FSU Football Fall Camp Preview: Wide Receivers
The Florida State Seminoles' wide receiver room took a major leap in 2022, finishing with a final grade of 86.4 per Pro Football Focus. Adding impact transfers paired with quarterback Jordan Travis making major strides in the passing game helped drive the 'Noles to a successful 10-3 (5-3 ACC) season. Some of the major contributors from a season ago have either transferred or moved on to the next level, but that has only paved the way for others to step up in a loaded wide receiver corps.
READ MORE: Where Does FSU Stack Up For The Five Prospects Committing This Weekend?
NoleGameday will be breaking down each position group to provide a detailed overview of what is expected out of the roster ahead of the season. In this feature, we'll be diving into the wide receiver room to investigate a group that graded out as the No. 6 group in the country last year.
Other Fall Camp Previews:
At The Surface
If there is one thing to say at a glance, experience and size fill the Florida State wide receiver room.
— Johnny Wilson, Redshirt Junior
Wilson will return for his second year with the 'Noles after catching 43 passes for 897 yards and five touchdowns, making him one of the highest-graded returning receivers in the country. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound route runner has shown the ability to make plays in big-time moments. His career high of 202 yards came against the 35-32 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cheez-It Bowl. He led the ACC and ranked third in the country with 22 receptions of 20 or more yards.
Despite excelling in the blocking game and having a remarkable season, there is still room for improvement for Wilson, particularly in terms of consistency when it comes to catching the ball. Regardless, there will be plenty of NFL scouts taking a hard look at him, especially if the hype around the Seminole offense proves to be correct.
— Kentron Poitier, Redshirt Junior
Probably the most underrated returning player in the room, Poitier is primed for a big season entering his fourth year as a Seminole. Last year he played in all 13 games and had 14 receptions for 283 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver is primed to take the next step in his game and will be battling with Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman for the second spot opposite of Wilson.
— Ja'Khi Douglas, Redshirt Junior
Battling injuries early on last season, Douglas appeared in the final seven games tallying 123 yards and two scores. He is speedy and quick out of the slot and coming out of sweeps, easily lost by opposing defenses.
— Darion Williamson, Redshirt Junior
Another player who dealt with injuries in 2022, Williamson, showed promise after making his career-high 98 yards in the 44-14 win over Boston College. It is likely that he will continue in his reserve role if he can stay healthy but has the ability to break out when given the chance. He's another big outside receiver standing at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. Playing in five games a year ago, he finished with eight receptions for 127 yards.
— Winston Wright Jr., Redshirt Senior
Wright's career took a devastating turn after a car crash left him with a leg injury. He was a promising transfer out of West Virginia and made a remarkable recovery during his rehabilitation process and actually appeared to be ready to play towards the end of 2022. He was on the receiving end of one of the 2023 Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase highlights, nabbing a touchdown pass.
During his three seasons at West Virginia, he appeared in 33 games with 16 starts, amassing 129 receptions for 1,338 yards and seven touchdowns. Additionally, he accumulated 1,236 yards with two touchdowns on 50 kickoff returns.
Wright could get playing time as a returner and, when healthy, is a valuable player out of the slot.
— Keon Coleman, Junior
Coleman was rated as the No. 4 transfer wide receiver out of the transfer portal coming from Michigan State and is expected to be a major contributor to the offense. Another big player vying for the outside receiver spot, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound transfer, appeared in 22 games with 12 starts, recording 65 receptions for 848 yards and eight touchdowns for the Spartans. In 2022, was named third-team All-Big Ten after his outstanding performance of 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.
— Deuce Spann, Redshirt Junior
Spann switched from quarterback to receiver in 2021 and transferred to FSU from Illinois. He's another guy with size, listed at 6-foot-4, 207 pounds. Spann has flashed in practice, and another fall camp in the system will help him improve in his new role. He appeared in 12 games, making eight catches for 64 yards, and added 28 yards on the ground.
— Destyn Hill, True Freshman
Destyn Hill, a highly anticipated recruit, arrived on campus following a whirlwind of recruitment. Hailing from Edna Karr, he was considered a consensus four-star receiver and assumed a prominent role as the bell cow of the Tribe '21 before things behind the scenes delayed his enrollment. He's listed at 6-foot-0, 195 pounds, and it will be interesting to see how much weight he's gained during summer workouts. Fall camp will tell us a lot about his early role in the offense.
— Hykeem Williams, True Freshman
A five-star recruit out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Williams shined during spring camp and has shown promise to get on the field early. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he is another player to watch out for as 2023 progresses. He was named 2021-22 Broward County Athlete of the Year and has already started working his way into the mix, going up against veteran defensive backs in practice. He has the opportunity to improve his game in fall camp, and it remains to be seen where he ends up on the depth chart.
— Vandrevious Jacobs, True Freshman
Jacobs was a three-star recruit out of Fort Peirce, Florida, and "All Day 'Dre" has proved that the coaching staff doesn't value stars over talent. He enrolled during the spring as an early enrollee at 6-foot-0, 175 pounds, and like Williams, can already win matchups against the veteran defensive backs. Having a spring under his belt already should give him a leg up as the group fights for roles on the depth chart.
— Goldie Lawrence, True Freshman
A former three-star recruit, Lawrence, enrolled after spring, so there hasn't been too much to glean from his short time being a Seminole. Fall camp will tell us a lot about his game at the college level. A summer conditioning program should've done him well; he is listed at 6-foot-0, 190 pounds.
Projected Depth Chart
Slot Wide Receiver:
1. Ja'Khi Douglas, RS Jr.
2. Winston Wright Jr, RS Sr.
Wide Receiver:
1. Johnny Wilson, RS Jr.
2. Deuce Spann, RS Jr./Hykeem Williams, Fr./Destyn Hill, Fr.
Wide Receiver:
1. Kentron Poitier RS Jr./Keon Coleman, Jr.
2. Darion Williamson, RS JR/Vandrevious Jacobs, FR
Biggest Question Marks
How will the Seminoles be able to spread out touches?
The biggest question mark for the 2023 season is how to get everyone the ball. The coaching staff did a good job last year of spreading it around, and it seemed like each game had a different breakout player.
There should be ample playing time for the newcomers, with players like Micah Pittman (transfer to Utah), Ontaria Wilson (LA Chargers), Malik McClain (transfer to Penn State) and Keyshawn Helton (transfer to Cinncinati) all leaving the program after last season.
Follow The Leader
The clear-cut leader from a season ago is Johnny Wilson, and having not been able to see Keon Coleman in person, and how he interacts with the defense, I've still got to go with Wilson unless he gets unseated during camp.
His unmatched size and quiet confidence put him in front, and the heavy competition around him should let those traits shine.
Fall Camp Outlook
This fall camp will be different from a year ago in regard to how we view the receiver room. Last season there were a few question marks on how well the transfers and newcomers would perform, but head coach Mike Norvell continues to show that he can win in the portal and recruit on a high level. How the newcomers fair out on the pecking order will be interesting to watch, and getting to see them in person will tell us a lot about the group heading into next season.
READ MORE: Who Will Be The Next Recruit To Commit To Florida State In July?
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the offseason
