The Cleveland Browns need tough and hard-working players.
That’s why they can appreciate someone like Luke Floriea.
Listed at 5-foot-8, the rookie wide receiver might not be the biggest guy out there, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with effort.
When asked about his apparent physical limitations for a player at his position, he opened up about how that has only made him work harder.
“I’ve always been the smallest guy my entire life. Still haven’t hit my growth spurt yet, waiting on that day. I’ve figured out how to thrive in being vertically challenged. No. 1 thing is you gotta work a little harder, especially when you get looked at in college and even the NFL. My height and weight (179 pounds) don’t exactly stand out or jump out to anybody. I can’t tell you the number of schools that were like, ‘Yeah, we love you, but we’re looking for a 6-1 or 6-2 outside receiver.’ Your loss,” Floriea said, via Honor The Land.
"I've figured out how to thrive in being 'vertically challenged'… number one thing is you gotta work a little harder."
– #Browns WR Luke Floriea on being undersized in College Football & the NFL pic.twitter.com/MuHsEGY47q
— Honor The Land (@honortheland) July 16, 2025
Floriea drew some buzz during offseason practices as an undrafted free agent.
The Kent State product has some spark to his game and can contribute on special teams, which is something that could help him not only make the roster but also take the field as a rookie.
He’s the kind of player who knows that he has to outwork and outhustle everybody else.
That fits a team that has had some players show questionable effort at times.
Also, even though a player like Floriea doesn’t always find his way to the NFL, the Browns need as much help as they can get in the passing game.
They have no guarantees at wide receiver beyond Jerry Jeudy, and even he still needs to prove himself after posting the best season of his somewhat disappointing career.
The door could be wide open for anybody, including Floriea, to get targets.
He has an underdog mindset, and hard work can sometimes take a player further than talent or athleticism.
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