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Former Florida State Defensive Lineman To Play Against FSU In First Game in 2024

Originally posted on FanNation NoleGameDay
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated 1/1/24

Florida State's roster is going to look fairly different in 2024 as a large number of players have declared for the NFL Draft or entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. There are over 20 departures to this point and quite a few of them were surprises.

Since testing the transfer waters in December, former Seminole defensive tackle Ayobami Tifase has fielded interest from multiple FBS programs. Leading up to the New Year, he finally made his decision as Tifase committed to Georgia Tech over offers from schools such as Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, FAU, Marshall, Coastal Carolina, Charlotte, and FAMU.

It's no surprise that Tifase landed with another "Power Five" program as he's an immensely talented prospect who has been set back by nagging injuries in a room that is filled with experience and depth in Tallahassee. With that being said, it is interesting that he chose to not only remain in the ACC but also join Georgia Tech.

Florida State will kick off its upcoming campaign against the Yellow Jackets in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday, August 24, 2024. The two teams will meet in Aviva Stadium for what will also mark each of their respective conference openers - assuming the Seminoles are still in the ACC at that point.

Tifase earned limited snaps in three games during the 2023 season. He made his lone tackle of the year in FSU's win against Syracuse in October. Tifase was only on the field for 20 total snaps. He was ineligible to play the previous season after reclassifying to the 2022 class and signing with the Seminoles over Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and UConn in the summer.

As of now, Florida State is only projected to return four scholarship defensive tackles in 2024; redshirt junior Darrell Jackson, redshirt junior Joshua Farmer, redshirt sophomore Daniel Lyons, and true freshman KJ Sampson. Redshirt senior Dennis Briggs is in the process of applying for a seventh season of eligibility while the program also added three-star Jamorie Flagg and three-star D'Nas White during the Early Signing Period. Flagg and White will enroll in the summer.

Outside of Tifase, the Seminoles have seen running back quarterback Tate Rodemaker, quarterback AJ Duffy (San Diego State), Rodney Hill (FAMU), running back CJ Campbell (FAU), tight end Markeston Douglas (Arizona State), tight end Preston Daniel, offensive lineman Bless Harris (TCU), offensive lineman Thomas Schrader, offensive lineman Daughtry Richardson (FAU), offensive lineman Qae'shon Sapp (FAMU), defensive tackle Malcolm Ray, linebacker DJ Lundy (Colorado), linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner, and kicker Tyler Keltner enter the portal since the conclusion of the regular season and ACC Championship.

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.