Florida State University Athletics
Adrian Medley, Offensive Line Turning Heads
9/23/2025 9:37:00 AM | Football
When Florida State's offense exploded for 77 points and 729 total yards in a dominant win over East Texas A&M, it was redshirt senior right guard Adrian Medley whose performance turned heads around the ACC and the country.
Just one week after center Luke Petitbon earned national recognition in the win over No. 8 Alabama, it was Medley's turn to shine. He was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, praised for his impact up front. On the field for all seven of FSU's first-half touchdown drives, Medley helped the Seminoles record 415 first-half yards, the most in the country through this season. He had four key blocks that led directly to either a first down or a touchdown and graded out as FSU's top offensive lineman in the game.
Last week, Medley and Seminoles topped all those numbers against Kent State – 775 total yards, 524 first-half yards, a school-record 498 rushing yards and a school-record eight rushing touchdowns.
This kind of recognition has been years in the making for Medley, who spent six seasons at UCF. He started in 19 games with the Knights, missing the 2022 season due to injury, playing eight games in 2023, and finally returning for a fully healthy season to start at left guard in 2024. That season, under head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive line coach Herb Hand, now both at Florida State, Medley helped power one of the nation's top offenses, finishing seventh nationally in rushing and 16th in total offense in 2024.Â
Medley transferred to Florida State this past offseason, reuniting with his former UCF coaches Malzahn and Hand.
"It wasn't automatic," Medley said of his transfer to FSU. "I had other schools recruiting me, and I was planning to take a few visits. But then my parents came to Tallahassee, and being just two hours from home really made a difference. Plus, I've known Coach Hand for four years. With one year of college left, it made sense to be somewhere with someone who knows me well and can help me keep growing, not just as a player, but as a person."
That established relationship with Coach Hand proved to be a deciding factor for Medley.
"People don't know — my freshman, sophomore year, it was hard for me. But Coach Hand really picked me up and taught me everything I know. So that was really another thing that helped me come here."
Originally born in Alabama, Medley was raised in Pensacola. He grew up an Auburn fan and was even once committed to Texas A&M but said his connection to Florida State runs deep. "I used to come to campus here all the time growing up. Every summer, I was here for camp. I would've never pictured myself here at this moment, but I'm happy I made the decision to come here. It's helped me grow as a person, as a man, and as a football player."Â Â
Adding to the familiarities, Medley's transition to Florida State was made easier by quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who spent his freshman year at UCF alongside Medley. "We've got a quarterback that can run the ball and throw the ball," Medley said. "I've been knowing him. When you really get to know each other outside of football, like the reason why you're doing this, you can connect well with them." That connection has translated on the field as FSU's offensive line has been setting records with Medley taking on a leader role. "Anything I can do to help the team, I'm down for it. I want to be a leader to these guys because I probably am the oldest person in the room. I want to be a leader, so it doesn't matter where I play at."
He also takes pride in mentoring younger players and getting to see them get their shot in games like the win over East Texas A&M. "That's something I live for," Medley said. "When I was second-string, I always wanted to get in. Like, come on, guys, come on, let's score, let's score, let's score, so I can get in. They worked their butt off to earn that. So, I'm very proud of them."Â
That perspective is part of what sets Medley apart from others. He didn't start playing football until ninth grade and it's been a learning experience for him ever since. Early in his career at UCF, Medley remembers Coach Hand calling him into his office and asking him what he wanted to do in life. "I want to make it to the NFL," Medley recalled telling him. "He said okay and laid out the plans for me to go the NFL, like you do this and do this right, you're going to make it there." What stood out to Medley and has stuck with him was the belief behind Hand's words even after just knowing him for a short amount of time. Â
Now, in his final year of eligibility, Medley is playing with extreme heart and passion, making the most of his last collegiate season with the Seminoles. "We tell people that we'll never give up," he said. "No matter what the outcome is, we're going to keep pushing to be great. That's one thing I like about this team. No matter if we're down or up, we're going to keep pushing no matter what the score is. We're all going to love each other and keep pushing each other to be great."
