Jammie Robinson details growth at Florida State, All-ACC selection

Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson has earned an All-ACC selection for his play at safety this season. Robinson, who is in his second season with Florida State after transferring into the program from South Carolina in 2021, was the anchor of the Seminoles’ secondary this year. After his play and leadership on the field earned him conference recognition, Robinson detailed his growth since entering the program.

“Whenever I came here, I just knew coach Fuller, coach Wilson, and the whole defensive coaching staff; they all had a plan for everyone,” said Robinson. “Myself, everyone that came in, and everyone that’s part of our defense right now. Everyone’s got their own plan. I feel like the coaches put a blueprint together perfectly, and they just use me in a great way. And I just went out there and executed every call; whatever was called for me, I was just there to do it for the team.”

Florida State has had an impressive turnaround season, from 5-7 last year to 9-3 in 2022. That is thanks to their improved play on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. And Robinson’s play at safety has not gone unnoticed, especially and the eyes of draft experts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, and Jordan Reid. Hyper has Robinson as the seventh-best safety prospect of the 2023 NFL draft. In contrast, McShay and Reid have him as the fifth best.

Florida State DE Patrick Payton honored as ACC Defensive Rookie of Year

While many of the Florida State football team’s top players this season were transfers, Mike Norvell and the Seminoles’ coaches also have proven they can recruit and develop elite high school players.

Perhaps the best example of that this year is redshirt freshman defensive end Patrick Payton, who emerged this fall as Florida State’s second-best pass-rusher. And on Wednesday, Payton was honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference as the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

He is the third Seminole to win the award, which was first introduced in 2007, and the first since 2012. Previous winners were cornerback Xavier Rhodes in 2010 and cornerback Ronald Darby in 2012.

Payton, who was a four-star prospect when he signed with FSU out of Miami Northwestern High in the class of 2021, saw very limited game action during his first year on campus. But as a key member of the Seminoles’ defensive end rotation this fall, he recorded four sacks to finish second only behind All-ACC first-teamer Jared Verse.