Florida State football freshman Amaree Williams planning to be two-way player for Seminoles

Florida State football freshman Amaree Williams has had a busy start to his college career.

After reclassifying from the class of 2025 to 2024 to move up his college timeline, Williams said he did a year's worth of classwork in four months to make his reclassification possible.

He said despite the days of working out all day and going straight home to study, it was all worth it now that he's on campus.

"Doing a year's worth of work over four months is hard work," Williams said through a relieved laugh. "Even with that time off and not being here I feel like I didn't lose anything or take a step back. I was still working."

Planning to play on both sides of the football for the Seminoles during his career, both at tight end and defensive edge, Williams said he and FSU head coach Mike Norvell have talked about his athleticism and ability to contribute both ways.

Williams played both sides of the football in high school and he said it's likely he'll make a contribution at tight end quicker than the defensive side at the college level.

"I will have more of an impact at the tight end spot," Williams said. "I can definitely produce at the tight-end postion. At EDGE I'd have to be at 240-250. Coach Norvell, we've talked about it, he knows I'm an athlete and I can produce on both sides of the field."

"He just wants me to adjust as soon as possible."

A four-star recruit out of the Benjamin School in West Palm Beach, the alma mater of Jordan Travis, Williams was one of the top players in the nation in the class of 2025. He maintained his ranking even when making the jump to the class of 2024.

An athletic player, who also ran track in high school, Williams said he's enjoyed the competition in both the tight end room and defensive line group.

Williams said he enjoys the challenge of lining up against the defense or vice versa against the offense when in practice, and he said facing both sets of players keeps him accountable.

"That's the biggest thing with me, I love to be challenged," Williams said. "Being held accountable, that's the best thing for you... that'll make you a good character and a great player."

While Williams had to spend much of his time studying to finish classwork ahead of enrolling, he will be in a similar position learning both the offensive and defensive playbook for the Seminoles.

He said his speed can help separate himself from other tight ends and defensive edge's and he's looking forward to when he's ready to contribute on both sides of the football consistently.

The top recruit said most school's were open to him playing both sides of the football, and he credits his speed and high school performances for making him ready to jump into college play.

"I genuinely feel I'm faster than the generic tight end, twitchier than the generic tight end," Williams said. "Coming out of high school I was pretty much playing wide receiver, so I'm able to play tight end effectively. At the edge position, I'm twitchy and fast and able to get around blockers."

Florida State Seminoles 2024 Football Schedule

• Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
• Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
• Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
• Sept. 21 vs. California
• Sept. 28 at SMU
• Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
• Oct. 18 at Duke
• Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
• Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
• Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
• Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
• Nov. 30: Florida
• Dec. 7: ACC Championship

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney