Florida State will finish the rest of this football season without three veterans that once were among the Seminoles' core leaders: defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, receiver Tamorrion Terry and quarterback James Blackman.
First-year coach Mike Norvell revealed Wilson, an All-American standout who figures to be an early choice in the 2021 NFL draft, will not play again after being sidelined with an unspecified injury that kept him out of the Pittsburgh game this past weekend.
"Marvin had a slight procedure that was done and he'll be back to full speed here really soon," Norvell said. "I appreciate Marvin and the leader he's worked to be to a lot of these young guys in all aspects of what he does. He's still going to be around each and every day, encouraging guys at practice.
"I hate for him that he's not going to be able to finish up this season."
In six games this season, Wilson has 17 tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack. He also blocked a kick against Georgia Tech. He started 19 games during his career, finishing with 109 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
Left tackle Devontay Love-Taylor also suffered a season-ending injury. Norvell said Love-Taylor could return next season.
Norvell also confirmed Terry, a redshirt junior who has started four games this season, has wrapped up his career with the Seminoles.
"Tamorrion Terry is no longer with the program and we'll move forward there," Norvell said.
Terry is coming off a season during which he led the team with 1,188 receiving yards and added nine touchdowns. This season, however, Terry been dealing with a variety of health issues, including a knee injury that required surgery.
He also has been dealing with personal challenges, an issue he raised when talking with reporters a month ago. Terry declined to share more details, but the Georgia native did mourn the loss of his grandmother before the season opener against Georgia Tech.
"It breaks my heart that I cannot finish what I started here at Florida State," Terry posted on Twitter Wednesday afternoon. "I came back for a reason, and while I fell short of that goal, I hope you know that I gave it my all through personal loss and injury. Ultimately, I didn't think I could help my teammates to the best of my ability the rest of the season, and I decided the best choice was for me to use this time to heal and recover. I'm not sure what the next chapter will be for me, but I'll always have love for FSU. Go 'Noles!"
Terry leads the team in receptions (23) and receiving yards (289) this season.
FSU will also be down a quarterback after Norvell said redshirt junior James Blackman, who started 25 games during his career with the Seminoles, has decided to transfer after he graduates this year.
"I had a conversation with James Blackman and we had a really good talk," said Norvell. "James discussed the interest in being able to explore other opportunities after he graduates here from Florida State. It's something I support.
"James and I have really developed a good relationship over the last nine months and I appreciate all the work he's poured into this program."
Blackman earned the job out of fall camp, starting the opener against the Yellow Jackets and then against Miami the following week. He lost the job to true freshman Tate Rodemaker the following week against Jacksonville State before Jordan Travis took over through the past four games. Travis has battled injuries, but Norvell has relied on other quarterbacks to replace him in the lineup.
Blackman, a South Bay native, has thrown for 5,445 yards, 42 touchdowns and 26 interceptions during his career with the Seminoles.
"He's been put in a very challenging situation and it's real easy to pinpoint one person or one instance of different things," Norvell said. "He's dealt with coaching changes, he's dealt with a lot of changes when it comes to the personnel and situations around him, and he's always handled himself with class."
Florida State is coming off a disappointing 41-17 loss to Pitt this past weekend, dropping the team to 2-5 overall and 1-5 in ACC play. It's been a difficult first year for Norvell, who has dealt with a rash of injuries and trying to install new systems amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"I never think of attrition," Norvell said. "From the day that I got the job here, these are all my players. They're all guys that I'm responsible for and it's my job to help them develop and grow in every aspect. I don't want to lose any player."
FSU hits the road to take on NC State Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
