FSU football freshman LB Izayia Williams making an instant impact

Izayia Williams had to be patient to get on the field with Florida State football, but he's wasted little time leaving his mark on the Seminoles' preseason.

>The highly touted freshman linebacker waited over a year to participate in football activities after tearing his ACL prior to his senior season with Tavares. He was cleared to return to practice ahead of the start of the Seminoles' preseason camp, and three days in, he's turned heads.

>It took one drill for him to rile up head coach Mike Norvell with what was partially described as a "violent" tackle.

>"He got me fired up in the first tackle circuit that we do. His very first rep, speed, explosive, violent," Norvell said with a sly grin. "I was jumping on him, draped all over him. Pretty fun first rep for him."

>Williams was a multi-sport athlete in high school, running track alongside football, and he possesses rare speed for a 6-foot-2, 226-pound freshman linebacker. A 4-star recruit, Williams took the long road to his FSU commitment, but after multiple commitments and decommitments elsewhere, he landed in Tallahassee, where he'll be an instant impact player.

>The Seminoles' linebacker room needed an overhaul after a 5-7 season in 2025. The unit showed flashes, but overall inconsistencies and trouble with coverage allowed for explosive plays and third-down conversions with regularity. FSU brought in both Chris Jones and Mikai Gbayor in the transfer portal, while retaining Omar Graham Jr and Blake Nichelson.

>Yet, Williams' addition from the prep ranks might have been the most significant, given his ready-made frame and skill set. He had 125 tackles, 15 for loss, four sacks and an interception in his last prep season as a junior, which landed him Under Armour All-American honors.

>"He's got the skill set, the traits. You can see there is no hesitation. Which, coming off an injury, how's somebody going to be the first day out in pads?" Norvell said. "It was great to see the green light go."

>Now that Williams is no longer stuck in neutral and has the license to go full throttle, he'll be one of the key pieces to follow in the Seminoles' preseason. He's earned the admiration of the coaching staff and teammates, and if he remains healthy, could find himself high on the depth chart come kickoff against New Mexico State on Aug. 29.

>"He's got a lot to learn, but Ernie is doing a wonderful job with him. The other linebackers are doing a great job with him. He's just an outstanding kid in the way he approaches things, the extra time he's spending," Norvell said. "I thought there were some guys in that linebacker room that really flashed with that mentality, which is exciting to see. But he definitely looks the part."

Florida State football schedule 2026vs. New Mexico State | Aug. 29 • >vs. SMU* | Sept. 7 • >Bye • >at Alabama | Sept. 19 • >vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26 • >vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3 • >at Louisville* | Oct. 9 • >at Miami* | Oct. 17 • >Bye • >vs. Clemson* | Oct. 31 • >at Boston College* | Nov. 7 • >at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13 • >vs. NC State* | Nov. 21 • >vs. Florida | Nov. 27Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.

>This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football freshman LB Izayia Williams making an instant impact