Florida State announced on Monday afternoon that former tight end Nick O'Leary will be inducted into the 2026 Seminoles' Athletics Hall of Fame, and he will be honored during Florida State's home football game on Saturday, September 26th, against Central Arkansas.
O'Leary was one of the best tight ends in Seminoles' history, and did you know that he was Jack Nicklaus's grandson?
Obviously, the latter part was a running joke with Florida State fans since announcers kept mentioning O'Leary being the legendary golfer's grandson when the Seminoles were playing on national TV.
Nonetheless, Nick O'Leary was a special talent at Florida State, where he recorded 114 receptions for 1,591 yards and 17 touchdowns during his four-year career with the Seminoles (according to ESPN Stats and Information). With the tight end being inducted into the Seminoles' Athletics Hall of Fame, I thought it was appropriate to share some of the best moments of his career.
1. Nick O'Leary trucks a Clemson defender (2013)
Florida State dominated Clemson from start to finish in 2013, winning 51-14. Tight end Nick O'Leary had himself a day against the Tigers, where he recorded five receptions for 161 yards. One of the bigger highlights of the game was when O'Leary obliterated a Clemson defender by bulldozing him. To make matters worse, the moment happened when the Seminoles were winning by a score of 34-7 in the third quarter.
2. Nick O'Leary 95-yard catch versus Clemson (2013)
You thought we were done messing with Clemson? Absolutely not. Quarterback Jameis Winston didn't put their foot off the gas, as they were up by a score of 48-7 in the middle of the fourth quarter with the starters still in the game. The Seminoles were backed up on their own one-yard line, and head coach Jimbo Fisher elected to run a play-action pass to Nick O'Leary for a 95-yard completion.
3. Nick O'Leary touchdown grab versus Pittsburgh (2013)
2013 was a special time for Florida State football fans, as they saw their team win its third national championship in program history. Quarterback Jameis Winston gets a ton of credit for that feat (deservedly so), but guess who caught the first touchdown pass of the year for the Hueytown, Alabama, native? You're right, Nick O'Leary. After Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage threw an interception to former defensive back Jalen Ramsey, O'Leary responded with a touchdown, and the rest was history.
Former Florida State tight end Nick O'Leary was a tremendous player during his time with the Seminoles and certainly deserves his flowers and recognition. He was one of the best to ever do it for Florida State at the tight end position.
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