He is 'Him' ... Former FSU WR Tyriq Withers grabs starring role in new movie thriller
Tyriq Withers never achieved stardom with the Florida State football team, but it likely prepared him very well for his starring role in the new Universal Pictures feature film “Him,” which is set to be released in theaters on Friday.
Withers, a Jacksonville native, played high school football and soccer at Paxon before enrolling at Florida State and walking onto the Seminoles’ football team as a wide receiver in 2016. The 6-foot, 5-inch wideout made the team that year and he even earned a spot on the Seminoles’ travel roster for the Orange Bowl, although he never played in a game.
Withers left the team in 2017 and later began pursuing a career in acting while finishing up his bachelor’s degree from FSU. After earning roles in the television series “Atlanta” and “The Game,” Withers’ first film starring role came in the 2025 version of the horror flick, “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which hit the box office this past summer.
Now, he is sharing top billing with Marlon Wayans in the psychological sports horror film, “Him.” The feature attraction is produced by Jordan Peele, the comedian-turned-filmmaker who is perhaps best known for writing and directing the the critically acclaimed 2017 psychological thriller, “Get Out.”
Trailers and posters for “Him,” with Withers featured prominently, began appearing on TV commercials and social media in recent weeks, and they certainly grabbed the attention of some of his former Florida State teammates.
“I actually roomed with him at the Orange Bowl,” said Justin Motlow, who also was a walk-on wide receiver at FSU and played from 2014-17. “We didn’t talk a whole lot, but I remember him being a very genuine guy, and he got along great with everyone. He was also a good receiver, so it’s cool to see him in a movie about football.”
Jared Jackson, who was a walk-on receiver at Florida State from 2013-17, said Motlow was the one who actually told him about Withers appearing in the movie. Jackson said he wasn’t close with Withers either, but he is looking forward to checking out the movie.
“He was a great teammate who seemed like a good guy and was always kind to everyone,” Jackson said. “It’s great to see him having success beyond football.”
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Based on the promotional materials from Universal Pictures and Peele’s production company, Monkeypaw Productions, “Him” is not a traditional sports feature. It instead is being billed as an, “anti-sports horror movie.”
“A blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, power and the pursuit of excellence at any cost,” is how Universal describes it.
The film, “centers on a promising young football player who is invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty team’s aging QB1,” according to Monkeypaw’s website.
Wayans plays the quarterback legend, and Withers is his protege.
In a recent interview, Withers said he primarily played soccer growing up but decided to give football a try late in his high school career. He did well enough to earn a spot on Florida State’s roster as a freshman.
“I played one year of college football and we won the Orange Bowl,” Withers told Interview Magazine. “Not saying I played, but I was on the team. [Laughs]”
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