UPDATE: Vandy OL transfer Joshua Raymond commits to FSU

Former Vanderbilt offensive lineman Joshua Raymond has signed with Florida State — one day after his official visit with the Seminoles.

He is the second FSU OL transfer commitment in two days.

Florida State confirmed the signing Thursday afternoon.

“I’m happy that Josh is joining our Nole Family,” Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell said. “He is returning to his home state with four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting this past season and brings a tremendous amount of potential. Josh is a fierce competitor with a high ceiling who helps us continue building our offensive line room with players ready to make an impact on our current team and in the future. I’m excited for what Josh is going to do in our program.”

Here is the full story from his Wednesday visit:

FIRST REPORT

The Florida State Seminoles landed one transfer offensive lineman early on Wednesday when former Rutgers freshman Ja’Elyn Matthews committed to the Seminoles. But they’re not done yet.

FSU also hosted former Vanderbilt offensive lineman Joshua Raymond, and he also had very high praise for the Seminoles.

Raymond, who is leaving the SEC school after just one season, appears to be down to Florida State and UCF. The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder is originally from the Orlando area and is looking to get back closer to home.

“It was amazing seeing Florida State and seeing Coach [Herb] Hand,” Raymond said. “We were talking towards the end of my recruitment while he was at UCF, and it was nice to get coached by him, break down film and see how he coaches. He’s a great dude — really smart guy, and he’s open to learning new techniques.”

Here’s more from Raymond on his visit:

On what position Florida State sees him at: “I have the ability to play tackle or guard. I would probably be a guard here. If they want to get me in space, I can move, pull, run screen, and I can really work in space. He loves my athleticism. Once I get on the field, we will see where I end up.”

On the Seminoles’ interest: “Coach Hand was actually the first person to call me when I hit the portal. I think it was like two or three minutes when I entered. Me and him go back since high school, so immediately when I entered, he hit me up and said, ‘Your my guy. Let’s get you over here.”

Is a commitment to Florida State coming? “No, I didn’t commit. I haven’t had a chance to talk with my mom because she’s in Ohio. So I want to talk to her. I also want to talk with my trainer Aaron Jones (a former Seminoles defensive lineman), who works with Trench Academy. He’s been a guiding light. …

“I meant to enter the portal silently. I’ve told a lot of schools I’m only looking at FSU and UCF. I want to be in Florida. That’s really my main two.”

On his connection with Florida State OL Gunnar Hansen: “Gunnar was our starting quick tackle at Vandy, so he worked with me a lot because I was a tackle at Vandy and we played the same position. He took me a little bit under his wing and taught me the difference between high school and college. So I was already close with him. So it’s just a good fit.”

What he likes about FSU: “Florida State is amazing. The long history of winning. Just everything they have is top-tier football. But also the coaching staff and Coach Mike Norvell. He’s amazing. He’s a real straight-shooter guy. When you sit down and talk with him, he’s a regular guy. He doesn’t have this ego. Family, faith and football. That’s what he’s about, and what I’m about. He’s a great guy.”

Favorite moment of the two-day visit to FSU? “Honestly, my favorite moment was probably watching football with Coach Hand. I love the sport, I’m obsessed with football and I love learning, expanding my game. So we were probably in there for three hours watching film, and it felt like 20 minutes. So I could just sit there and talk football all day.”

Final thoughts on FSU? “I want to play football, and I want to make FSU great and win national championships if it’s here. Love competing.”

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