Florida State Removed Gemari Sands From Football Roster
The Seminoles updated their team roster and shifted Gavin Markey to running back following the move.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Football
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Florida State has removed running back Gemari Sands from its active football roster as of October 5, 2026. In a corresponding adjustment to the team depth chart, tight end Gavin Markey has transitioned to the running back position.
Why it matters
The roster change comes as the team adjusts its depth following a period of performance evaluation. Sands had previously arrived in Tallahassee in January 2026 and appeared in a single game for the program.
During his lone appearance for Florida State, Sands played 7 snaps on special teams against SMU and recovered one muffed punt. His collegiate career included 24 games at Florida Atlantic, where he recorded 582 rushing yards and 277 receiving yards.
The players
Gemari Sands
He is a running back who previously played three seasons at Florida Atlantic before joining Florida State.
Gavin Markey
He is a Florida State football player who has moved from the tight end position to running back.
Florida State University
This is a public research university located in Tallahassee that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Florida Atlantic University
This is a public university that serves as the former collegiate home for Gemari Sands.
The details
Sands was absent from the sidelines during Florida State's 38-7 victory over Virginia. He remains the subject of a lawsuit filed by Florida Atlantic regarding a previous contract.
Timeline
Gemari Sands arrived in Tallahassee in January 2026.
Florida State removed Gemari Sands from the roster on October 5, 2026.
Florida State is scheduled to play Louisville on October 9, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This mid-season roster shuffle reflects the ongoing volatility in depth management across the Atlantic Coast Conference. Such moves directly impact the team's ability to maintain rotation depth for the remainder of the season schedule.
The transition of Gavin Markey to the backfield changes the available options for the team in short-yardage and special teams scenarios. These updates determine the active rotation for the upcoming game against Louisville.
The takeaway
Roster management is a constant reality for college programs navigating performance metrics and off-field legal obligations. Coaches often rely on position versatility, such as moving tight ends to running back, to maintain tactical flexibility.
What happens next
Florida State is set to continue its season against Louisville on October 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit the Football section.
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