Florida State has had remarkable success in the transfer portal, specifically at the defensive end position. With players like first-rounder Jermaine Johnson II and projected first-rounder Jared Verse transferring in and becoming instant stars, the coaching staff’s ability to develop talent and provide a clear path to success in the NFL is evident, making FSU an attractive destination for ambitious players.
According to 247Sports, the Seminoles currently have the No. 4 recruiting class, and among #Tribe24 is West Virginia transfer defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye. Durojaiye is coming off of a breakout season in 2023, where he amassed 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Mountaineers. He currently has three years of eligibility remaining.
“I knew coming here, I could become a first-rounder,” Durojaiye said in an interview with the media on Thursday.
Two major factors in his decision to transfer were long-tenured defensive line coach Odell Haggins and defensive ends coach John Papuchis, who both have produced first-round picks in the NFL.
“The biggest thing that stood out to me was, like with coach Haggins, 95 percent of the D-linemen that come through Florida State: he’s touched, he’s developed, and a lot of those guys in the league – I know their names; I know what they do, and he played a big part in developing them,” Durojaiye said. “Coach JP is unbelievable. What he’s done with Jermaine and Jared Verse the past few years, and even a guy like Pat (Payton) who’s come here, those three guys – seeing what coach JP did with the three of them, I feel like he can turn me into a beast on the field.”
In high school, the 6’4”, 278-pound Deleware native was named Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year and, along with a State Championship, was named first-team All-District. Florida State has been on a meteoric rise, and Durojaiye said he wanted to be a part of that.
“I also want to win a National Championship. I won a State Championship in high school, and I want to win a National Championship in college. And I feel like Florida State is a place I can do that at.”
