Joshua Farmer opens up on the difficulty of missing Orange Bowl with injury

The Florida State Seminoles entered the Orange Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs severely shorthanded last season after going unbeaten but being left out of the College Football Playoff. That included star defensive lineman Joshua Farmer missing the game due to injury.

It was difficult for Farmer to miss out on the Orange Bowl and he opened up on the difficulty of missing the game during ACC Media Days.

“It was pretty difficult because I wanted to be out there with my guys,” Joshua Farmer said. “I mean, it was hard to get over because that was a bowl game and I really wanted to play against Georgia and beat a team like that, but it is what it is. Everything happens for a reason. So, I didn’t beat myself down or nobody blamed nobody. It was alright.”

Farmer was dealing with a thumb injury for much of the 2023 season but had been playing through it. However, following the 2023 ACC Championship Game he required surgery on it, which forced him to miss the Orange Bowl and a large chunk of the offseason while he’s been recovering.

Florida State was dealing with plenty of missed players in the Orange Bowl. That started with star quarterback Jordan Travis, who broke his leg late in the season. It was that injury that helped lead to Florida State missing out on the College Football Playoff and ending up in the Orange Bowl in the first place.

Beyond the injuries, the Seminoles were also dealing with numerous opt-outs, as key players on both sides of the ball turned their attention to preparing for the NFL Draft.

Ultimately, the game was a massive loss for Florida State. By the time it was all said and done, a shorthanded Seminoles team lost 63-3.

Joshua Farmer shares injury update on himself as fall camp approaches

With fall camp rapidly approaching, Joshua Farmer shared an update on his injury and where he stands now.

“I feel very good. It was just my hand. Nothing was wrong with my legs. I ran and did everything. I feel good, better than ever. I’m in the best shape of my life. I just feel great,” Farmer said.

“Everything happen for a reason, so it’s no needs to beat myself up about it or nothing like that. I feel good.”

Farmer and Florida State have less time to get ready for the regular season than most teams do this season, with the Seminoles traveling to Dublin, Ireland for a Week 0 game against ACC rival Georgia Tech.