Freshman DB raves about FSU receivers: ‘We … have … speed’

He’s not exactly an unbiased observer. And he doesn’t have a great deal of experience to compare. But if Florida State freshman cornerback Ricky Knight is correct in his assessment of FSU’s wide receiver corps — after going up against them in summer workouts — that could be great news for the Seminoles in 2024.

When he was asked about practicing against Florida State’s wideouts during his introductory interview with the media this week, Knight leaned into the microphone for emphasis.

“We … have … speed,” Knight said with a smile. “Let’s just put it that out there. I want everybody to know. We truly have speed. Those guys are running.”

Wide receiver was always going to be a question mark for Florida State this season following the departures of NFL draft picks Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.

Those two playmakers combined to catch 91 passes for 1,275 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2023 season. Florida State’s next most productive receiver was veteran Ja’Khi Douglas, who had just 14 receptions for 243 yards and no scores.

So there is a lot of production to be replaced. But having seen them in person, Knight singled out Alabama transfer Malik Benson, LSU transfer Jalen Brown and several other wideouts as being impressive talents.

“A lot of people think that’s our weakness, I don’t know why,” Knight said of the receiver corps. “If you look at our receiver room, we really have some guys. … A lot of people are going to be awakened when they come out on the field.”

While Benson, Brown, Douglas and sophomore Hykeem Williams are expected to be key options for Florida State based on their reputations and how they performed in spring practice, Knight singled out a pair of veterans that he believes fans and media are “sleeping” on.

“I feel like Deuce Spann and Kentron Poitier are definitely going to be big for us,” Knight said.

That would definitely be a significant development.

Spann is a tremendous athlete at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds with exceptional speed, but he has yet to break through as a receiver. The former Illinois quarterback has nine receptions during his two years at Florida State.

Poitier has had great moments at practice and has earned a great deal of playing time. But after catching a career-high 14 passes in 2022, he grabbed just six catches last fall while dealing with an injury.

Knight believes Florida State will get a boost from its impressive group of freshman receivers as well. He was especially high on four-star freshman Lawayne McCoy, who made a big impression with an impressive month of spring practice.

And Knight raved about Elijah Moore, another four-star freshmen who arrived this summer.

“He’s definitely a big guy,” Knight said of Moore. “He’s like 6-5. I’m only like 6-1, 6-foot. So he’s definitely challenging me a lot. It makes me use my technique a lot more because I know I have to be more patient with him. I have to use my hands against him. And he’s also definitely a strong receiver, and he has strong hands. So you’ve really got to try to play through the ball and you’ve really got to fight.

“It’s been good going up against him. I feel like we’re definitely giving each other work, we’re making each other better.”

Florida State is expected to open preseason practice on July 24, although that date is not yet official.

Florida State receivers Hykeem Williams (8), Kentron Poitier (1) and Deuce Spann (5) prepare for a spring practice. (Gene Williams/Warchant)

Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.

The post Freshman DB raves about FSU receivers: ‘We … have … speed’ appeared first on On3.