FSU’s Top 40 Players of 2026: Spotlight on Xavier Chaplin

Florida State University’s annual breakdown of the 40 Most Important Players for the upcoming season is in full swing, and it’s not just a way to pass the time during the summer months. This exercise gives us a chance to take stock of the team as a whole and evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

This year, we’re starting our countdown from 40, with input from various analysts to help us determine the most critical players. Now, we’ve made our way into the Top 10, with Xavier Chaplin landing at the number 4 spot.

Chaplin is a crucial addition to the team, bringing his solid performance as a left tackle to the table. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-8 and 346 pounds, he’s a force to be reckoned with on the field. With 37 consecutive starts under his belt, Chaplin has shown durability and consistency throughout his career.

However, there’s some uncertainty surrounding Chaplin’s performance, as he experienced fluctuations in his production and efficiency over the past few seasons. While he showed significant improvement during his time at Virginia Tech, his transfer to Auburn saw a slight decline in his overall performance. Questions arise as to whether his change in play was due to health issues, weight gain, or the challenges of facing tougher opponents in the SEC.

Interestingly, Chaplin’s performance seemed to improve towards the end of the season when Ashton Daniels was leading the offense. This raises curiosity about which version of Chaplin FSU will see in the upcoming season and how his role as a run blocker will impact the team’s offensive success.

As one of the team’s most substantial investments, Chaplin’s performance will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining FSU’s overall performance this season.