FSU Football: A happy homecoming; freshman LB shines; OT Bless Harris back to full strength

Florida State’s annual preseason trip to Jacksonville is a new experience for many of the Seminoles’ players.

But for freshman safety KJ Kirkland, it’s an opportunity to go home. And a chance to show that he’s ready to make an impact on the college level.

“I remember coming across the bridge,” Kirkland said. “It was like, ‘It’s real now. You’ve got to get to it. You’ve got a statement to make. You’ve got a name to make for yourself.’ And that’s really my mentality coming in — just making a name for yourself. Go put Jacksonville back on the map. Let them know they’ve got a good DB, good athlete, good kid, a good young man coming out of the city.”

Kirkland went to Raines High School in Jacksonville, about 20 miles from the University of North Florida, where the Seminoles’ practices Thursday and Friday are being held.

Multiple NFL players have come out Raines, including former Seminole defensive end Derrick Alexander and Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins.

“Big shoes to fill, you know. You’ve got a chip on your shoulder,” Kirkland said. “I want that chip on my shoulder, so I have to come in and work, keep my head down, and trust the process.”

The Jacksonville native, who signed as part of the Class of 2023 in December, actually enrolled at Florida State in January. So even though he has yet to play a snap of college football on Saturdays, he did get to take part in a month of spring drills.

Florida State likely will need a freshman safety to help out in the rotation this fall behind veterans Akeem Dent, Shyheim Brown and Kevin Knowles. And Kirkland and redshirt freshman Ashlynd Barker could be the top early candidates.

“Those 15 practices really helped a lot,” Kirkland said. “I tell younger recruits you can definitely come in the spring, because it’s a little slower. And once we get to the fall, it’s like a repetitive thing. Like you’ve heard this thing before.”

FSU’s newest transfer off to impressive start

Earlier this summer, Justin Cryer was a freshman linebacker at Northwestern. Now, he is turning heads for the Seminoles.

Cryer, who transferred to Florida State after a hazing scandal erupted at the Big Ten school and led to the dismissal of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, has looked sharp since the very first practice last week. And he turned in a number of strong plays during Thursday’s practice in Jacksonville.

“We thought he was going to be a great fit, and he’s probably moving better in some of the areas, you know, short area of burst things that he can do, how he really makes plays on the perimeter,” Norvell said. “Reminds me a lot of, as a freshman, of what Tatum [Bethune] brings — except he’s probably a little bit bigger at this point in his career than Tatum was. Definitely excited about the opportunity he could have to possibly help us this year.”

Linebackers coach Randy Shannon was equally complimentary of Cryer when he spoke earlier this week.

“His first couple of days here have been tremendous,” Shannon said. “He’s improved each day, and he’s going to continue to improve.”

Bethune and fellow senior Kalen DeLoach are Florida State’s projected starters at linebacker, and the Seminoles’ top backups likely will be junior D.J. Lundy and redshirt freshman Omar Graham Jr.

But there could be room for a freshman in the rotation, and Cryer and four-star recruit Blake Nichelson are likely the leading contenders.

OT Bless Harris excited to be back in action

After transferring in from Lamar University last year, offensive tackle Bless Harris won Florida State’s starting right tackle job during 2022 preseason camp.

Unfortunately for Harris, he sustained an arm injury in FSU’s Week 0 game against Duquesne and missed the entire season.

Nearly 12 months later, Harris is excited to be back and fully healthy.

“When I first got the injury I was, you know, shocked, down,” Harris said. “Just had to lean on God and trust God. Follow in his footsteps, and I’m back at it. … I’m ready to go.”

Harris has been a full participant in preseason practice and is considered a top contender to win a starting job once again. The Seminoles also have returning starter Robert Scott, UTEP transfer Jeremiah Byers, redshirt freshman Julian Armella and others in the mix at tackle.

“It’s great to have Bless back out here,” Norvell said.

*ALSO SEE: Corey Clark’s observations from Jacksonville as FSU practices in full pads for first time

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

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