Grad-transfer OL Joshua Braun discusses unofficial visit to Florida State
Florida State has utilized the transfer portal to much success over the first three years of head coach Mike Norvell's tenure in Tallahassee. Looking at the Seminoles' roster, there are 16 players within the two-deep that began their respective college careers elsewhere on the most recent depth chart that the program released at the start of the week. Last season, the coaching staff was active in the portal from November (Bless Harris) to August (Malik Feaster).
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The Seminoles are already preparing for their next round of hunting in the portal. On Tuesday, FSU hosted Florida graduate transfer offensive lineman, Joshua Braun, along with his wife and father for an unofficial visit. They were able to view a practice before meeting with coach Norvell and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach, Alex Atkins.
"It was a great experience. We really enjoyed ourselves while we were there," Braun said to NoleGameday's Dustin Lewis. "Them practicing in the mornings was fantastic, I'm sure the players love that schedule and it's definitely interesting as a recruit seeing that. It was my wife's first time visiting a school as a recruit and so, she really enjoyed herself. They made a really welcoming environment and we got a lot out of the visit."
Braun announced his decision to transfer from Florida in October. He was able to enter the transfer portal last Friday and Florida State's coaching staff reached out over the weekend. The trip marked his first visit since becoming a grad transfer which was an easy trek to make from Gainesville.
"I declared my intentions to go into the transfer portal after UF's game against LSU. I think it was October 15. I was able to become a grad transfer, which allowed me to enter the portal last Friday," Braun said. "Over the weekend, FSU reached out. We were going to schedule a visit and it turned out that Tuesday was just the best time for it. We went to FSU first just because it was so close just from where me and my wife are from. It's a short drive and easy to do."
After spending parts of three seasons under two different head coaches with the Gators, Braun has experience within a college program that he lacked as a high school recruit. The insight gives him a better understanding of the process and how to go about it now as he looks for a new home.
"Being a grad transfer compared to being a high school recruit, I've been in a college football program for three years so I kind of know what goes on behind closed doors," Braun said. "I know what questions to ask and what are the signals of a good football program and what things you should try to stay away from. The knowledge I've gained by being a part of a college team for three years is definitely something I didn't have in high school. I have a better understanding of the recruiting process and what goes on."
This was the first time that Braun was able to interact with Florida State's coaching staff. He originally visited the Seminoles when Willie Taggart was still the head coach and committed to the Gators the same week that Mike Norvell was hired.
Lacking the luxury of time prior to a decision, it's important for Braun to establish relationships with prospective programs quickly and efficiently.
"It was great to have that opportunity. I mean, the main difference from being a transfer to a high school recruit is that I have about five weeks to make this decision as opposed to three or four years," Braun said. "Developing these relationships quickly and efficiently is very important, just so we can feel comfortable wherever we go. To see how receptive they were to us and us being there, it really meant a lot. I think that first visit really set the foundation for our relationship that we can cultivate and build upon over the next three to four weeks."
Florida State has landed six transfer offensive linemen (Devontay Love-Taylor, Dillan Gibbons, D'Mitri Emmanuel, Jazston Turnetine, Bless Harris, and Kayden Lyles) since Norvell arrived in Tallahassee. Four of those players have started or played significant snaps. Harris was knocked out for the year during the season-opener while Lyles went down in the preseason.
It's obvious that the Seminoles are willing to give transfers an opportunity and that appeals to Braun.
"It's great to see them give guys a second chance. It's definitely something that every transfer is looking for because I think the fear for every transfer is that they're going to make a decision and get to a place where they're not going to have an opportunity," Braun said. "They're not going to get on the field, and they've ultimately made the wrong decision. I think that's what every transfer fears. To see that Florida State has a history of playing transfers and giving them the opportunity they deserve, it's very appealing."
The Florida native is focused on more than himself as he also has a new wife to care for. He's looking for a program that will fit each of them as they try to finish their education and prepare for the next step in their lives.
"I want a solid home for me and my wife for the next two to three years where I can get a master's degree and she can finish her bachelor's. I'm just looking for a place that will set us up for success for the rest of our lives," Braun said. "It's easy as a recruit to get short-sighted and to see the goal as winning a national championship. But I'm not necessarily looking to win a national championship. That would be fantastic and that's one of my goals but my main goal is providing for my wife. I'm looking for the best fit in life, the best fit academically, and the best fit on the field for both of us."
Since officially entering the portal, Braun has publicly posted offers from Penn State, UCF, Duke, Texas Tech, UNLV, and Western Michigan. He's not sharing all of his offers publicly out of respect to the players in those respective programs with the season not yet complete.
As far as visits, Braun plans to be at UCF on Saturday when the Knights take on Navy. Other than that, he's deciding on other destinations with his family and way wait until after Thanksgiving to take the majority of his visits.
The goal is to make a decision by the middle of December but Braun could take the process into the new year if necessary.
"We're looking to make a decision in mid-December just so we can have Christmas and the rest of the month to move where we're going to want to be in January," Braun said. "I'm shooting for mid-December but if we need more time to make a decision, we'll extend it to January. We definitely don't want to rush this process but at the same time, January is coming up and we need to be in a place by then. We'll examine all the options and see if one sticks out to us."
The 6-foot-6, 335-pound offensive lineman will have three years of eligibility to utilize at his next program. Braun is anticipated to be an interior prospect for Florida State with starting guards Dillan Gibbons and D'Mitri Emmanuel set to graduate following the conclusion of the fall semester.
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