FSU offensive lineman Bless Harris enters transfer portal

Injuries kept Harris from reaching his potential in garnet and gold

Florida State will be losing an offensive lineman, as redshirt senior Bless Harris announced he’ll be entering the transfer portal. Harris has one year of eligibility remaining after being granted another season due to injuries.

Harris transferred to FSU after two seasons at Lamar. He was injured during FSU’s win against Duquesne in 2022 and subsequently missed the rest of the season. He has again been hampered by injuries in 2023, preventing him from reaching his potential or any sort of consistency.

From Florida State Football:

2022:

Started season-opening 47-7 win vs. Duquesne at right tackle…Seminole Scholar…helped Seminoles record program’s first game with 400 rushing yards and 200 passing yards since 1995, one of two teams nationally to accomplish the feat in 2022 vs. Duquesne…missed rest of season due to injury.

BEFORE FSU:

Two-year contributor at Lamar…started five games at left tackle in spring 2021 season prior to injury…played in 10 games with two starts as redshirt freshman in fall 2019…helped block for Cardinal offense that ranked second in Southland Conference with average of 172.3 rushing yards per game…earned first-team all-district and all-metro honors his senior season at St. Augustine after leading Purple Knights to quarterfinal round of Division I state playoffs…ranked as 143rd overall prospect from Louisiana in Class of 2019…helped lead turnaround from two wins his sophomore season to 14 combined wins and two playoff appearances his final two years…helped St. Augustine advance to quarterfinal round of state playoffs his junior season…earned bachelor’s degree in general studies from Lamar.

Breaking: Florida State Star Opts Out Of Orange Bowl, Declares For 2024 NFL Draft

The Seminoles lose one of their top offensive weapons prior to the conclusion of the season.

The celebration in Tallahassee after Florida State’s first conference championship in nine years turned to dismay 12 hours later when the program learned that it was unjustly being held out of the College Football Playoff. With a consolation game against Georgia on the schedule for later this month, it wouldn’t be a surprise if multiple members of the roster decide not to play in the game to protect their professional futures.

On Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that FSU star wide receiver Johnny Wilson will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. He becomes the first member of the team to depart for the professional level as Wilson does not plan to suit up in the Orange Bowl on December 30.

Wilson is expected to participate in the Senior Bowl after a 2023 campaign that was marred by injuries. He missed three games and parts of two others after suffering two injuries within a short time of one another in October. Wilson finished the season with 41 catches for 617 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the time away from the field, he finished less than 50 yards behind Keon Coleman.

The previous season, Wilson led the Seminoles in receiving as part of a breakout first year in Tallahassee. He recorded 43 catches for 895 yards and five touchdowns, including a career performance in the win over Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl where he caught eight passes for 202 yards – an FSU postseason record.

Prior to transferring to Florida State, Wilson began his career at Arizona State. He’s developed into one of the top playmakers in college football over the last two years.

Wilson is projected as a top-100 draft pick and could boost his stock at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The postseason all-star event now allows non-graduate juniors to participate in Mobile.

NoleGameday will continue to monitor potential opt-outs as we move forward into December.