Speed Runs In The Family: Legacy football, track target Kaj Baker excited about FSU offer

It has been nearly 20 years since Derrick “Nitro” Baker used his elite speed to help the Florida State track team rack up a slew of championships.

Earlier this month, his son Kaj Baker showed off similar top-end speed while grabbing the attention of FSU’s football coaches during a Mega Camp event on the Seminoles’ campus.

Kaj, a running back from Miami who also goes by the nickname “Nitro,” was so impressive that weekend that he received a scholarship offer from Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell and running backs coach David Johnson.

“Coach Johnson was talking with us first, and then we went in to see Coach Norvell, and he gave me the offer,” Kaj Baker said. “The message from him was he was letting me know he sees my potential, my heart and my hard work. And he feels they can help me in the future. Coach Norvell is a really cool guy.”

The speedy Baker checks in at 5-foot-7 and 151 pounds, but he’s only a high school sophomore and is a member of the Class of 2026. So he has plenty of time to get bigger and possibly even faster.

While this was a memorable visit to Florida State, it certainly wasn’t his first. Both his mother and father went to FSU, and the program has always been close to his heart.

When asked why the FSU offer was so special, Kaj Baker couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Because my family, my mom and dad, both graduated from Florida State. So I’ve grown up on FSU,” he said. “This one really hit big for me on this offer. I’m very excited. I’m still excited and can’t believe … it’s mind-blowing.”

At FSU’s Mega Camp, the coaches conducted 40-yard testing with every participant, and the younger Baker posted a 4.43. While he says he has run faster than that at other events, that time combined with his strong performance during position drills and one-on-one events led to his offer from the Seminoles.

“The camp was a really nice experience,” Kaj Baker said. “Coach David Johnson was pushing us hard. He helped me with my footwork, ball carrying and stuff like that.”

The speedy athlete, who is transferring to Miami Central from Somerset Academy, said he wants to come back to FSU for a couple of games this fall.

While football was his focus during this trip, the younger Baker also competes in track and has posted impressive times in the 100 and 200 meters. The idea of him following in his parents’ footsteps at Florida State brings smiles to the entire family.

“Man, I’m still in shock,” Derrick Baker said of his son’s offer. “I’m still on cloud nine. It’s a great feeling. We talked about this stuff and prayed about it, and to see it all happening is special.”

While Kaj Baker is known as a running back, his father said his role likely will be expanded at Miami Central.

“He’s going to transition more as an athlete that can do a lot of things,” the older Baker said. “I think he’s a very quick kid. He has short and long speed. He’s a slasher. He also has fantastic vision, which is why I don’t want to take the running back position fully away from him — because of that vision and the way he attacks the line.”

Having coached his son in both sports, Derrick Baker said he is confident Kaj will be successful in whichever he chooses to focus on. The plan for now is to participate in both in college.

“I can honestly say I’m blessed to have a kid like him,” the older Baker said. “Not because he’s talented but he wants it so bad. He’s very coachable. He kind of pulls it out of me (laughing).”

Derrick Baker admitted he got emotional watching his son compete in drills during the FSU camp. He also was blown away by seeing all of the changes on campus.

“I almost got lost being back at FSU,” the former Seminoles track star said. “Soon as I drove on campus I was like, ‘Where did these buildings come from?’ The camp looked really good. I went back to the student union, and it looked so good. I actually need a tour guide on campus now.”

While the FSU offer was huge, it was one of several to come recently for Kaj. And as much as the family loves the Seminoles, Derrick Baker said they are very early in the recruiting process.

“Yeah, just enjoy it and take it one day at a time,” Derrick Baker said. “He does have a long road ahead of him, so I don’t want him to rush. Be respectful, honest and direct with everyone and enjoy it. You can only choose one at the end of the day.”

While Oregon and other schools are being considered, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the older Baker was a college teammate of current FSU sprints coach Ricky Argro.

“Yeah man, that’s my brother,” Derrick Baker said. “It started in 2003 and still to this day, that’s my brother and we talk all the time. When he comes to Miami, he always stops by and we catch up with each other. Doesn’t even have to be about sports. We will talk about anything.

“I would say with Ricky — as a teammate or anything — he’s passionate about what he does. He’s very loyal, and he’s one of the hardest-working human beings I’ve been around. I think that’s why he’s been able to be so successful.”

***Get all the latest FSU recruiting news first on our Premium Recruiting Board.***

The post Speed Runs In The Family: Legacy football, track target Kaj Baker excited about FSU offer appeared first on On3.