10/8/2023 football Edit

FSU wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. no longer with the Seminoles

Curt Weiler • TheOsceola

Senior Writer

Five weeks into the season, the Florida State football program has had its first roster defection.

A day after FSU's 39-17 win over Virginia Tech, wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. has left the program, a school spokesperson confirmed to the Osceola.

"Everybody's got one chance going through this journey. Winston, I love him. He's a great young man. Wish all the best in his future. He's been through challenging situations," FSU head coach Mike Norvell said Monday.

Wright arrived at FSU as a promising transfer from West Virginia, having amassed over 1,200 receiving yards with the Mountaineers over the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

However, he was in a serious car accident in March 2022, months after arriving at FSU, and was forced to miss the entire 2022 season due to a leg injury sustained in the accident.

"Obviously what he went through last year. It was hard and it was hard for everybody. Having to see him, just the ebb and flow of rehabbing to get back, and it doesn't go necessarily how you want. But ultimately he was back and he was working and continuing to build to increase a role and as we move forward, as I tell all of our players, right, this is very competitive. I mean, you're here at Florida State. Every day is going to be a challenge. You're going to get pushed," Norvell said. "All I ask is whatever your situation, whatever the circumstance, you pour it all into it. Winston is going to have a great future in front of him. Whatever decision he makes, whether it's to continue on another year of eligibility he can utilize; I'm going to cheer for that kid forever. You support him as he makes decisions but no matter where you are, if you can't put all into it or there's other things that are going on, then I support them in whatever they choose to do. I'll forever love that young man for the journey he's been on and just who he is."

Wright worked hard to return to his former form and has played in four games this season. He recorded four catches for 36 yards in FSU's first two games, but recorded no catches in the last three games. He didn't play any offensive snaps Saturday against Virginia Tech while Destyn Hill and Ja'Khi Douglas, his two fellow co-starters at the slot receiver position, played a combined 41 plays.

He had emerged as FSU's primary kick returner over the last few weeks, but had not returned any in a game.

Wright was listed as a redshirt senior as a three-star recruit in the 2019 class. However, he would likely be eligible for a medical redshirt considering he missed the entire 2022 season due to injury.