Florida State football has had a concerning trend as of late. The Seminoles' offense is supposed to be "Built for Playmakers." However, that unit was one of the worst in the country last year and has fans worried about the future.
The wide receiver position has taken a hit with Hykeem Williams, Jordan Scott, and Jalen Brown. While none of them have done anything of note at Florida State, Williams and Brown were highly-touted recruits out of high school, and Scott was a highly-sought-after JUCO prospect.
This is something that should never happen in Tallahassee. During Mike Norvell's tenure, the coaching staff has had success in the transfer portal at the wide receiver position with pieces such as Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, but recruiting the position has been a roller coaster ride.
(2020)
-Bryan Robinson (0 receptions and 0 yards)
-Kentron Poitier (38 receptions for 635 yards and six touchdowns)
-JaKhi Douglas (77 receptions for 1256 yards and nine touchdowns)
-Darion Williamson (35 receptions for 454 yards and one touchdown)
(2021)
-Destyn Hill (6 receptions for 87 yards)
-Malik McClain (33 receptions for 396 yards and five touchdowns)
-Joshua Burrell (0 receptions for 0 yards)
(2022)
-No wide receiver signees
(2023)
-Hykeem Williams (21 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns)
-Vandrevius Jacobs (3 receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown)
-Goldie Lawrence (0 receptions for 0 yards)
(2024)
-Lawayne McCoy (6 receptions for 52 yards)
-Elijah Moore (2 receptions for 17 yards)
-BJ Gibson (2 receptions for 14 yards)
-Camdon Frier (0 receptions for 0 yards)
ANALYSIS
It is fitting that JaKhi Douglas was the most productive wide receiver during Mike Norvell's tenure. The 5'9" playmaker put his heart and dedication into this program, and it cannot be stated enough how grateful Florida State football fans were to have him.
The position is looking to take a turn in the right direction in 2025 as the Seminoles fired Ron Dugans and hired Tim Harris Jr. as the new wide receivers coach. While I am not blaming Coach Dugans solely for the failures, this has to be a better track record at a place like Florida State.
I am high on a 2025 four-star signee Jayvan Boggs, but new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's scheme indicated that Florida State will run the football early and often this upcoming season, where the Cocoa, Florida native could not get more opportunities than he should.
Overall, this is not a good look for the program. There are many fans associated with the Seminoles who wonder why Florida State has not been able to land high-quality wide receivers on the recruiting trail. Well... this could be a start.
I think that the Seminoles can turn this around at the wide receiver position with the talent that they have from the 2024 and 2025 classes, but they have to allow those players to blossom instead of relying solely on the transfer portal.