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Home / Football / FSU Pulls off the Daily Double with the Commitments of Keir Thomas and D.J. Williams

FSU Pulls off the Daily Double with the Commitments of Keir Thomas and D.J. Williams

Florida State’s drive to change the culture and talent via the transfer portal once again proved beneficial today as the Seminoles landed a daily double in former South Carolina defensive lineman Keir Thomas and former Auburn running back D.J. Williams. 

Keir Thomas comes to Florida State as a 5 year player from South Carolina. The former Florida State commitment from Miami-Central should add experience and depth to FSU’s defensive line. In his Gamecock career, Thomas amassed over 140 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 44 games. 

What makes Thomas such a coveted transfer for FSU is how he can fit into defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s scheme. Thomas is a versatile lineman that can line up as a big-body edge, or he can line up inside and shoot the gaps, using his speed to beat linemen. With the addition of Keir, FSU continues to address the need of pass rushing, aggressive defenders. 

Noles247 reported after the announcement that Thomas is expected to be enrolled for spring which means he’ll be here for spring practice in a few months. 

After Keir’s announcement, FSU kept the news coming as they continue to add former SEC players to their roster. When La’Damian Webb decided to transfer closer to home last month there was some debate about whether FSU would take a running back. 

The Seminoles feel good where they are at with what’s on the roster right now, but they would look at backs that entered the portal and see how they fit. Former Auburn running back D.J. Williams entered the portal January 8th. Soon after FSU was all over him, knowing what Williams can be in the FSU offense. 

Williams finished off the Saturday “daily double” when he announced on his Instagram that he was transferring to FSU. 

D.J. is a runner that has the ability to get to top speed very quickly. While he isn’t a long-speed burner, his acceleration and suddenness allows him to get into the open field and eat up yards. He emerged during his senior year at Sebring showing great vision and balance. 

As a freshman, Williams had 130 yards on 13 carries against eventual National Champion LSU. In his two years at Auburn, he ran for over 500 yards on just 132 carries. 

Surely the familiarity D.J. has with FSU offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham played a role in the Noles landing this talented back, as Williams played under Dillingham in 2019. FSU gains a back that is a tough, tough runner that is very hard to bring down. Not to mention, Williams has three years of eligibility remaining, so this addresses the need both short and long term for Coach Norvell and his staff.

FSU’s work in the transfer portal isn’t done as former South Carolina safety Jammie Robinson is making an announcement Sunday, and the Noles continue to pursue former Oklahoma wideout Charleston Rambo, former Northwestern defensive end Eku Leota, and former Illinois end Owen Carney.

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