FSU Football Could See A Star Wide Reciever Return in 2024

The Seminoles have a promising group of wide receivers.

Florida State will return a large number of players on the roster in 2024 who have a lot of potential but have not produced much early in their college careers. Another offseason could be beneficial as the Seminoles look to develop a few more homegrown stars in their quest for another ACC Championship and College Football Playoff appearance.

Hykeem Williams, a sophomore wide receiver, announced Monday morning that he would return to Tallahassee for another season in a release with The Battle’s End. Williams, a former five-star prospect and top-100 recruit in the 2023 class, has the potential to develop into a special player for the Seminoles.

The Florida native is coming off a season in which he caught five passes for 80 yards and one touchdown in eight games. He was sidelined by a lower-body injury in the second half of the season but returned to play a season-high 31 snaps in the Orange Bowl. Williams scored his only touchdown of the season in FSU’s October win over Syracuse.

Williams had been demonstrating significant potential prior to his injury, exhibiting promising signs of improvement. Despite encountering challenges with his conditioning during the spring, he dedicated himself to regaining fitness and gradually showcased the qualities that had earned him high praise as a prep athlete. With another year to further acclimate to the conditioning program and the team’s system, Williams stands to benefit from continued growth and development.

Although the Seminoles experienced the departures of Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, they are set to welcome back a wealth of talent at the wide receiver position. This includes Williams, as well as redshirt seniors Kentron Poitier, Ja’Khi Douglas, Darion Williamson, and Deuce Spann, along with senior Malik Benson, sophomores Vandrevius Jacobs and Destyn Hill, and redshirt freshman Jalen Brown.

In addition to Williams, several key players on offense have announced their returns, indicating a solid foundation for the Seminoles moving forward. Among them are running backs Lawrance Toafili and Caziah Holmes, wide receivers Darion Williamson, Kentron Poitier, Ja’Khi Douglas, Destyn Hill, Vandrevius Jacobs, offensive linemen Robert Scott, Darius Washington, Maurice Smith, Keiondre Jones, and Jeremiah Byers.

On the defensive side, a formidable lineup of returning players has been confirmed, providing stability and experience to the Seminoles’ defense. Defensive ends Patrick Payton and Byron Turner Jr., defensive tackles Darrell Jackson, Joshua Farmer, Daniel Lyons, and KJ Sampson, linebacker Omar Graham Jr., cornerbacks Azareye’h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress II, Quindarrius Jones, Ja’Bril Rawls, safeties Shyheim Brown and Ashlynd Barker, punter Alex Mastromanno, and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald have all declared their intentions to return to Florida State since December.

These announcements signal a significant boost to Florida State’s roster depth and continuity, with key contributors opting to remain with the program for the upcoming season. As the Seminoles look to build upon their foundation and strive for success in the competitive landscape of college football, the return of these players provides a solid framework for their aspirations.