Mike Norvell on adding Jaylin Lucas: 'He was the right fit for our program'

During Florida State‘s 2024 Booster Tour, head football coach Mike Novell raved about his team’s upcoming season to those looking to support the program. One individual he could not stop talking about was running back Jaylin Lucas.

While discussing what’s in store for the Seminoles in 2024, Norvell sang the praise of his highly touted transfer acquisition.

“I mean, he was the right fit for our program. It wasn’t necessarily just for the running back room. You see, he’s a dynamic playmaker,” Norvell said. “Last year, we had a couple of really good guys; Trey Benson was one of the most explosive running backs in the country [with] home run-hitting capability. And then also looking in the return game, we’ve been pretty remarkable. Keon (Coleman) last year was the Special Teams Player of the Year in the ACC. So we wanted to make sure that we had that type of dynamic player. With Jalen, when that became potential, it was definitely something that we sought after.”

Lucas made his way to Florida State after starting his collegiate career in Indiana as a Hoosier. In Bloomington, he was used as a multi-faceted weapon for the Hoosier offense and special teams unit. During the 2022 season, his first, Lucas, was deployed as a kick-off returner on special teams and was a rotational running back for the offense, putting up 271 total rush yards on a solid 5.5 yards per carry. He returned 21 kicks for 591 yards as well, for an average of more than 28 yards per return.

As Norvell continued, he discussed the mindset Lucas has and why it made him a fit.

“He’s got the right edge. You talk about the fit; he fits us,” raved Norvell. “I mean, he’s got a great work ethic (and is) very determined — It’s every day he brings that. He’s very supportive of his teammates (and) of the guys that are going through the process with him. I just think he’s been, for the last six months of being here; he’s just been incredible.”

In 2023, Lucas put up nearly identical numbers in kick-off return and on the ground, but his role as a pass catcher spiked this fall. He recorded 275 rushing yards, 247 receiving yards, and another 572 yards in kick-off returns. This time around, he also returned nine punts but for only 14 total yards.

Florida State fans will get their first look at Lucas and what he brings to the Seminoles program in Week 0 when the team travels to Dublin, Ireland, to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this article