Shortly after announcing his decision to transfer to Florida State, former Arkansas cornerback Jarques McClellion spoke with Warchant's Michael Langston on Sunday about his decision, how he chose the Seminoles and more.

McClellion, who said he measures in at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, plans to report to FSU around Jan. 3 for the spring semester.

Here is the rest of that conversation:

Q: Having grown up in South Florida, what's it feel like joining the Seminoles?

A: It's a great feeling to come home and play for my home state and one that has been my dream school. Several members of my family are 'Nole fans, with my dad being the exception as he played at Ohio State.

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Q: How did you end up talking to Florida State after entering your name into the transfer portal?

A: I mostly talked with Coach Norvell (head coach Mike Norvell). Coach said they need cornerbacks, and he needs a lock-down cornerback. And he wants a player that can help this secondary build and get the 'Noles back on top and being DBU.

Q: What's the big appeal about coming back to Florida to play?

A: Words can't describe how excited I am and blessed to play for my home state at a school like FSU, which was one of my dream schools growing up. My family and me are very excited, and everything is so surreal right now. My dad played at Ohio State when I was a really young kid, and I was still doing the chop watching him. FSU has always been a dream school.

Q: Who else have you spoken with on the FSU staff?

A: I also have been talking with the defensive coordinator, Adam Fuller, and cornerbacks coach Marcus Woodson. They have been on me pretty hard. Coach Woodson is a great coach, and now I just want to make him and Coach Norvell proud and come in and make an impact. I can't wait to watch film, break things down and get to work. I believe in everything Coach Norvell is doing with this program and the future.

Q: Did you have any previous connections to this FSU staff or players on the team?

A: I didn't have a previous relationship with anyone on the staff except for Marcus Davis (who is on the support staff). I know him personally because we are both from the Delray Beach area. I also know the Dent brothers. Not like a personal relationship, but I know of them. I knew Coach Davis growing up, and he was a role model to a lot of the younger kids like me at that time. So that's the connection there.

Q: What do you feel like you bring to the cornerback position?

A: I feel two years playing in the SEC West and starting, I bring a lot to the table in playing aggressive and physical as possible, and a guy that's going to have his own swagger on the field and create an impact. I just want to help this secondary get a big push to go where the defense wants to go. I feel as a cornerback, I can lock anyone up. They call me, "Pac Man," because this is my world and game. I feel I can't be stopped.

Q: What was the attraction to joining this FSU defense?

A: I would say the attraction was the D-Line and linebackers, and the talent they have returning. But also joining a really talented group of guys in that secondary. I love how a lot of them play in that secondary, and how we can compete off each other.

Q: It sounds like FSU's staff didn't waste any time reaching out when you went into the portal.

A: Yes, right when I got in the portal, they were on me really hard. They made it clear how much of a priority I was from the start. Man, seeing them offer so fast as a DB was such a blessing. FSU actually wanted me as a receiver out of high school, so seeing how things have worked out is so surreal.

More on the decision to leave Arkansas:

Last year, my mom was in critical condition, so that was a hard season for me. So I wanted to have a place closer to home, where I could see my mom a lot more. Plus I also was quarantined twice this year for stomach problems, so that was tough, and I wanted to try and get somewhere close to home. My stomach is all the way right now. I felt it was time to come back home.

One day after entering the NCAA transfer portal, former Arkansas defensive back Jarques McClellion announced Sunday he is planning to transfer to Florida State.

The former three-star prospect from American Heritage in Delray Beach, Fla., signed with Arkansas in 2017 and was a starting cornerback for most of the 2018 and '19 seasons before opting out in 2020.

He should have two years of eligibility remaining with the Seminoles.

McClellion recorded 25 tackles as a redshirt freshman and 34 as a sophomore.

The 6-foot, 188-pounder chose the Razorbacks over Michigan State, Nebraska, Louisville, West Virginia, Wisconsin and several other programs. His father, Central McClellion, played collegiately at Ohio State and in the NFL.

McClellion is the Seminoles' second Division-I transfer in this class, joining former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton.

Also see: Schoffel: Norvell leaving plenty of 'cap space' for reshaping FSU roster

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