Former FSU LB Discusses Transferring from the Seminoles, Joining Deion Sanders at Colorado
Florida State had nine scholarship players depart from the team throughout the spring. Over the last couple of weeks, more than half of those former Seminoles have landed at Colorado - defensive end Derrick McLendon, linebacker Brendan Gant, safety Omarion Cooper, safety Travis Jay, and defensive tackle Bishop Thomas.
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With a massive roster transition underway in Boulder, new head coach Deion Sanders is pulling players out of the portal from around the country. The Buffaloes are trying to get back on track after winning just one game a season ago.
After spending most of his career as a rotational piece, former FSU linebacker Brendan Gant is looking to play a larger role at Colorado. He's got nothing but love for the Seminoles but wanted more of an opportunity.
“It was just something, we needed a new setting,” Gant said in an interview with BuffZone's Brian Howard. “It’s nothing against Florida State. Me personally, I love Florida State. It’s just all about opportunity and I feel like that was the best situation and opportunity for me.”
“I’m just so ready for a new setting. I had my good times, I had my bad times," Gant added.
Following his decision to enter the transfer portal in April, Gant quickly set up an official visit to watch the Buffaloes' spring game. He wasn't sure about the program coming into the trip but was sold after the experience.
“I was kind of shaky on whether or not I wanted to do it, but once I actually got up there and just observed everything, got around coaches, got around the players, got around the facilities, got around the city itself, it was just like, realistically, I planned on playing a couple more years after college,” Gant said. “You never know where that’s gonna be and what it’s going to be, so what’s the difference now? If this is what I want to do, then I shouldn’t let nothing, especially weather or anything, stop me.”
Gant sees an opportunity to step into a starting role at Colorado after only doing so six times in four years at Florida State. He was the Co-Special Teams Player of the Year and a contributor at linebacker for the Seminoles in 2022 but wants to showcase his abilities further.
“I definitely see the opportunity that I haven’t really gotten the past couple years,” Gant said. “I’ve had my chance. I’ve had my opportunities, but injuries and everything else happened.”
“My mindset is definitely like, ‘OK, now I know I’m coming, I have a real chance to be a starter and contribute.’ But my mindset really didn’t change," Gant continued.
It remains to be seen where Gant will play at on defense for Colorado. He began his career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker last year. Gant recorded 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 12 appearances last season.
The Florida native signed with the Seminoles under former head coach Willie Taggart before sticking with the program when Mike Norvell took over. During his four years in Tallahassee, Gant totaled 112 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 43 appearances, with six starts.
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