A key member of FSU’s 2026 recruiting class announced on Wednesday that he will miss spring practice as he recovers from a knee injury. Izayia Williams revealed that while he is running at full speed and “feeling pretty good,” he will sit out spring as he continues to recover.
“I’m not participating in the spring,” he said. “I’m not participating until fall camp, but I’m just going to be working out and getting right.”
While he won’t be able to play until fall, he set some tough goals for himself about learning the defense.
“I want to get higher on the depth chart and know everything fluently. That’s what I’m just focused on now, learning everything,” he said. “When the time does come, I’ll know it all.”
Williams missed his entire senior season at Tavares High School due to the injury. He showcased elite athleticism as a junior prior to his injury, making the Under Armour All-America Game and becoming one of the top linebackers in the country. He finished his season with 125 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and one interception. He also spent some time at running back, carrying the ball 23 times for 423 yards and six touchdowns.
Florida State has several intriguing options in its linebacker room entering the 2026 season, which is now led by Ernie Sims. The Seminoles added Chris Jones and Mikai Gbayor through the transfer portal and are returning Blake Nichelson and Omar Graham Jr., who all have some experience.
They will need more players to push them, and Williams is expected to be in that group, along with Caleb LaVallee and AJ Cottrill. He revealed what defensive coordinator Tony White told him he needs to do to get ready to play.
“He always tells me, keep putting in extra work if you want to play early,” he explained. “If that’s what you want to do, put in extra hours and hours of football.”
Williams was ranked as the No. 136 overall player and No. 8 linebacker in the 247Sports composite, making him FSU’s highest-rated linebacker signee during the Mike Norvell era. He was their second-highest-ranked signee in 2026, only behind cornerback Chuck Kennon.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU LB Izayia Williams won’t play during the spring
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
