FSU football: Amari Gainer enters the transfer portal reaction

I wrote about the potential for some FSU football players to enter the portal when it officially opened up Monday.

Players like Sam McCall, Shambre Jackson, and Jarret Jackson are no longer on the roster. Usually, players enter the portal for several reasons, and all of the reasons aren’t bad.

That’s likely the case for linebacker Amari Gainer. The former four-star announced he will enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility left Monday afternoon.

When the head coach of the place you’re transferring from co-signs you? You know things are on good terms and there’s a great understanding of what’s best for the player.

Thoughts

Gainer was a top-five tackler in his first three years and led the team in tackles with 65 during the 2020 season, averaging over seven tackles per game, and that was in a limited role. Gainer dealt with an injury in 2022, which saw him appear in only seven games.

A physical specimen, Gainer was a bit of a tweener at linebacker and defensive end. He’s always been a team guy and already has his degree, which means he does his work in the classroom.

Some of my followers on Twitter swear Gainer should be moved to defensive end, which I’ve contended he lacks the size and length to do full-time.

However, he could find some success in the right scheme since he’s not great in coverage as a linebacker. I remember Amari looking to become the bell cow for his recruiting class when FSU football needed some recruiting momentum.

His commitment video was one of my favorites and I’m excited a legacy hometown guy got to play at FSU and then have the option to finish his career in the fashion he wants.

However, gets Amari Gainer will get a hard worker and someone that will add to their program. I wish him nothing but the best and he’ll always be a Nole in my book.