Alabama Transfer RB Roydell Williams Models Himself After FSU Football Legend Jameis Winston

"Being able to be smart and know the game but most importantly being able to be an effective player on and off the field."

The Florida State Seminoles are gearing up for spring camp next month as the class of 2024 continues to get acclimated to life as a Seminole. After the 2023 season, over a dozen players left to pursue careers at the next level, leaving the roster with many question marks.

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A major point of emphasis has been on the running back position. With Trey Benson moving on to the NFL and Lawrance Toafili nearing the end of his eligibility, Florida State's answer was the addition of Alabama transfer Roydell Williams, who met with the media on Tuesday. 

"Just his energy that he brings every day," Williams said about what appealed to him about FSU head coach Mike Norvell. "The way he just communicates with us as a team when we're all together is unmatchable. His level of intensity is crazy."

Williams had 111 carries for 560 yards and five touchdowns while adding another score through the air in 2023. He described his playing style as a "physical speed back."

"Being a physical speed back. Very powerful," Williams said on his game. "Being able to be smart and know the game but most importantly being able to be an effective player on and off the field."

Florida State fans might recognize the Hueytown, AL native's hometown. He shares it with former FSU National Champion and Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston. Williams said that while growing up, he would watch Winston in high school and modeled his leadership style after the New Orleans Saints quarterback.

"Oh man, with me being at such a young age, I used to go to all the high school football games. It was kind of wild to see him on the team, and he won the Heisman... So it's like, 'I can do that there, let's try, let's go for it.'"

"I kind of worked my way around the things that he does and some of the ways him being the leadership, him being vocal, a vocal leadership, you know?" Williams continued. "You see some of his videos, and I kind of translate my work and what I do on and off the field to some of the things that he does."

The 5'10'', 215-pound senior is among five Alabama transfers in the 2024 class. A growing theme among the transfers is how closely they stuck together throughout the process. 

"I'm very close with those guys. Whenever I had a question about my recruiting process, I called those guys. When I got down here, I called them, 'Hey, what's the closest food spot you know they got down here? What's it like with the workouts before I got the workouts?' They helped me a lot."

Early season projections have the 'Noles at the cusp of winning ten games in 2024 and Williams alongside the No. 4 transfer class will play a major role in acheiving that goal. 

Williams' full interview can be seen below.

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