Surprising Move: Cam Riley notifies the Auburn Tigers of his departure.
Florida State’s activity in the NCAA Transfer Portal has noticeably decreased this spring compared to the busy period they had in December and January. Instead, they’ve been focusing on exploring potential upgrades at positions of need for the upcoming 2024 season.
Recently, Cam Riley, a graduate transfer linebacker from Auburn, announced his decision to continue his college football journey with Florida State. Riley, who has one season of eligibility left, is expected to vie for a starting position opposite redshirt senior DJ Lundy.
Riley’s transfer journey has been intriguing. After leaving Auburn a few months back, he initially committed to North Carolina State but later withdrew his pledge, paving the way for Florida State’s opportunity.
Despite the talent in Florida State’s linebacker corps, players like Omar Graham Jr, Shawn Murphy, Blake Nichelson, and Justin Cryer didn’t significantly stand out during spring practice. Riley, with his SEC experience, brings a proven track record to the Seminoles.
Originally recruited by Gus Malzahn at Auburn, Riley became a regular in the team’s rotation over the past two seasons. He had a standout 2022 season as a starter, tallying 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection.
While his role diminished slightly under Hugh Freeze’s coaching last season, Riley still put up respectable numbers. His imposing physical presence, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 242 pounds, adds a unique dimension to Florida State’s defense.
As Riley integrates into the team, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and linebackers coach Randy Shannon will need to strategize on how best to utilize his size and skills effectively.
Riley joins a linebacker group featuring DJ Lundy, Omar Graham Jr, Shawn Murphy, Blake Nichelson, Justin Cryer, DeMarco Ward, Timir Hickman-Collins, and Jayden Parrish. His commitment marks the second significant transfer addition for Florida State this spring, following Omarion Cooper from Colorado.
