FSU football: Impact of Johnny Wilson entering NFL Draft
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football has been a program that’s used the transfer portal better than anyone. The ability to discover and evaluate talent in the portal has been an elite trait of this FSU recruiting staff.
A prime example is wide receiver Johnny Wilson. The 6’7″ gigantic receiver entered the portal after the 2021 season at Arizona State. By his admission, hardly any schools were calling him for his services until FSU called.
After all, Wilson had dealt with a COVID season and injuries that limited his production. Wilson had 18 receptions for 243 yards and one touchdown.
FSU had missed signing a high school receiver in the 2021 recruiting class, so they went to the portal looking for talent.
Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson (@jjohnnywilson) tells ESPN that he’s leaving school for the NFL Draft. Wilson, a redshirt junior, is projected by scouts as a Top 100 pick. Wilson tells ESPN that he plans to play in the @seniorbowl. pic.twitter.com/ak47Ij3xzy
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 6, 2023
Wilson, the former No. 116 player overall in the 2020 recruiting class was available. The rest is history. Wilson burst on the scene in one of the most important games in 2022, a game where FSU trailed and Jordan Travis got knocked out of the game.
Wilson racked up seven receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Noles in their comeback victory over Louisville.
Wilson finished the season with 43 receptions, 897 yards and five touchdowns. The FSU offense got a lift when he announced he’d return for the 2023 season.