Freshman defensive back Antonio Cromartie Jr. couldn’t ask for a better Christmas present last year when he received a phone call from Florida State football coach Mike Norvell, offering him a full ride.
Now officially enrolled, the former three-star prospect is looking forward to following in his father’s (Antonio Cromartie Sr.) footsteps in playing for the Seminoles, a team that he grew up watching throughout his childhood years.
“I feel like I’ve always loved FSU. I grew up around it,” Cromartie said on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I was at every game when I was little, so it’s kind of like a dream, coming to play here, so like in my opinion, why not continue that legacy that he had here? Obviously, he was a great player, and it’s my time to follow my path.”
‘I love being a legacy kid’: Antonio Cromartie Jr. wants to be better than what his father was
Cromartie Sr., a versatile athlete from Lincoln High, played for the late Bobby Bowden from 2003 to 2005 before moving on to play 11 seasons in the NFL.
Now the younger Cromartie is striving not to settle into being like his old man. He wants to be better than the four-time Pro Bowler.
Cromartie Sr. has been with him every step of the way. Before enrolling in the summer, both Cromarties would train together throughout the offseason, working on techniques and weight training.
In his senior year, the Carrollton grad weighed 170 pounds. He is now 185 since joining the roster. He owed everything to his father for giving him the tools he needed before he took the next step as a college player.
“I love him to death,” Cromartie Jr said. “He’s always like giving me pointers, giving me stuff like, I can do better. When he gets a chance to, he gets me better as a player.”
Cromartie Jr. is not the only legacy player on the roster. Wide receiver Duce Robinson, son of Dominic, also followed in his dad’s footsteps when he transferred from USC.
FSU recently received commitments from both wide receiver Devin Carter, who is the son of former running back Dexter Carter, and DB Jay Timmons, who is the son of former linebacker Lawrence Timmons.
Despite the pressure and expectations that come with being a legacy player, Cromartie Jr. seems to embrace it and is proud to carry on the Cromartie mantle at FSU. He encourages other FSU legacy players to be part of the program.
“I love being a legacy kid,” Cromartie Jr. said.
“I kind of try to get more legacy kids because I feel like it’s a great opportunity to continue that. That’s my biggest thing. It’s to continue that legacy of greatness and to be on that path of being a great or greater than he was. He always tells me he wants me to be better than he ever was, and so that’s my goal to strive greater than he ever was.”
Antonio Cromartie Jr. reunites with his high school teammate
Fortunately for Cromartie Jr., he doesn’t face his first year alone. His high school teammate and childhood friend, Shamar Arnoux, is also entering his first year at FSU.
“He’s a ball player. That’s my guy since I was nine years old, so he’s been my dog since day one, so just having the opportunity to play with him like I did last year, it’s just a great feeling.”
Arnoux was an early enrollee when he signed. Already showing some flashes throughout the spring, he is ahead of schedule after completing his first offseason program.
While Cromartie is looking to catch up to speed, he is also excited to catch up with his former high school team, as the last time they played together, Carrollton was 14-1 and played in the 6A State Championship game.
“That defense was definitely special,” Cromartie recalled.
“The biggest part was that nobody had an ego. Nobody thought they were bigger together. We all just came together and got to work. I feel like the biggest part with uh with me and Dudie like we just get to work, make plays on the field, so that’s just how it went.”
Arnoux was thrilled when Cromartie Jr. signed to FSU, knowing what he is capable of. Earlier in the year, he expressed the work ethic and consistency Cromartie brings and how important it was to him to play for the Seminoles once he was offered by them.
“He has been looking forward to this. This is his big moment,” Arnoux said.
“He came down here to camp every year and, like other people, would have given up and lost hope in their dreams, but he kept fighting like he was the true definition of hard work. I salute that man.”
Cromartie Jr. believes he can play anywhere in the secondary. He also knows that he needs to adjust to the 3-3-5 scheme that is in play by first-year defensive coordinator Tony White.
“I came here for a reason. I came here to make plays on the field. Whenever I get my opportunity, I’m going to make the plays I can,”
“Right now, I just put my head down, work, learn from the older guys, learn the defense, and learn the college speed of the game. I feel like I’ve been adjusting pretty well to that, so just whenever my time comes, start making plays, but right now, just put my head down. “
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football freshman DB Antonio Cromartie Jr. strives to be better than his father
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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