Ex-FSU Football Linebacker Continuing Coaching Career As Graduate Assistant

The arc of a college football coach is like a ladder. The goal is to keep moving in the right direction in a field that is extremely competitive at all levels of the sport. Most prospective coaches start at the bottom of the rung and have to grind their way to the top.

Former Florida State and Florida Atlantic linebacker Jaleel McRae began his coaching career with the Owls last season. He worked in a player development role under first-year head coach Tom Herman.

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Following one season in Boca Raton, McRae will be reuniting with a familiar face. According to his social media, he's accepted a position as a defensive graduate assistant for the University at Buffalo.

Last month, former FSU staffer Joe Bowen was hired by Buffalo as the program's next defensive coordinator. After coaching McRae in Tallahassee, the two now reunite on the same staff with the Bulls. McRae publicly congratulated Bowen at the time of his hiring in January.

February 15, 2023 I made a promise to myself that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life… Buckle up cause it’s time! Excited for my next journey at The University At Buffalo!

SMART • TOUGH • TOGETHER

Go bulls 💙🤘🏽 pic.twitter.com/nkwxHP5hVN
— Coach McRae (@JaleelMcrae) February 14, 2024

The Florida native signed with the Seminoles as a four-star prospect in the 2019 class out of IMG Academy under former head coach Willie Taggart. Before the conclusion of his first season with the program, Taggart was fired and current head coach Mike Norvell took over in his place.

McRae spent most of his time as a backup at Florida State, contributing at linebacker and on special teams. The majority of his production came during his first year with the program. He totaled 21 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack in 25 appearances, with one start, with the Seminoles.

After entering the transfer portal following the 2021 season, he landed at Florida Atlantic to play under Taggart for a second time. He ended up having a career year, recording 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception. That included a career-best six total tackles against Southeastern Louisiana.

Taggart ended up being fired for the second time with McRae on the roster at the conclusion of the season. A few months later, McRae chose to retire from playing football and focus on coaching.

Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the offseason.

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