced defensive-back depth, not confirmed game-day clearance; younger Max Redmon and Antonio Cromartie had been pressed into action.

After recurring alignment and communication failures through three 2026 games, Norvell said Florida State must reevaluate how much it asks defenders to do. He identified missing Cover 3 positioning and an edge blitz paired with an opposite-edge pinch that left the perimeter uncovered; this is a simplification review, not an announced new defensive system.