Mike Norvell Adds Beef with Signing of Xavier Chaplin

Florida State football has signed former Auburn Tiger offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin from the transfer portal. 

Chaplin will be a redshirt senior and has one year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-7, 348-pound left tackle has started the last 37 games of his career while playing at Virginia Tech and Auburn. In his career, he has been named honorable mention All-ACC (2024), ACC Offensive Player of the Week (2024), and third-team All-America (2023).

Mike Norvell needs to replace the 35 players who left for the transfer portal. In addition to the incoming freshman class, Norvell has brought in 24 players via the transfer portal, including five offensive linemen. 

Florida State has won seven games in the last two seasons and will have a new transfer portal quarterback under center in Ashtyn Daniels. Protecting Daniels' is the priority for Norvell considering many are considering Norvell to be on the hot seat. Winning this season is a must to keep his job. Signing an experienced player like Chaplin makes sense.

Last season Chaplin started 12 games at left tackle and earned a grade of 90% or higher in five games. The highlight of his season was against Missouri where he graded out at 97%

In 2024 he started 12 games at tackle for Virginia Tech. He only allowed two sacks after logging 607 snaps. Chaplin graded out at 72% overall for the season, and had a pass blocking grade of 74.9 for the season. 

During his redshirt freshman year of 2023, Chaplin started in 13 games for Virginia Tech. During this season he played 813 snaps and gave up five sacks. He was a key contributor to helping Virginia Tech be the No. 22-ranked rushing team at 189.8 yards per game.

Chaplin played offensive and defensive line while at Whale Branch Early College High School in Seabrook SC. He was ranked the No. 22 player in South Carolina after a high school career that included 84 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and six sacks.

Florida State will start training camp on July 30, and Chaplin is expected to compete with Jonathan Daniels for the left tackle spot. Considering the price tag that comes with a player of his size and experience it’s not likely that Norvell won't start his newest left tackle.

Florida State opens the season on August 29 at home against New Mexico St. The Seminoles expect a stronger offensive line to lead to a more successful season.