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Could Florida State have a non-negotiable player leading its defense when the Seminoles take the field in 2026?
What defines a non-negotiable player? It’s someone opposing coordinators lose sleep over, trying to figure out how to stop. Their talent and play-making ability force opponents to always keep track of where they are on the field yet are almost impossible to stop.
The Seminoles very well could have that type of player in Mandrell Desir. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound sophomore from Miami led Florida State in sacks last season as a true freshman with 6.5 while also adding 30 tackles, 13 solo tackles, a forced fumble and the first pass breakup of his career that came against rival Florida.
Desir’s 6.5 sacks were the third-most by a true freshman in Florida State history. His 6.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss led all ACC freshmen. The 55 yards lost on those plays behind the line of scrimmage were the most among Power Four freshmen and the fourth-most overall in the ACC.
Desir played in all 12 games and made two starts in 2025. His performance on the field earned him several honors, including FWAA Freshman All-American, All-ACC Honorable Mention, and True Freshman All-American honors from both On3 and 247Sports. He also received the Devaughn Darling Award, given to FSU’s top defensive freshman or newcomer of the year.
An impressive haul of awards for a player who, as Terrance Knighton put it, “didn’t know what the hell he was doing” a year ago. As Desir learned the nuances of playing the position at the college level, he had to rely mostly on his raw talent and physicality to make plays as a freshman.
“You know, Mandrell, he was making a lot of plays and still didn't know what the hell he was doing,” Knighton said. “A lot of plays he made last year were just off of raw talent, effort, and physicality.”
But now with a better understanding, Knighton, who coaches the defensive line, believes Desir is set to take a major step forward. If he does, he could be a major factor in Florida State overachieving in 2026.
“Now he understands the playbook and understands the defense and can play fast and doesn’t have to think, good luck to everyone up in front of him,” Knighton said.
And it’s not just the coaches taking notice. His teammates are as well. Auburn transfer center Bradyn Welch-Joiner, who lines up against Desir every day in practice, already sees him as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick.
"I feel like Mandrell is going to be a first-round draft pick, no brainer," Welch-Joiner said. "We're not going to see a guy like him during the season, I bet you that."
Welch-Joiner's comments come from having to line up against Desir every day in practice. And with a front-loaded strength of schedule to start the season, Florida State is going to need its front four led by Desir to step up right from the first whistle.
Before arriving in Tallahassee, Desir played his high school football at Miami Norland, where he totaled 148 tackles and 18 sacks over his final three seasons. That production earned him a three-star rating as an edge rusher coming out of high school.
According to the 247Sports Composite ranking, Desir was the No. 745-ranked player nationally and No. 56 among edge rushers. On3 ranked him No. 719 nationally, and Rivals had him as the No. 35 edge rusher.
Desir originally committed to UCF but ultimately flipped his commitment to Florida State along with his twin brother.
If Desir leaps many expect and becomes the force up front that can consistently make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, he could become the very definition of a non-negotiable player. More importantly, he could become exactly the type of defensive playmaker Florida State needs to prove the naysayers wrong in 2026.
Continue reading...
What defines a non-negotiable player? It’s someone opposing coordinators lose sleep over, trying to figure out how to stop. Their talent and play-making ability force opponents to always keep track of where they are on the field yet are almost impossible to stop.
The Seminoles very well could have that type of player in Mandrell Desir. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound sophomore from Miami led Florida State in sacks last season as a true freshman with 6.5 while also adding 30 tackles, 13 solo tackles, a forced fumble and the first pass breakup of his career that came against rival Florida.
Desir’s 6.5 sacks were the third-most by a true freshman in Florida State history. His 6.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss led all ACC freshmen. The 55 yards lost on those plays behind the line of scrimmage were the most among Power Four freshmen and the fourth-most overall in the ACC.
Desir played in all 12 games and made two starts in 2025. His performance on the field earned him several honors, including FWAA Freshman All-American, All-ACC Honorable Mention, and True Freshman All-American honors from both On3 and 247Sports. He also received the Devaughn Darling Award, given to FSU’s top defensive freshman or newcomer of the year.
An impressive haul of awards for a player who, as Terrance Knighton put it, “didn’t know what the hell he was doing” a year ago. As Desir learned the nuances of playing the position at the college level, he had to rely mostly on his raw talent and physicality to make plays as a freshman.
“You know, Mandrell, he was making a lot of plays and still didn't know what the hell he was doing,” Knighton said. “A lot of plays he made last year were just off of raw talent, effort, and physicality.”
But now with a better understanding, Knighton, who coaches the defensive line, believes Desir is set to take a major step forward. If he does, he could be a major factor in Florida State overachieving in 2026.
“Now he understands the playbook and understands the defense and can play fast and doesn’t have to think, good luck to everyone up in front of him,” Knighton said.
And it’s not just the coaches taking notice. His teammates are as well. Auburn transfer center Bradyn Welch-Joiner, who lines up against Desir every day in practice, already sees him as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick.
"I feel like Mandrell is going to be a first-round draft pick, no brainer," Welch-Joiner said. "We're not going to see a guy like him during the season, I bet you that."
Welch-Joiner's comments come from having to line up against Desir every day in practice. And with a front-loaded strength of schedule to start the season, Florida State is going to need its front four led by Desir to step up right from the first whistle.
Before arriving in Tallahassee, Desir played his high school football at Miami Norland, where he totaled 148 tackles and 18 sacks over his final three seasons. That production earned him a three-star rating as an edge rusher coming out of high school.
According to the 247Sports Composite ranking, Desir was the No. 745-ranked player nationally and No. 56 among edge rushers. On3 ranked him No. 719 nationally, and Rivals had him as the No. 35 edge rusher.
Desir originally committed to UCF but ultimately flipped his commitment to Florida State along with his twin brother.
If Desir leaps many expect and becomes the force up front that can consistently make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, he could become the very definition of a non-negotiable player. More importantly, he could become exactly the type of defensive playmaker Florida State needs to prove the naysayers wrong in 2026.
Continue reading...
