Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 34

The countdown to the 2022 Florida State football season is underway.

Mike Norvell's third season atop the Seminoles will be a critical one to his long-term chances in Tallahassee. The roster continues to be shaped more in his desired image as he looks to guide FSU to a bowl for the first time in his tenure.

To begin that look ahead to the upcoming season, it's time for the Democrat's annual list of the 40 most important FSU football players, continuing today with No. 34.

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Our list of the 40 most important FSU football players was compiled on June 9 by aggregating the rankings submitted by beat writers Curt Weiler and Carter Karels. Any players added to the roster after that date were not considered for this list. All ties were broken by discussion.

No. 34: Wide receiver Ontaria Wilson

FSU's wide receiver production hasn't met expectations early in Norvell's tenure.

Through two seasons under him at FSU, the Seminoles haven't yet had a 400-yard receiver in a single season.

But if you had to pick the stabilizing force at the position group over the last few years, Wilson is a strong candidate. The former three-star cornerback turned wide receiver from Ashburn (Ga.) Turner County High may not be FSU's best receiver, but he's been the most consistent.

Wilson has led FSU in receiving yards each of the last two seasons, amassing 773 yards and seven touchdowns over that span. Over his first five seasons at FSU, he's racked up 1,035 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

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The 6-foot, 171-pound Wilson isn't the most physically impressive specimen. He also lacks some of the skills that top-end receivers possess. But his consistency has been a bit of a saving grace for the Seminoles. He's graded out between 61.0 and 61.7 each of last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus.

Wilson elected to return for his sixth season in 2022, using his COVID eligibility year. After leading FSU in receiving yards each of the last two seasons, that shouldn't again be the expectation for Wilson this season.

With FSU doing so much work to bring new talent into its wide receiver room, Wilson isn't assured of keeping a spot in the starting lineup after making 26 starts over the last three seasons.

If he doesn't start, it speaks to how much FSU has transformed and developed that unit. And it could be good for him as more talented targets around him who require more attention could open things up for Wilson to have the most productive season of his FSU career.

Florida State football most important player countdown

No. 40: Defensive tackle Jarrett Jackson

More: Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 40

No. 39: Safety Shyheim Brown

More: Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 39

No. 38: Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald

More: Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 38

No. 37: Defensive end Patrick Payton

More: Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 37

No. 36: Defensive back Sam McCall

More: Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 36

No. 35: Defensive back Azareye'h Thomas

More: Florida State football most important player countdown: No. 35

Reach Curt Weiler at cweiler@tallahassee.com or follow him on Twitter @CurtMWeiler.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football most important player countdown: No. 34, WR Ontaria Wilson