FSU football freshman wide receiver Jayvan Boggs has turned heads since arriving on campus, and he's ready to "make plays" for the Seminoles.
Florida State football true freshman wide receiver Jayvan Boggs has the Seminoles program buzzing about his potential with his performances in preseason camp.
Boggs has made noise since his arrival on campus in December, earning praise across the board from staff and players alike. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said the true freshman would be "in the mix," when discussing impact receivers. Houston transfer Jeremiah Wilson described Boggs as "cold." And USC transfer wide receiver Duce Robinson believes Boggs has the tools to be the best receiver in college football.
It's high praise for anyone, let alone a true freshman.
The 4-star out of Cocoa High School wasted little time learning what was needed for him to get on the field quickly in his career, and he credited his early enrollment for helping him get acclimated to the collegiate level.
"The game has kind of really slowed down, just practices, being used to it and having spring under my belt, it really did help," Boggs said. "
Throughout spring and fall camps, Boggs has put himself in a position to potentially start Week 1 against Alabama on Aug. 30, at Doak Campbell Stadium.
He's been highlighted on multiple occasions by coaches and those who observe practice, with Boggs labeled "advanced" for a freshman, and he doesn't look out of place at the collegiate level.
The freshman quickly developed a relationship with quarterback Tommy Castellanos, whom he described as a "big brother." The pair were throwing together as soon as they arrived on campus, and Boggs feels comfortable with the connection that was built.
"Me and Tommy we got a big brother, little brother relationship. That's my guy," Boggs said. "Since the day I got here, we've been throwing, since spring ball, we've been clicking. He's just been on me heavy, he wants me to get better and keep pushing me to the max so I can reach my full potential."
Jayvan Boggs's explosive playmaking ability a natural fit for Malzahn's offense
Boggs was a prolific receiver for Cocoa, recording 4,363 yards and 50 touchdowns in his four-year prep career. He rewrote the Florida record books in his senior season by breaking the single-game receiving record in the Class 2A State semifinals against Cardinal Mooney.
He posted 378 receiving yards and three touchdowns, a game before recording a touchdown in Cocoa's Class 2A state championship win over Gadsden County, his third straight title.
That explosive playmaking ability, particularly his ability to run after the catch, is something that Boggs feels has translated to the college level.
It's a playbook that Boggs likes, especially after he watched the success of receivers like Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson, who played under Malzahn at UCF.
He's adapted to the system quickly, and Malzahn is taking notice, saying Boggs has been playing really well and naming him alongside Robison and Squirrel White as players leading the room after the Seminoles' second scrimmage.
While the hype surrounding Boggs continues to grow, he said he's "keeping his head down" and continue to earn his reps through his work. One area Boggs said he wants to improve in is his play off the ball and working more as a blocker.
He's been labeled as having a "pro" mindset by his teammates, and when asked where it came from, Boggs credited his dad.
"It comes from my pops. From a young age, he stayed on me about the little things... stayed on me when it comes to school, grades, on the field and off the field. He just stayed on me heavy," Boggs said. "That's really taken me to the next level where they can kind of say I'm a pro, have a pro mindset."
In Malzahn's offense, Boggs could be used in a variety of roles, from deep balls to short, quick hit routes that rely on making a play after the catch.
How much he sees the field in the regular season, and the level at which he contributes, remains to be seen, but Boggs feels ready to contribute if his number is dialed up.
"His offense ... it's got different variables in it. So me having that YAC [yards after catch] ability to turn little plays into big plays, it's big," Boggs said. "Coach Malzahn, he finds ways to get the ball in guys' hands.
"If he gets the ball in my hands, just make plays after the catch."
FSU football 2025 schedule
- Aug. 30, Alabama, 3:30 p.m.
- Sept. 6, East Texas A&M, Noon
- Sept. 20, Kent State, TBA
- Sept. 26, at Virginia (Friday), 7 p.m.
- Oct. 4, Miami, TBA
- Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, TBA
- Oct. 18, at Stanford, 10:30 p.m.
- Nov. 1 Wake Forest, TBA
- Nov. 8 at Clemson, TBA
- Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA
- Nov. 21 North Carolina State (Fri.), 8 p.m.
- Nov. 29, Florida, TBA
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: How FSU football WR Jayvan Boggs is already emerging as playmaker
Category: General Sports
