FAU transfer RB Gemari Sands signs with Florida State

FAU transfer running back Gemari Sands has signed with Florida State out of the portal, On3’s Pete Nakos reports. He was tabbed as the No. 868-ranked player (No. 85 RB) in On3’s Transfer Portal Industry Rating.

Across two seasons at FAU, Sands totaled 136 carries for 582 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He was the Owls’ leading rusher this past season (465 yards).

Prior to enrolling at FAU, Sands was ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 1,197 overall player in the 2023 class, according to the Rivals Industry Rating. He was the No. 80 RB in his class and the No. 170 overall player from the state of Florida, hailing from St. Thomas Aquinas.

Florida State looks to bounce back from back-to-back disappointing seasons

It was a disappointing season for the Florida State Seminoles, who were coming off their worst season in program history (2-10 in 2024). The year opened strongly with a marquee victory over No. 8 Alabama in Tallahassee, which propelled them to a No. 14 ranking in the AP Poll Rankings.

Following that win, however, FSU went just 4-7 over its final 11 games and missed the postseason for the second consecutive season. Florida State administration made the decision to retain head coach Mike Norvell, who claimed that the program was ‘close’ near the end of the season.

“I believe that we are close,” Norvell said. “You lose six games, and it sucks. Like I said, we have absolutely not been close to the expectation of what I have for this team, for what I have and for what I know is the overall expectation of Florida State football, in general.

“But I do believe in where we’re going. I do believe in some of the progress that we’ve been able to see, but it’s not consistent enough. Even in games, where there’s — it’s not like there’s games where we haven’t shown up. We’ve been able to gain yards. We’ve been able to hold teams to less. You go through all that.”

Across six seasons in Tallahassee, Norvell has led the ‘Noles to a 38-34 (22-26) record.

Florida State’s Transfer Portal Additions

Gemari Sands is the 15th Transfer Portal addition for Florida State.

• Fr. OL Paul Bowling (Troy)
• So. CB Nehemiah Chandler (South Alabama)
• RS-Jr. OT Xavier Chaplin (Auburn)
• Sr. QB Ashton Daniels (Auburn)
• RS-Sr. LB Mikai Gbayor (North Carolina)
• So. CB Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame)
• RS-So. OL Bradyn Joiner (Purdue)
• Fr. S Ma’khi Jones (Duke)
• Jr. DL Rylan Kennedy (Texas A&M)
• RS-So. OT Chimdia Nwaiwu (Stephen F. Austin)
• RS-Sr. OT Nate Pabst (Bowling Green)
• RS-Fr. CB CJ Richard (Illinois State)
• Jr. TE Demario Riles (East Carolina)
• Jr. RB Gemari Sands (FAU)
• Jr. RB Tre Wisner (Texas)

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.