BREAKING: Florida State lands one of the top transfers on the market in Fentrell ‘Deuce’ Cypress
2023 doesn’t even have a day and the state of Florida already has one hell of a new year.
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Earlier Sunday, star defensive tackle Fabien Lovett officially announced his decision to return to Tallahassee for another season. But that wasn’t the only good news of the day.
A few hours later, one of the best players on the NCAA transfer portal, former Virginia cornerback Fentrell Cypress, announced that he was transferring to Florida State for his final two seasons of playing. college eligibility on LSU, UCLA and others. Cypress is an elite prospect the Seminoles have been focusing on for the past two weeks.
Head coach Mike Norvell commented on the Cypress addition shortly after it became official.
“It’s another fantastic addition to our program,” Norvell said. “Fentrell is a great player who possesses the unique combination of length and athleticism. He has a huge upside and brings a proven track record of consistent play in our defensive backfield. He has amassed incredible experience at the college level while proving himself to be an intelligent and disciplined player whose success has been demonstrated on the field, in the classroom and in the community.Fentrell is a perfect fit for the Nole family as we continue our ascent forward.
The South Carolina native was on campus at Florida State in late December for an official visit, the only trip of his transfer recruit. Cypress was able to meet the coaching staff in person and watch the Seminoles dedicate a football-only facility, among other activities.
At the time, the current trajectory of the program was something that caught his eye.
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“It was pretty much what I was looking for,” Cypress previously said. “Just the story of FSU, where they’re going now, that’s just something I’m interested in. Seeing how they’ve progressed the last two years.”
The Seminoles have a long history of placing defensive backs in the NFL and that is set to continue in the 2023 NFL Draft with star safety Jammie Robinson moving through. Cypress thinks he can be the next man.
“Florida State can be considered DBU and that’s a big thing,” Cypress said. “The coaching staff who are here right now are still continuing that journey and that story, teaching everyone everything they need to know. I definitely saw myself building on that legacy of DBU.”
The 6-foot, 184-pound cornerback is expected to have two more seasons of college eligibility. He appeared in 18 games, with 15 starts, during his four-year career at Virginia. Cypress had 57 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 15 pass deflections and one interception with the Cavaliers.
Cypress is the seventh transfer to commit to Florida State during the recruiting cycle. The Seminoles also landed former Miami defensive tackle Darrell Jackson, former South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell, former Shorter tight end Kyle Morlock, former Colorado offensive lineman Casey Roddick, l former UTEP offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers, former Auburn offensive lineman Keiondre Jones and former West Michigan defensive lineman Braden Fiske.
Florida State holds the #1 transfer portal class in the nation according to 247Sports.
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