Florida State receiver Jasen Lopez is a two-sport star for the Seminoles, playing basketball as well. While he missed valuable reps in spring practice, Lopez is making up for it by having an amazing fall camp.
When you are a two-sport star at the collegiate level, those two sports seasons overlap, resulting in valuable time being lost in the developmental phase of both sports.
That is exactly what Florida State freshman receiver Jasen Lopez dealt with in spring practice, as Lopez was still suiting up for the Seminoles basketball team.
However, Lopez has made up for that lost time, and the loss of valuable reps, with a vengeance during what has been a grinding fall football camp.
“Fall camp has been tough in general,” said Lopez during media availability on Monday. “Going against the guys every day has been a challenge, but it’s just here to make better and prepare for the game. That’s the ultimate goal,”
With his athleticism, Lopez has dazzled his coaches and teammates with highlight-reel catches, potentially playing himself into the No. 3 receiver spot once the team breaks fall camp this week. In addition, Lopez has been mentioned as a candidate for punt returner as well.
Aspiring to be a two-sport star at the collegiate level, the second coming of Charlie Ward if you will, Lopez referenced similarities to both football and basketball and how that translates into his overall game.
“Catching the football at the high point, grabbing a rebound, it’s the timing of it,” said Lopez. “Being able to get a feel for the defenders in the middle of the field, it plays a part from basketball. You’re driving in the lane, you have guys on the sides of you, it translates over to football. When I’m running in the middle of the field, and I have to get through a linebacker, jump up for the catch and protect myself. For sure.”
Lopez joined the Seminoles for the spring semester, and while he did not appear in any basketball games for Florida State, his athleticism and ability to play both sports are backed up by his high school production. At Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Miami, Lopez dominated his guard position on the court and his receiver spot on the field.
In basketball, Lopez averaged 24.3 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, four steals, 3.6 assists, and played in 96 games in his high school career. On the gridiron, Lopez hauled in 313 passes for 5,211 yards and 59 touchdowns in his high school career, winning a state championship in 2024.
At the conclusion of last season, Lopez was named the Broward County 3A-1A Male Athlete of the Year. Lopez received 30 Division 1 scholarship offers and chose Florida State, with set in stone assurances that he could play both sports at Florida State. Talk about confidence.
Florida State basketball coach Luke Loucks may not know yet what kind of athlete he has on the bench in Lopez, based on the lack of game action last season. But football coach Mike Norvell is grinning ear to ear and knows exactly what kind of athlete he has, and will have a difficult time keeping Lopez off the field. Lopez has shown he can make the plays and could be an asset for the Seminoles offensively this season.
Lopez is part of a talented wide receiver room that is led by Duce Robinson, and consists of the speedy Michai Danzy, Jayvan Boggs and Devin Carter. Danzy is another two-sport star for the Seminoles, as he ran track for Florida State in the spring. Danzy possesses elite speed and is a game-changer at receiver for the Seminoles.
Lopez will be among the most talented position groups and could be a pleasant surprise for Florida State. He has the ability, obviously. Lopez also has shown a winning attitude and the burning desire to lead his team to victory, and those are attributes that cannot be coached.
