Florida State Makes Cut For UAB Safety Transfer Who Played High School Ball In Tallahassee

The Seminoles are pursuing a breakout safety transfer that has local ties.

After entering spring practice over the scholarship limit, Florida State finds itself with a couple of spots to fill after eight members of the roster entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. With the spring window closing at the conclusion of Sunday, the Seminoles are expected to pick up their pursuit of players in the portal at a multitude of positions.

READ MORE: Florida State Loses Another Safety To The NCAA Transfer Portal

Over the last couple of days, Florida State has suddenly grown thin at safety with redshirt junior Travis Jay and junior Omarion Cooper announcing their intentions to move on. That leaves the program with only four scholarship players at the position - redshirt senior Akeem Dent, redshirt sophomore Shyheim Brown, true freshman KJ Kirkland, and true freshman Conrad Hussey - ahead of the summer.

The Seminoles are already involved with at least one safety in the transfer portal who has local ties.

On Sunday, UAB grad transfer safety Jaylen Key revealed his top-six schools. Florida State was among the programs to make the cut that also included Alabama, Ohio State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, and Oregon.

Top 6 ⏳⏳ pic.twitter.com/oRika1A0En

— Jaylen Key (@Jaylen_Key) April 30, 2023

Key has spent the last five seasons with the Blazers and is coming off a breakout year in 2022 where he recorded a career-high 60 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. During his time at UAB, he appeared in 43 games, totaling 74 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection.

Interestingly enough, he starred locally at Godby High School and is from Quincy. If proximity to home has any impact on his transfer recruitment, the Seminoles can offer an opportunity that is second to none. There is also plenty of playing time available with Dent and Brown as the only two safeties on the roster with game experience.

The next step will be getting him onto campus for an Official Visit. Florida State has landed nine players out of the portal and holds the No. 5 transfer class in the country according to 247Sports.

READ MORE: Florida State's Jammie Robinson Selected in Fifth-Round of NFL Draft by Carolina Panthers

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