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Patrick Surtain claims Florida State wide receiver unit is best in the country

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby: On3 Staff Report08/24/23
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Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (14) makes a one-handed catch over Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Justin Broiles (25) late in the game during the Cheez-It Bowl between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State Seminoles on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Heading into the 2023 season, Florida State is aiming to be the ACC champion and reach the College Football Playoff. A large part of that is an offense and a wide receiver unit that should be among the nation’s best.

Maybe not just among the best, but perhaps the best.

“It’s great. You’re probably not going to face a better unit in the country,” said defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain said.

The Florida State wide receiver unit is both deep and talented.

Returning is top receiver Johnny Wilson, who rang up 43 catches for 897 yards and five touchdowns last season. He has already demonstrated an excellent rapport with starting quarterback Travis Jordan, which should only get better in 2023.

Then there are some of the offseason additions.

Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman was one of the prized gets of the offseason, one of the top transfers on the market at any position. He hauled in 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns for the Spartans last season.

Throw in tight end Jaheim Bell from South Carolina at tight end and the pass-catching corps as a whole becomes pretty elite. Bell recorded 231 yards and two touchdowns receiving and 261 yards and three touchdowns rushing last fall.

The bottom line is Surtain knows his guys will be pretty well prepared when they face another opponent.

“When Saturday comes, not saying it’ll be easy, but they’ll have an idea what it is to go against elite guys,” Surtain said.

Mike Norvell praises passing game chemistry

One of the other scary aspects about Florida State’s wide receiver unit is that the group seems to have developed a really solid chemistry with Travis.

Head coach Mike Norvell commented on that chemistry recently.

“People talk about chemistry. Well chemistry doesn’t happen just because you want it to, it’s something that’s gotta be earned, it’s gotta be developed,” Norvell said. “And I think our guys have done a great job with that investing the time and you see those reps start to show up.”

Florida State will open the season on Sept. 3 with a game against LSU at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.