Transfer Running Back Believes He Is Fastest Player On FSU Football Team
Florida State is hoping to have reloaded heading into the 2024 season with major positions on the roster transitioning to the NFL. There will be playing time at nearly every position group with FSU sending 12 players to the 2024 NFL Combine and, under a Mike Norvell-coached team, speed is crucial for his explosive and high-powered offenses.
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Indiana transfer running back Jaylin Lucas, brother of veteran wideout, Ja'Khi Douglas, has dazzled with his quickness in both his coach's and teammates' eyes this spring and the rumblings of who is the fastest on the 2024 squad have already built a competition.
Lucas was recently interviewed by The Battle's End, an FSU NIL Collective, and asked the question about whether he or redshirt freshman Destyn Hill owns the crown for speed.
"I'm the fastest on the team," Lucas laughed. "Don't get me wrong, Destyn, he slides for sure but I feel like I'm the fastest on the team."
The 2022 Big-10 Return Specialist of the Year accumulated 2,052 all-purpose yards, including 1,163 kickoff return yards, 546 rushing yards, and 329 receiving yards, along with three kickoff return touchdowns, tying the Indiana school record during his two-year stint. It is no surprise that he's quickly turning heads in Tallahassee.
"There's people that can run and then there’s Jaylin Lucas. I know when he's in the game, you've got to be ready for him," teammate DJ Lundy said of Lucas after the sixth practice of spring.
With a self-claimed 4.29 40-yard dash, Lucas is up there with former FSU great Deion Sanders who ran an official 4.27 during the 1989 NFL Combine. While speed in the return game is the only comparison between the two, both have been talented specialists during their college careers.
"I think he broke the speed record yesterday. He ran like a 22.8 [mph]," FSU safety Shyheim Brown said. "When you've got a guy like that on the field competing against you, you've got to be on point."
It has yet to be seen what the Houma, LA native can do in Tallahassee and the race for swiftness will carry on throughout spring as the 'Noles gear up for their annual Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase on April 20.
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