Florida State Football: Jaiden Woodbey announces graduate transfer

Jaiden Woodbey looks like he’ll find a new home next year

Jaiden Woodbey, a former five star recruit at defensive back, has decided to opt out of the 2020 season and enter the transfer portal. Woodbey is just the latest player to depart from Tallahassee this year. The Seminoles have already lost Marvin Wilson, Hamsah Nasirildeen, and Tamorrion Terry. Those three players have seen their draft stock plummet amid a putrid season for FSU.

Woodbey had a very promising Freshman season for FSU, but an injury riddled 2019 gave him a redshirt and he entered this season as a draft eligible redshirt Sophomore. Now, he chooses to transfer for his redshirt junior season. However, he still has plenty of eligibility as the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woodbey may look at the 2020 season as a “burn the tape” year after everything that has happened. Whether it be the season being changed, players around him not playing well, or the coaching change; the 2020 FSU season has been one of the most disappointing in program history, and that goes all the way down to the players.

Many draft prospects on the roster have seen their draft stock fall significantly in the last several months, and Woodbey has decided that he would not be next. It should be noted that he had been committed to Ohio State for roughly a year before flipping to FSU.

Woodbey is a versatile defensive back that can fit into seemingly any defense. At 6-1, 225 pounds, he even has the ability to be placed in the box on some passing downs and play some coverage on tight ends. Woodbey will be one of the more intriguing players to watch in the transfer portal as he came to FSU with loads of potential. Unfortunately, he has not lived up that potential yet. However, perhaps a new school and coaching staff will help him raise his draft stock in 2021.