Florida State to recognize 18 players for Senior Day vs. Florida, QB Jordan Travis not among them

The Florida State football team plans to recognize 15 scholarship players as part of its Senior Day festivities before facing Florida.

The No. 16 Seminoles (8-3) clash with the Gators (6-5) in Doak Campbell Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday on ABC.

Those 15 players are defensive tackles Fabien Lovett and Robert Cooper, defensive end Leonard Warner III, defensive backs Jammie Robinson and Jarques McClellion, linebackers Tatum Bethune and Amari Gainer, wide receivers Ontaria Wilson and Keyshawn Helton, tight ends Camren McDonald and Wyatt Rector, and offensive linemen Kayden Lyles, D’Mitri Emmanuel, Dillan Gibbons and Jazston Turnetine.

Happy Thanksgiving!: Reasons to be thankful about this season’s Florida State football team

More on FSU vs. Florida: Three players to know ahead of Friday’s game against Florida

FSU vs. Florida statistical comparison: How Seminoles compare statistically with Florida Gators

Three walk-on players also are being honored: receivers Mike Roussos and Fernando Padron, and long snapper Garrett Murray.

Per FSU, players participating in Senior Day are not necessarily declaring that they are playing in their final season with the Seminoles. In some cases, players have an extra year of eligibility because of COVID.

Still, it’s fair to wonder why some players are participating in Senior Day, and others aren’t. Quarterback Jordan Travis, a fifth-year player, was the most noticeable omission. Could that mean that he plans to return to FSU next season? Only time will tell.

Below is a closer look at the Senior Day list.

More on FSU DL Robert Cooper: DL Robert Cooper has seen bad times and now great times as a Seminole

Redshirt senior tight end Camren McDonald (87) rushes the ball. Florida State football defeated Georgia Tech, 41-16, On Oct. 29, 2022, at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Who is definitely playing in their final Florida State home game?

Eight of those 15 scholarship players are unquestionably playing in their final home game.

McClellion, Warner, Cooper, Gibbons, Emmanuel, Turnetine, Wilson and McDonald will see their eligibility expire after this season. Lovett, Robinson, Bethune, Gainer, Helton and Rector are eligible to return.

Story continues

FSU coach Mike Norvell previously indicated that the team is exploring whether Lyles could receive a medical redshirt waiver, which would preserve a year of eligibility. Lyles, a sixth-year senior and first-year transfer from the University of Wisconsin, suffered an undisclosed season-ending injury in August.

More on FSU OL Kayden Lyles: Where Florida State goes after OL transfer Kayden Lyles suffers a season-ending injury

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis (13) celebrates a touchdown as the Seminoles and the Ragin’ Cajuns face off at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Tallahassee, Fla.

Who is notably not on the Senior Day list?

Just because a player is not choosing to be recognized for Senior Day does not mean they will not move on from FSU following this season.

That player could ultimately choose to transfer, declare for the NFL Draft or medically retire.

But it’s still worth noting who is not participating in Senior Day. Here’s a breakdown of the 18 players who are eligible to return next season, in their fourth or fifth seasons and are not being recognized for Senior Day.

Fourth-year players: Defensive tackle Malcolm Ray, defensive ends Jared Verse and Derrick McLendon II, linebackers Kalen DeLoach and Brendan Gant, defensive backs Akeem Dent, Jarrian Jones, Renardo Green and Travis Jay, offensive lineman Bless Harris, running back Treshaun Ward, receivers Mycah Pittman and Winston Wright Jr., and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald,

Fifth-year players: Defensive tackles Dennis Briggs Jr. and Jarrett Jackson, cornerback Malik Feaster, and quarterback Jordan Travis.

FSU football redshirt watch: Which Florida State players might redshirt, preserve a season of eligibility? | Louisiana update

GAME INFORMATION

Who: FSU (8-3) vs. Florida (6-5)

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Doak Campbell Stadium

TV/Radio: ABC/94.9FM

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

No one covers the ‘Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU Seminoles to recognize 18 players for Senior Day vs. Florida Gators