FSU Football: Fans and players react to Ryan Izzo declaring for NFL Draft
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football has lost another player to the NFL Draft in tight end Ryan Izzo.
The FSU football receiving corps just took a hit with tight end Ryan Izzo declaring for the NFL Draft.
The redshirt junior tight end was by far the most experienced tight end on the roster and the most productive. He had his best year numbers wise in 2017, finishing with 20 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns.
His best game of the season came in the Independence Bowl with six receptions for 59 yards.
FSU also lost tight end Mavin Saunders to graduation and transferring to Kansas which leaves a relatively inexperienced group behind.
“I have decided to forgo my senior season and chase my dream of playing in the @NFL.” - @IzzoRyan https://t.co/qdUi1lwAGK
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) January 3, 2018
Player and Fan Reaction
@IzzoRyan Gained a brother this past year, you taught me so much. Love you bro always, go get that bag.💰Time to pass the torch, we gon hold it down from here believe that. pic.twitter.com/7xeCKBNHXJ
— Tre' Mckitty (@T_mckitty) January 3, 2018
Couldn’t of asked for a better leader to follow after for the past 2 years. Good luck big bro @IzzoRyan
— PG (@NaseirUpshur) January 3, 2018
Congrats my brother @IzzoRyan https://t.co/clWThKO64g
— Derwin James Jr (@DerwinJames) January 3, 2018
You’ll be missed in Doak for your senior year, but best of luck in the NFL. I hope it’s everything you dreamed it would be.
— lindalee (@MeehanLinda) January 3, 2018
Wishing you nothing but the best!;!
— Stephen Ujvari Jr. (@Unconquered0412) January 3, 2018
Thoughts
It looks like Izzo was well-respected by his peers as both Tre McKitty and Pops Upshur are younger tight ends that gave him props up there.
The only problem is neither have any big game experience. However, there’s some positives in that McKitty is ridiculously athletic receiving threat and Upshur is more of a blocking tight end.
There’s also Alexander Marshall who likely redshirted this season as a true freshman. It’ll be interesting to see how this development impacts FSU in 2018, and how Taggart chooses to use tight ends in his offense.
For reference, the tight end at Oregon had nearly identical receiving stats compared to what Izzo produced in 2017. However, it does look like Taggart may have targeted the tight end a bit more in the red zone as he had five touchdowns on the season.
Next: FSU In Wait And See Mode Regarding Draft Eligible Players
FSU football currently has no tight end commits in the 2018 recruiting cycle.