Tyriq Withers’ journey from walk-on wide receiver at Florida State to lead actor in HIM is a story of persistence and influence. His time in Tallahassee gave him the tools to embody Cameron Cade, the film’s troubled college football star, and critics have pointed to his performance as the standout of an otherwise divisive release.
Tyriq Withers at Florida State
Withers joined Florida State in 2016 as a walk-on receiver. He wasn’t catching touchdowns in primetime, but he was on the scout team under Jimbo Fisher, helping prepare the starters and soaking up the atmosphere of a program stacked with NFL talent.
“At FSU, I didn’t score touchdowns. I logged repetitions, working with guys like Auden Tate, and sharing field time, even as a scout team player. It defined me,” Withers said in an interview.
That roster included future pros like defensive end Brian Burns, running back Cam Akers, and wideout Auden Tate. But the player who left the deepest mark on him was Dalvin Cook.
Dalvin Cook’s Influence on Cameron Cade
Cook was the star of the 2016 Seminoles, but he never carried himself with arrogance. That balance between being the best player and the most grounded teammate gave Withers a template for how Cade should be portrayed on screen.
“Dalvin Cook was the biggest influence on how I created Cameron Cade,” Withers said. “Not in the caricature or the swagger. But his humility. That balance of being elite, and still being respectful to the walk-ons.”
Cameron Cade is written as a prodigy burdened by expectations, haunted by pressure, and pulled between greatness and vulnerability. Withers’ memories of watching Cook carry himself at FSU gave him a real-world model to bring that mix to life.
Lessons That Carried Over
Being a walk-on instilled traits that showed up in Withers’ acting process:
- Work ethic — scout team reps built persistence without recognition.
- Humility — Cook’s example taught him how to project confidence without arrogance.
- Observation — watching future NFL players prepare each day sharpened his sense of presence.
Cade, like Withers, is unfinished. He’s not perfect or polished. He’s a character trying to make sense of his identity under crushing expectations, which is the same place Withers once stood as a walk-on among stars.
How HIM Has Been Received
The film itself has been polarizing. Critics have praised Withers for carrying the role, saying his performance gave Cade depth and authenticity. The visuals and ambition of the movie have also been highlighted.
But many reviews have criticized the script and pacing, calling it muddled and overly symbolic. Some felt the horror elements didn’t land as strongly as promised.
Still, Withers has emerged as the clear positive from the release. Even outlets that panned the film singled him out as a breakout name. His ability to draw on lived experience at FSU, from watching Dalvin Cook lead with humility to battling for reps as a walk-on, made Cameron Cade feel more than just a character.
From Tallahassee to the Big Screen
When director Justin Tipping asked him to tap into the rawest parts of himself, Withers leaned on memories of practice fields, locker rooms, and the grind of being overlooked at Florida State.
“Cade is haunted by legacy, by pressure, by chaos,” Withers explained. “That felt eerily familiar.”
The movie may divide audiences, but the connection between Tyriq Withers and Florida State is undeniable. His role in HIM is less about fiction than about channeling what he lived: humility, persistence, and the lessons learned alongside future NFL greats in Tallahassee.
