Caziah Holmes explains transfer decision, personal reasons that drew him to Florida State

Florida State has done quite well in the transfer portal era under coach Mike Norvell, and one player who transferred late in the process prior to the 2022 season is itching to go. That’s sophomore Caziah Holmes, whose transfer came down to family.

Ultimately he left Penn State as fall camps were starting up around the country. He settled on Florida State as his new destination, but he couldn’t play in 2022 because he missed the NCAA’s free transfer window. Still, Holmes broke down his decision when meeting with the media on Wednesday.

“I think just being a Florida native, wanting to get back home, close to my family, close to my daughter, I think that was probably the bigger decision for me coming here,” Holmes said.

The 5-foot-11, 211-pound running back from Titusville, Fla., will probably factor into the team’s competition at running back this spring.

He’s itching for his opportunity after spending last fall on the scout team. Even before that Holmes wasn’t entirely sure what his football plans were or how they’d shake out.

The Seminoles, though, are happy to have him now.

“It was a bit weird at first because I was kind of stuck between if I was wanting to stay home or which school I was going to go to,” Holmes said. “But I think me talking to the coaches here and having a good plan and a good basis trying to get me here, stuck with it, wanting to come here, wanting to be a part of the team. I’m here now and I’m glad to be here.”

Caziah Holmes, FSU transfers eager for opportunity

As noted, Norvell’s success in the NCAA transfer portal extends beyond just Holmes. A pair of other transfers also met with the media on Wednesday: Jeremiah Byers and Fentrell Cypress.

They both discussed their reasons for picking Florida State.

“For me I’ll say it was kind of surprising, just how much hype I was getting during the moment but at the same time it was a blessing and overwhelming too. But I just tried to take it day by day and go through the process and just thankful for this blessing that God’s given me,” Cypress said. “So overall it was overwhelming but I was still thankful and it helped me out a lot just going through each school and figuring out what I wanted and what would help me become a better man on and off the field.”

You can read more about Byers, Cypress and their decision to transfer to FSU here.