There are now two successful football programs in Tallahassee with Florida State and FAMU flourishing. The Seminoles are 13-0 and have won double-digit games for the second consecutive season while the Rattlers just wrapped up a 12-1 season with a victory over Howard in the Celebration Bowl.
It's an exciting time for locals in the area with what Mike Norvell and Willie Simmons have been able to do on and off the field. Over the years, a couple of players have transitioned from Florida State to FAMU. That effort has turned into a landslide over the last couple of days.
On Friday evening, ex-Seminole offensive lineman Qae'Shon Sapp became the third former member of the roster to announce his transfer just down the road. He joins running back Rodney Hill and cornerback Demorie Tate in green and orange. Sapp is expected to have three years of eligibility remaining to utilize with the Rattlers.
The Georgia native spent two years at Florida State as a reserve offensive lineman. Most of his contributions came on the scout team but he did appear in two games. He earned three snaps in the home-opening victory over Southern Miss this past season.
Sapp committed to FSU as a four-star prospect in the 2022 class, choosing the program over Florida, Georgia, and Cincinnati. He displayed talent but was buried in a deep and experienced offensive line room over his time in garnet and gold.
Outside of Sapp, the Seminoles have seen quarterback AJ Duffy (San Diego State), running back Rodney Hill (FAMU), running back CJ Campbell (FAU), tight end Markeston Douglas (Arizona State), tight end Preston Daniel, offensive lineman Bless Harris (TCU), offensive lineman Thomas Schrader, offensive lineman Daughtry Richardson (FAU), defensive tackle Malcolm Ray, defensive tackle Ayobami Tifase, linebacker DJ Lundy, linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner, and kicker Tyler Keltner enter the portal.
Star defensive end Patrick Payton previously declared his intentions to do so but removed the references on social media and never officially appeared in the database.
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