Breaking: FSU lands another transfer portal specialist

Reuniting with his brother, Ja’khi Douglas.

FSU has landed another transfer portal prospect, and this one is a family affair.

Following an official visit, former Indiana Hoosiers athlete and return specialist Jaylin Lucas has decided to join his brother, Ja’khi Douglas, in Tallahassee.

Lucas was recruited by FSU a bit out of high school. Though he has some modest production as a running back, Lucas makes his impact in the return game.

In his true freshman season in 2022, Lucas earned first-team All-America kick returner honors from numerous outlets after returning 22 kicks for 591 yards and two touchdowns. This year, he returned another 22 kicks for 572 yards and a touchdown.

The 5’7”, 170 pound athlete had this to say about being a smaller player in a BTN feature:

Lucas previously took official visits to the Louisville Cardinals, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Oklahoma State Cowboys, and Penn State Nittany Lions. FSU got the last crack at him and won out.

FSU will look to Lucas to make an immediate impact in the return game rotation. It will be interesting to see how Alex Atkins and Mike Norvell deploy him in offensive schemes, as Lucas could line up in the backfield or in the slot.

From his Indiana bio:

2022 Honors: Tabbed first-team All-America kick returner by CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, Walter Camp and USA Today … garnered second-team All-America kick returner from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) … named honorable mention All-America kick returner by Phil Steele … selected Freshman All-America kick returner by The Athletic, Football Writers Association of America and Pro Football Focus … Named Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year … first Hoosier to earn the award (began in 2015) … earned first-team All-Big Ten (return specialist) from the conference coaches and media panels … tabbed All-Big Ten by the Associated Press (all-purpose), Phil Steele (kick returner) and Pro Football Focus (kick returner).

2022 (Freshman): Appeared in 11 games … made first-career appearance against Idaho (9/10) … one of 33 student-athletes to make collegiate debut in 2022 … one of 15 true freshmen to make collegiate debut in 2022 … one of three true freshmen with a kickoff return touchdown in 2022 … returned first kickoff for a touchdown at IU since Tevin Coleman in 2012 (at Northwestern) … first Hoosier since Coleman in 2014 with three 70-yard scoring plays in a single season … led the FBS with two kickoff return touchdowns … totaled four carries for 16 yards against the Vandals … caught first career pass for 7 yards in win over Western Kentucky (9/17) … returned one kick for 20 yards against the Hilltoppers … rushed three times for 39 yards at Nebraska (10/1) … long run of 34 yards came in the second quarter … returned one kickoff for 21 yards against the Huskers … rushed four times for 45 yards against No. 4 Michigan … long run of 39 yards came in the second quarter … caught three balls for 20 yards … returned one kick for 20 yards against the Wolverines … took opening kick back 93 yards for touchdown at Rutgers (10/22) … first IU player to return kick for touchdown since 2012 (Tevin Coleman) … caught three balls for 39 yards … rushed six times for 27 yards against the Scarlet Knights … made one catch for 1 yard against No. 16 Penn State (11/5) and ran seven times for 7 yards … scored first career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Nittany Lions … rushed six times for 17 yards at No. 2 Ohio State (11/12) … caught one ball for 6 yards against the Buckeyes … rushed three times for 24 yards at Michigan State (11/19) … returned a third-quarter kickoff for an 88-yard touchdown … finished with 168 kickoff return yards, which rank No. 4 in program history for a single game and were the most since Demetrius McCray (191) versus Wisconsin in 2008 … posted first career 100-yard rushing game against Purdue (11/26) with 100 yards and one touchdown on nine carries … took IU’s second offensive play for a 71-yard touchdown run … tied for team high with five receptions … returned two kickoffs for 31 yards … totaled 130 all-purpose yards.

Prep/Personal: All-purpose back for head coach Brice Brown at Edna Karr High School … spent his first three high school seasons at Terrebonne High School before relocating following Hurricane Ida … ranked the No. 12 all-purpose back nationally by Rivals … first-team all-state selection … averaged 125.5 all-purpose yards … totaled 1,883 all-purpose yards with 958 rushing, 705 receiving, 135 kick return, and 85 punt return … rushed for 712 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior … tallied over 1,000 all-purpose yards with a pair of kick return TDs … also lettered in track and field … finished No. 6 at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association 5A 100-meter dash … brother, Ja’Khi, is a running back at Florida State University … mother is Natoya Harris … exercise science major … born on Sept. 28, 2004.