FSU OL Jeremiah Byers credits coaches for transfer

Even after a productive sophomore season at UTEP, Jeremiah Byers wasn’t sure if anybody would be interested in him when he entered his name into the transfer portal. As it turns out, the 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman didn’t have to wait long before the phone started ringing.

“When you hit the portal and you’re sitting there waiting and then your first phone call is [Florida State coach] Mike Norvell, you’re like, ‘OK, now it’s real,’” said Byers. “It was a blessing, but it was also very hectic.”

Byers found himself the center of attention once he added his name Dec. 5, notably after he was ranked among the top offensive line transfers in the nation.

“My mom says all the time that she felt like Sandra Bullock in [the movie] The Blind Side with the revolving door at the house and everything,” Byers said. “It was a fun process, but I was ready for it to be over with.”

The Texas native visited Maryland, Ohio, and Oregon before eventually settling on FSU.

“It was the best decision for me,” he said. “It was where I wanted to go and where I needed to be as a player and a person.”

Byers credits his connections with offensive line coach Alex Atkins and Norvell.

“When they came to my house, that influenced me the most. They made me feel like I was the priority here. They didn’t make me feel like I would be a number,” he said. “I wasn’t going to be a guy in a jersey where I’m just here to play ball for them. They wanted me to develop as a man. That’s what made me choose Florida State.”

[ FSU football: Reviewing the 2022 transfer class ]

In his first full season as a starter at right tackle with the Miners, Byers participated in a team-high 855 offensive snaps and didn’t allow a quarterback sack. He expects to play a hybrid role for the Seminoles, shifting between the right guard and tackle.

He’s embraced heightened competition, coming from Conference USA into the ACC.

“I wanted to play big-time football,” Byers said, “[and be] able to have the opportunity to play it and show what I can do at the higher level so I can get to the next level.”

Early enrollees on campus: Florida State unveiled its 2023-24 football roster Wednesday, including 18 early enrollees who were part of the 2023 recruiting class. Nine of those players were high school signees: DB Quindarrius Jones; DB K.J. Kirkland, DL Lamont Green Jr.; DL Jaden Jones; LB DeMarco Ward; OL Lucas Simmons; QB Brock Glenn; WR Hykeem Williams; and WR Vandrevius Jacobs.

Also included as part of the early enrollees’ group were all nine of the transfers who committed to FSU: TE Jaheim Bell (South Carolina); TE Kyle Morlock (Shorter); OL Jeremiah Byers (UTEP); OL Keiondre Jones (Auburn); OL Casey Roddick (Colorado); DL Braden Fiske (Western Michigan); DL Darrell Jackson Jr. (Miami); DL Gilber Edmond (South Carolina); and DB Fentrell Cypress (Virginia).

Notable changes: The most noteworthy names included the addition of offensive lineman D’Mitri Emmanuel, who joined the Seminoles last season as a sixth-year transfer. Emmanuel started all 13 games and was second among the offensive linemen in total snaps (834) behind Dillan Gibbons. He reportedly is applying for a waiver to play for a seventh season. … Offensive lineman Kayden Lyles has decided to end his playing career, according to a school spokesman. Lyles suffered a season-ending injury during fall camp after arriving in the offseason as a transfer from Wisconsin. … Offensive lineman Antavious Woody has switched to the defensive line, according to the roster.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.