The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Floriea ‘bummed’ but plans to work at Kent
Mentor grad says he’ll spend next six months preparing for spring
Luke Floriea arrived at the Kent State campus on Aug. 2, and like all Golden Flashes football players was tested for the novel coronavirus.
A few days later, his test came back negative, his quarantine ended and the Mentor native was allowed on the sidelines to watching Golden Flashes practices.
On Aug. 8, Floriea was on the sideline watching quarterback Dustin Crum and Co. in such a practice when phone notifications began working overtime.
“We all found out on social media,” said Floriea, a Mentor graduate and freshman receiver for the Golden Flashes. “I saw the tweet, and then we all saw (Coach Sean) Lewis pick up his phone.”
The news sent shockwaves throughout Ohio and the country. The Mid-American Conference
was the first FBS conference to postpone its football season, and all of its fall sports with the possibility of playing in the spring.
“Obviously, it killed the mood of the practice,” said Floriea. “I’m so bummed. I wanted to help this team any way I could — special teams, and maybe at wide recever.”
For players such as Crum — who’s a senior — the news was heartbreaking.
Floriea’s situation is disappointing but it is obviously different. He wasn’t sure what coaches had planned for him. But the freshman said, “I came in to work, and I came to play and make an immediate impact.”
As a senior last fall for the Cardinals, Floriea had a breakout season with 52 receptions for 939 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games. He originally committed to play at UMass, but switched to Kent State and stayed instate.
He couldn’t have been more excited about the direction of the program. In 2019, Kent was 3-6, but won three straight to end the season and earned a bid to the Frisco Bowl, where Crum was named MVP and led the team to the first bowl victory in program history. Preseason buzz for 2020 could not have been higher.
“Everyone was so excited coming in,” said Floriea.
“We thought we would have a great season.”
Now, Floriea’s sights are set on playing in the spring. In the meantime, he intends to hit the weight room and improve on his 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Floriea won’t pass up this rare opportunity.
“I really think for me this could be a big advantage,” he said. “I have six months to lift, put on some weight and be ready to go in the spring.”
Floriea is itching to put on the pads and get back onto a football field. In last season’s Division I playoffs, he caught a dramatic twopoint conversion that was the game-winner in a 3635 overtime win against St. Edward in a regional final.
The following week, the Cardinals’ dream of a state championship ended in a state semifinal against Pickerington Central in a 28-21 loss. Floriea’s last game for Mentor was a good one — six catches for 101 yard and two touchdowns.
“I just want to play football,” he said. “I don’t care when it is.”