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Florida State's Micahi Danzy happy to be a Seminole | Newcomer's talk joining program
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- Florida State's Micahi Danzy happy to be a Seminole | Newcomer's talk joining program
Micahi Danzy is still adjusting to college living, but the Florida State football freshman says he's happy to be home.
The Florida High graduate and Tallahassee native is just a few miles from his parents. But he is living on his own for the first time now as a member of the Seminoles football program. While he is still getting accustomed to off-field adjustments, Danzy says he feels right at home in the talented FSU running back room .
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"It doesn't concern me, it actually helps me," Danzy said about the running back competition. "
They tell me from their experience and give me the experience... I'm just following them and seeing what they do and I'm going to put that in my inventory during the game."
Danzy said it was a "dream come true" to represent the Seminoles and he's happy to make his dad, who is an FSU fan, proud.
The freshman suffered a season-ending knee injury during his senior football season at Florida High. He recovered in time to run track, where he won two state titles and was named All-Big Bend Sprinter of the Year .
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Danzy said the initial change from high school track workouts to his first week with the Seminoles was a challenge. However, he feels good physically as he makes the transition back to football shape and continues to progress through offseason weight-training.
"I was doing track workouts but I was lifting to stay in football shape, but here there are so many different lifts I'm not used to," Danzy said. "Just getting into the workouts and getting used to it, now I'm moving pretty good."
Known as versatile running back, Danzy said he's been compared to Lawrance Toafili by Seminoles running back coach David Johnson . Danzy believes his versatility could be how he is used in the offensive schemes.
"We're both explosive and they can move us around a lot," Danzy said. "That's the dangerous part about us. We might not be able to get downhill like the thicker running backs, but you can move us around and get players tired."
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Ricky Knight , Elijah Moore settling in with deep defensive back, wide receiver rooms
Cardinal Newman Ricky Knight III is pulled down on a return Benjamin defender (6) during their football game on October 20, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Freshman defensive back Ricky Knight has long been on the Seminoles' radar, giving him his first offer in high school at Cardinal Newman in West Palm Beach and eventual commitment.
Knight said FSU just felt different in comparison to other schools trying to recruit him.
"My heart was just here," Knight said. "Every time I visited here I had a different feeling from other schools. I knew that was my calling and this was the place to be."
Knight a four-star prospect, said a big factor in coming to FSU was the connection he had with defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain. While Knight hadn't interacted with Surtain much before his recruitment, he knew of Surtain's talent and playing career, making him someone he knew he wanted to learn from.
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Joining a position group that was arguably one of FSU's strongest last season, Knight said he's enjoying the competition he faces from his teammates and the transition to the college pace.
"It's a lot faster, guys are stronger and more physical," Knight said. "Talking throughout the team, it's about being confident, you can't let anyone break your confidence. That's a big part of my game."
"To be a good corner you have to have a tough mind."
Knight said facing the Seminoles wide receivers in practice, and fellow freshman Elijah Moore , is good for his development as he feels the wideout group is strong.
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Moore, a four-star recruit from Maryland , says he and the wide receiver group have elite speed that can challenge any defense, but he also wants to show he has more to offer than just the threat of burning a defense for a long ball.
"We've got these fast guys and got speed that's no question," Moore said. "If I can hope in there with the speed and the height and my catching ability and route running, I feel like that can help us go for a championship."
One of the key factors in Moore's decision to come to FSU was the way taller receivers like Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman were able to thrive in the offense. Moore, who stands 6-foot-4, has been prioritizing learning the playbook as he looks to make an impact in his freshman season.
"The main thing to focus on is the playbook because that's how I'm going to get out on the field," Moore said. "There is a lot of opportunity for me to play this year, so that's why I'm focusing on the playbook so I can get out there."
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Mike Norvell's FSU longevity key to offensive lineman Jacob Rizy's recruitment
FSU transfer Jacob Rizy talks joining FSU
When looking at offers from the transfer portal, graduate transfer FSU offensive lineman Jacob Rizy said what stood out to him about the Seminoles program was both Mike Norvell and offensive line coach Alex Atkins's longevity at the school.
Rizy got in with FSU as his offensive coordinator at Harvard , Mickey Fein, coached Atkins in college and he helped the two connect when Rizy entered the portal.
Citing the high turnover rate of college coaches, Rizy said knowing the FSU staff is committed to the program was a big factor in his decision to transfer to Tallahassee.
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"I loved every single school that gave me an offer, but what it came down to ultimately was that Coach Norvell and Atkins have been here for years now," Rizy said. "They win a lot of games, and I really like winning games."
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamroone y
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football's Micahi Danzy, Ricky Knight, Elijah Moore, Jacob Rizy talk joining program
