FSU legend shares motivational message ahead of fall camp

[ASFN Admin]

Florida State football kicked off its 2026 fall camp on Wednesday. After two seasons that went completely south, the Seminoles are looking to get back to a bowl game and contend in the ACC. Something happened on Tuesday night that could certainly help.

FSU gathered together before camp, and there was a special guest, former Seminoles' wide receiver Anquan Boldin. He played for the program from 1999 to 2002, and then had an amazing 14-year career in the NFL where he logged 1,076 receptions for 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. He was regarded as a very physical and tough receiver.

That type of mentality is what Boldin spoke about, and being able to bounce back through adversity. Head coach Mike Norvell told Warchant that he was very appreciative of what Boldin had to say to his team.

He’s one of the great all-time Seminoles. A guy that is about all the right things. His mindset, his approach. … I just felt that his journey — sometimes the adversity that he faced, whether it’s through injury, his response to that — the way that he played the game. Just everything about his journey, I was excited for our team to be able to hear. And it was great. Guys got to ask some great questions, and some things that just align so well to what these guys have been hearing [from the coaches]. But to see it from a guy that’s a 14-year NFL vet, a champion on every level … was just awesome to hear for everybody. So he definitely kicked it off the right way.

Boldin knows exactly what it takes on the collegiate and professional levels. So, he's as qualified as anyone to come and speak to the Seminoles and get them motivated, especially with many people picking them to have another down year.

There's one player that undoubtedly got the message from Boldin, and that's safety Ashlynd Barker. He spoke on what it meant to him.

It’s always great seeing the past players come back, especially somebody like him with such a great reputation on the field and off the field …,” Florida State safety Ashlynd Barker said. “He said he never feared judgment, but he always feared failure. And the fear of failure made him work harder and prepare harder. So that’s something I can take away from him.

Florida State has to win in 2026, or Norvell could be looking for new employment. The Seminoles will be looking to take what Boldin said and apply it to their climb back to relevancy.

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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU legend shares motivational message ahead of fall camp

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