Florida State lands former Troy Trojan offensive lineman Paul Bowling.
Florida State announced Wednesday that they have signed former Troy Trojan offensive lineman Paul Bowling out of the transfer portal. He has three years of eligibility left.
Bowling is the third offensive lineman that FSU has landed this week. He joins Bowling Green's Nate Pabst and Purdue's Bradyn Joiner.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder played one season at Troy. He logged in 752 snaps as a freshman in 2025. Bowling started nine games at center and three games left guard. Florida State wants to play him at either center or guard, which means he and Joiner, who also played center and guard at Auburn and Purdue, will give the Seminoles some beef inside.
This is the eighth player the Noles have signed from the portal.
Here is some more information about Bowling from his former team’s website.
He was the first true freshman to start the season opener at center in Troy’s recorded history. He was also just the second to start on the offensive line. He allowed just three sacks in 451 passing situations and was graded as a 68.9 pass blocker per PFF, which was second on the team.
He also posted four 100 percent efficacy games (Clemson, South Alabama, Georgia State, and Southern Miss). He injured himself on the first play at Texas State and missed the La Monroe game the following week, and did participate in Troy’s bowl game, opting out. The most important stat may be that he did not allow a sack in 9-of-11 games he started this season.
That’s an important stat to take in and be impressed with as a Noles fan because the offensive line seems to struggle at times protecting the quarterback, which cost FSU several games down the stretch, which the team has an opportunity to win.
A lot of the FSU losses, especially toward the end of the season, were caused by a lack of good offensive plays and a lack of protection on the offensive line. A play here or there by the line could have made a difference in some of those close losses.
Now, it appears that head coach Mike Norvell seems to understand that the Seminoles' road to a comeback in 2026 will start upfront with the offensive line. The pieces he is putting together, along with the right quarterback under center, may be just the energy this team needs.