Just one week after center Luke Petitbon earned national recognition in the win over No. 8 Alabama, it was Medley's turn to shine. He was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, praised for his impact up front. On the field for all seven of FSU's first-half touchdown drives, Medley helped the Seminoles record 415 first-half yards, the most in the country through this season. He had four key blocks that led directly to either a first down or a touchdown and graded out as FSU's top offensive lineman in the game.
Last week, Medley and Seminoles topped all those numbers against Kent State – 775 total yards, 524 first-half yards, a school-record 498 rushing yards and a school-record eight rushing touchdowns.
This kind of recognition has been years in the making for Medley, who spent six seasons at UCF. He started in 19 games with the Knights, missing the 2022 season due to injury, playing eight games in 2023, and finally returning for a fully healthy season to start at left guard in 2024. That season, under head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive line coach Herb Hand, now both at Florida State, Medley helped power one of the nation's top offenses, finishing seventh nationally in rushing and 16th in total offense in 2024.Â
Medley transferred to Florida State this past offseason, reuniting with his former UCF coaches Malzahn and Hand.
"It wasn't automatic," Medley said of his transfer to FSU. "I had other schools recruiting me, and I was planning to take a few visits. But then my parents came to Tallahassee, and being just two hours from home really made a difference. Plus, I've known Coach Hand for four years. With one year of college left, it made sense to be somewhere with someone who knows me well and can help me keep growing, not just as a player, but as a person."
That established relationship with Coach Hand proved to be a deciding factor for Medley.
"People don't know — my freshman, sophomore year, it was hard for me. But Coach Hand really picked me up and taught me everything I know. So that was really another thing that helped me come here."
Originally born in Alabama, Medley was raised in Pensacola. He grew up an Auburn fan and was even once committed to Texas A&M but said his connection to Florida State runs deep. "I used to come to campus here all the time growing up. Every summer, I was here for camp. I would've never pictured myself here at this moment, but I'm happy I made the decision to come here. It's helped me grow as a person, as a man, and as a football player."Â Â
Adding to the familiarities, Medley's transition to Florida State was made easier by quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who spent his freshman year at UCF alongside Medley. "We've got a quarterback that can run the ball and throw the ball," Medley said. "I've been knowing him. When you really get to know each other outside of football, like the reason why you're doing this, you can connect well with them." That connection has translated on the field as FSU's offensive line has been setting records with Medley taking on a leader role. "Anything I can do to help the team, I'm down for it. I want to be a leader to these guys because I probably am the oldest person in the room. I want to be a leader, so it doesn't matter where I play at."
He also takes pride in mentoring younger players and getting to see them get their shot in games like the win over East Texas A&M. "That's something I live for," Medley said. "When I was second-string, I always wanted to get in. Like, come on, guys, come on, let's score, let's score, let's score, so I can get in. They worked their butt off to earn that. So, I'm very proud of them."Â
That perspective is part of what sets Medley apart from others. He didn't start playing football until ninth grade and it's been a learning experience for him ever since. Early in his career at UCF, Medley remembers Coach Hand calling him into his office and asking him what he wanted to do in life. "I want to make it to the NFL," Medley recalled telling him. "He said okay and laid out the plans for me to go the NFL, like you do this and do this right, you're going to make it there." What stood out to Medley and has stuck with him was the belief behind Hand's words even after just knowing him for a short amount of time. Â
Now, in his final year of eligibility, Medley is playing with extreme heart and passion, making the most of his last collegiate season with the Seminoles. "We tell people that we'll never give up," he said. "No matter what the outcome is, we're going to keep pushing to be great. That's one thing I like about this team. No matter if we're down or up, we're going to keep pushing no matter what the score is. We're all going to love each other and keep pushing each other to be great."
Players Mentioned
RHP Ben Barrett - FSU Baseball Start of Fall Ball Press Conference
Tuesday, September 23
INF Cal Fisher - FSU Baseball Start of Fall Ball Press Conference
Tuesday, September 23
LHP Wes Mendes - FSU Baseball Start of Fall Ball Press Conference
Tuesday, September 23
1B Myles Bailey - FSU Baseball Start of Fall Ball Press Conference
Tuesday, September 23