Florida State playmaker announces he’ll return for senior season

Florida State tight end Camren McDonald will return for his senior season, he announced Friday. It will mark his fifth season in Tallahassee.

McDonald set a career-high in receptions with 24 to go along with 243 yards and a pair of touchdowns this season. The Seminoles fell just short of bowl eligibility with a 5-7 finish.

Staying Power and Resilience.. #OneMoreYear pic.twitter.com/kFNaKk4ZbW

— Camm McDonald (@CaamMcd) December 17, 2021

He was the No. 14 tight end in the class of 2018 according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He committed to Florida State over offers from USC, Miami, Texas A&M and others.

After spending the first two seasons of his college career in a limited role, McDonald became a starter in 2020. He set a career-high with 263 yards receiving to go with two touchdowns.

In addition to McDonald, a few other Florida State seniors have announced their intent to return in 2022. They are defensive tackle Robert Cooper, linebacker Amari Gainer and receiver Keyshawn Helton.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell just concluded his second season as the Seminoles head man. So far, he has accumulated an 8-13 record and failed to make a bowl game. Since Jimbo Fisher left to take over Texas A&M in 2018, FSU has appeared in just one bowl. It lost in 2019 to Arizona State in the Sun Bowl.

The return of Camren McDonald for his senior season is sure to bolster the team’s expectations as they attempt to get back on the right track. In addition, Florida State signed the No. 14 overall recruiting class in 2022 according to On3 Consensus. Its 17-man class includes 10 four-star recruits to go with seven three-stars.

Cameren McDonald will get his first chance to make an impact in 2022 on Aug. 27 when Florida State opens its season against Duquesne. How many more of his teammates from this season will join him?