Former FSU Football Defensive Lineman Lands With Rutgers Football From Transfer Portal

Originally posted on FanNation NoleGameDay
By Dustin Lewis | Last updated 1/7/24

Entering the NCAA Transfer Portal is not an end-all, be-all as a couple of different players from Florida State have returned to the team after choosing to explore their options elsewhere. That hasn't been the case this cycle as more than 15 Seminoles have moved on from the program.

On Saturday evening, former FSU defensive tackle Malcolm Ray announced that he was continuing his college career at Rutgers. Ray deliberated returning to Tallahassee and took an official visit to North Carolina State before deciding to play out his final year with the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers is losing at least one starter on its interior defensive line and there is an opening for Ray to step into a significant role with the program. There's a better chance that he will secure a starting spot in New Jersey as the Seminoles are bringing back talented defensive tackles such as redshirt junior Joshua Farmer, redshirt junior Darrell Jackson, and redshirt sophomore Daniel Lyons.

Ray contributed as a member of Florida State's defensive line rotation in 2023, recording 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection while appearing in all 14 games. He missed the entirety of spring practice while recovering from an injury. Ray was only on the field for 246 snaps, less than the amount of playing time he earned in 2021 and 2022, which is something that could've played into his decision to transfer.

The Florida native signed with the Seminoles as a three-star prospect in the 2019 class under former head coach Willie Taggart. He appeared in 42 games, with seven starts, while totaling 60 tackles, ten tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery while in garnet and gold.

Outside of Ray, the Seminoles saw quarterback Tate Rodemaker, quarterback AJ Duffy (San Diego State), Rodney Hill, running back CJ Campbell (FAU), tight end Markeston Douglas (Arizona State), tight end Preston Daniel, wide receiver Goldie Lawrence, offensive lineman Bless Harris (TCU), offensive lineman Thomas Schrader, offensive lineman Daughtry Richardson (FAU), offensive lineman Qae'shon Sapp (ECU), defensive end Gilber Edmond, defensive tackle Ayobami Tifase (Georgia Tech), linebacker DJ Lundy (Colorado), linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner, and kicker Tyler Keltner (Oklahoma) enter the portal during the recent transfer window that closed on January 4.