Florida State could be getting a major boost in the return game as Virginia Tech transfer Tucker Holloway is set to visit the Seminoles on Friday, January 2-the same day the NCAA Transfer Portal officially opens. And while Holloway brings some experience as a wide receiver, it’s his special teams value that has FSU particularly intrigued.
Holloway has spent the last few seasons making a name for himself as one of the ACC’s most reliable punt returners. Over three years of action at Virginia Tech, he fielded 36 punts for 476 yards and a touchdown.
His 2023 campaign was his best yet-he returned 20 punts for 258 yards, averaging an impressive 12.9 yards per return. That mark ranked seventh nationally and earned him a spot on the All-ACC Third Team as a return specialist.
Florida State, which has been searching for a consistent threat in the return game, appears to be targeting Holloway specifically for that role. But don’t count him out as a contributor on offense, either.
“I would still be playing receiver and be competing to play there,” Holloway said on Tuesday. “But yes, I would fill the punt returner spot for sure.”
At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Holloway brings size and speed to the table. He hasn’t had a breakout season as a wideout yet-he’s totaled 13 catches for 149 yards in his career-but his athleticism and field vision have been on full display in the return game. That versatility could be valuable for a Florida State team looking to reload after a strong 2024 campaign.
Holloway missed all of 2024 after suffering a knee injury during spring camp, but he’s now healthy and ready to make an impact wherever he lands. Originally from Andrews, North Carolina, he signed with Virginia Tech as a three-star recruit in the 2022 class. Now, he's one of the more intriguing names in the portal, ranked No. 300 overall and the No. 67 wide receiver by 247Sports.
For Florida State, this visit could be more than just a meet-and-greet-it might be the first step toward shoring up a key area of special teams with one of the ACC’s most proven return men.