FSU Football: Keyshawn Helton Enters the Portal
The graduate transfer from Pensacola, Florida's West Florida Tech will look for a place to land on his feet running!
Keyshawn Helton says Good-Bye
Keyshawn Helton is the answer to that age old, popular locker room question: “Of all your teammates who would you most want to date your sister?” Keyshawn, he is that answer without a shadow of a doubt.
A single one of the obstacles he has faced and overcame throughout his time in Tallahassee would have (and has) defeated plenty of lesser men. Just overcoming his devasting knee injury in 2019 is a feat to behold. Give the Great long-time Seminole writer Ira Schoffel’s article on that process a read.
Staff Turnover was the Norm for @KHII_6 in Tallahassee
Keyshawn came to Tallahassee as a member of Willie Taggart’s debut Nole’s Class of 2018. At that point and time momentum around the program was soaring. Top recruits from around the country were intrigued with what Willie brought to FSU. Lethal Simplicity sounded like the future of the Seminole program. Then the Virginia Tech game happened. Things got really tough for all the student athletes involved with the football team. Willie Taggart and the majority of his staff were at Florida Atlantic about fifteen months later.
During the two year, well, the eighteen months Willie was at Florida State there was at least one guy who shined. He illuminated hope for a brighter future like a lighthouse beacon. Despite the elders around him failing to deliver on promises made Keyshawn never stopped battling and spreading as much positivity as humanly possible. He came to Florida State and made a giant impact regardless of what it says in the box score.
I wasn’t there yall, I didn’t see it happen with my own eyes, but I know it happened. Norvell started off his FSU tenure with his version of the famous Mickey Andrews’ Mat Drills. He calls his brutally tough system the “Tour of Duty.” Norvell insists these drills are legitmately the foundation of his program being set.
“Special young man that will be successfully in all areas of life. Grateful to be on journey with him, faced adversity and kept an encouraging spirit throughout. Great days ahead, always a part of the #NoleFamily #KeepCLIMBing @KHII__6 “
Mike Norvell via Twitter
Keyshawn was in the program for three annual tours of duty. Though I can’t give you the exact story I’m sure Keysawn Helton was personally responsible for setting that foundation, be it mentally early on and more physically as his helath progressed. When guys woukd start looking around at each other for an excuse to quit Helton would be the one guy lookin to see which brother needed his hand. Which brother just needed some words of encouragement to make it through to the next drill. I will always be thankful Keyshawn Helton was and IS a Seminole!
Keyshawns resume and potential landing spots
Career Stats 2018-Now
61 receptions for 819 yard & 13.4 per
8 receiving touch downs
4 rushes for 21 yards
26 KO returns - 554 yards & 58 long
14 PRS - 58 return yards & 31 long
I don’t have any scoop or intel whatsoever into Keyshawn’s destination but I’ll give you my two best guesses.
UWF Argonauts- I would selfishly love to see him come play at home joining Deonte Sheffield and bringing the GSC and D2 National Title back to Pensacola!
Probably the true number one with USF fresh off of hiring Alex Golesh. He is bringing the Tennessee/ Huepel spread to Tampa. This could be a perfect fit given the scheme he comitted to originally out of West Florida Tech in Pensacola. The scheme as well as USF figure to need plenty of WRs.