Richie Leonard never imagined playing in Tallahassee.
However, this off-season, the four-year member of the Florida Gators traded in his orange and blue for garnet and gold to maximize his final year of eligibility.
“Just always having a lot of respect for those guys. The discipline that they had as a team…I knew entering the portal it would be a viable option for me.”
His new teammate, Camdon Frier, never could have imagined playing anywhere else. His father, Matt, was team captain of the ‘93 team, and his uncle won a national championship with the ‘Noles six years later. Frier committed almost two years before national signing day in January of 2022 and talked about his recruitment process.
“I came a Florida State fan out of the womb. It’s always had a special place in my heart. I went through my recruitment process; Coach Norvell Coach Dugans jumped on me first and made me feel wanted…My dad had a little factor, but it’s mostly Coach Norvell.”
Like Leonard, RB Roydell Williams played in the SEC last season but took motivation from former FSU running back Trey Benson.
“Just watching his tape, that guy was a monster. His playing style he’s a hard runner, physical, fast…I saw a little of myself when I watched his tape.”
Finally, Lawayne McCoy wrapped up the day and discussed idolizing Dalvin Cook, who also attended Miami Central.
“I used to always watch his highlights. He’s a Miami native, so watching his highlights motivated me to come to Florida State.”
The full media availability can be seen below.
OL Richie Leonard IV
Richie Leonard IV on his relationship with Alex Atkins: “Everything that he told me during the recruiting process has been what it has been here. He’s really on accountability, and he’s not just on what he can do for you but what you could do for you.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Richie Leonard IV, starting us off today, mentions, “It was a quick process for me. I entered it kind of late. Florida State reached out pretty quickly after I got in. It was a good fit for them and a good fit for me.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Richie Leonard on the off-season workouts, “Tour of Duty is the real deal. We did something similar to that at my last school, but the intensity here is on a whole other level.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
RB Roydell Williams
Roydell Williams on Mike Norvell, “His energy that he brings every day. The way he communicates with us as a team when we’re all together. The level of intensity is crazy.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Roydell Williams on his play style, “Being a physical speed back. Very powerful.” He says he wants to understand the offense, and his play style revolves around making the right plays at the right times.
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Roydell Williams on his Alabama teammates, “I’m very close with those guys. Whenever I had a question, I asked those guys during my recruitment process…They helped me a lot.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
WR Camdon Frier
Camdon Frier on his relationships, “Me and Cai, that’s my guy. We hit it off just like that. We got the same type of morals as humans, not just as players…this is a real tight-knit group…it feels like I’ve known these guys longer than a month.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Camdon Frier on the mentality of the WR room, “There is excitement of the opportunity. But we also know that there is work to do. There are big shoes to fill…the guys are motivated, and it makes me motivated.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Camdon Frier on his relationship with Coach Dugans, “I’ve known him for four years now…He was different to me than any other receiver coach that recruited me. He never started out with football. It was always How are you doing?”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
WR Lawayne McCoy
Lawayne McCoy on Dalvin Cook, “I used to always watch his highlights. He’s a Miami native, so watching his highlights motivated me to come to Florida State.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
Lawayne McCoy, on his position, said, “I was getting scholarship from both sides, but I want to play receiver. As a kid, when I was 9 years old, I just liked catching touchdowns.”
— Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) February 13, 2024
