Some of them will be coming from across the country. Others will be making a short trip across town.
Together, they will represent the most impressive gathering of Seminole football royalty to attend a Florida State regular-season game in years.
From recent alumni like Jameis Winston, Dalvin Cook, DeMarcus Walker and Devonta Freeman to players from the 1990s, 2000s and long before, the stands, luxury suites and even the sideline of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium are expected to be filled with FSU all-time greats.
To be certain, the hype and excitement surrounding Saturday’s showdown between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Florida State extends far beyond the fans and media.
“This is one of the more exciting regular-season games that I can remember in a long time,” said former defensive back Bryant McFadden, who starred at Florida State in the early 2000s before playing seven years for the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. “We’ve played against powerhouses in the past, but when you consider the magnitude of this game – when you look at tradition, prestige, consistency of winning games, the top players on both sides – this is one of the more exciting regular-season games I can remember.
“Alabama also is a school that we don’t usually get an opportunity to play unless it’s in the postseason or something like that. It has the feel of a championship matchup because both teams are ranked extremely high.”
McFadden, who said he hasn’t been to an FSU game since the 2014 College Football Playoff against Oregon, won’t have to travel far. He now makes Atlanta his home.
But ever since the game was announced, he and his former FSU teammates have been making plans to get together for the big weekend.
McFadden, who said he remains closest to the players who came into Florida State as part of the Class of 2000, can rattle off a list of former Seminole stars who will be in Atlanta – guys like running back Greg Jones, offensive tackle Alex Barron and defensive tackle Travis Johnson.
He said the neutral-site game makes for a perfect reunion site because it is much easier to fly in and out of than Tallahassee or other college towns.
“Atlanta is a city that people usually travel to anyway,” McFadden said. “It’s an easy commute whether you’re in the state of Georgia or outside the state of Georgia.”
Other players will be coming from much farther distances. Former Seminole quarterback Xavier Lee told Warchant earlier this week he will be flying in from Omaha, Neb. He plans meeting up with former teammates like cornerback Tony Carter and wide receiver De’Cody Fagg.
Former FSU star DeMarcus Walker posted on Twitter that he will be flying in from Denver.
