Seminoles Chant

NCAA has DeMarcus Walker Caught in the Rye

In JD Salinger's classic 1951 novel, protagonist Holden Caulfield finds himself caught in that precarious stage of life between adolescence and adulthood. 

Over 60 years later Florida State defensive end DeMarcus Walker finds himself caught in a real-life Catcher in the Rye situation. But unlike with Salinger's fictional narrative, Walker's reality has him caught between stages of life in an actual sense and his plight is no where near as well-written.

After committing to Alabama as a senior in high school, Walker made waves just hours after the BCS title game when he chose to follow former Crimson Tide DB's coach Jeremy Pruitt to Florida State where his intention was to enroll early.

So Walker sacrificed the last semester of his senior year and left Jacksonville for Tallahassee where he planned to enroll in classes and participate in Spring football.

Then things hit a hitch.

There's currently a question about one of Walker's courses at Sandlewood High School, the NCAA Clearinghouse is yet to give the OK for Walker to begin official team activities with the Seminoles. As of right now the most he can do is sequester himself on the practice field for some unsupervised drills. Beyond that, he's "extremely limited," as per NCAA regulations.

As one of the top recruits in the country, the 4-star defensive end had hoped to try and win some playing time as a true freshman. That will have to wait.

FSU has already completed all of their Spring practices, all that's left is the Garnet and Gold game. Aside from physically being on campus, the NCAA has more or less wasted Walker's early enrollment.

"It is frustrating because those classes have been used at other schools and been OK," said Fisher a couple weeks ago. "Now all of a sudden, they aren't. I don't know why. It was just one class anyway. For one semester."

If the NCAA doesn't clear Walker soon, then Florida State does have some recourse- just not in time to get Walker on the field this Spring.

"There would be a whole process," Fisher said. "It can become appeal, appeal, appeal. There's all kind of things, so it'll have to wait."

In the meantime the 6-4 275-pound defensive end is stuck. He's not a high schooler anymore but he's not quite in college yet either. Not until the NCAA.

Until further notice DeMarcus Walker is caught in the Rye.

 

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Jeremy Pruitt Implementing an Attacking, NFL-Style Defense at Florida State

Florida State is lying about its defense.

They tell you that it's not a new defense. It's the same one with new terminology. And it may not look much different to the untrained eye.

But this isn't your older brother's Florida State defense. This one has more teeth.

“It’s a totally different defense as far as no more reading, it’s more just like see it and go," said DE Mario Edwards.

“I feel like with this defense we’re around the ball all the time, I feel like. Like I don’t know how, but I mean, I feel like it’s unstoppable," joked CB Nick Waisome. "There’s always an answer for something. I feel like if a play is made on us it’s because of a miscommunication or something like that, but I like it.”

“Just the look of the defense overall is a lot different, we still cover just as much, I can’t really explain it you’ve just got to see it," said S Terrence Brooks. "But we definitely switch it up a lot, we got a lot of different guys coming, we got Christian Jones playing some D-End at some point, got D-Ends dropping into coverage, it looks real good to me.”

Does that sound like what you've been seeing the past few years under Mark Stoops?

There are a lot of similarities between the two defenses, but also a lot of differences.

“A lot more blitzes, I mean I’m blitzing a lot more coming off the edge. Just our blitz schemes, I feel like I like it a lot, it gives us a chance to make more plays," said Brooks.

“It’s a very complex defense but it’s really good for us I feel, we’re still just as aggressive but I feel like it does mix a lot of things up and confuse the quarterback a lot.”

The team will use different personnel groupings, give lots of different looks and make calls and changes at the line. It's an evolved, highly complicated defense that's going to take some time to get completely comfortable in.

But so far things have been going well as the teams transitions into it.

“It’s been OK, it’s not been too bad because everybody’s got the work mentality, everybody’s on the same page wanting to learn the defense," said LB Telvin Smith. "I feel like there’s no selfish guys, everybody’s putting in time, so when you’ve got that attitude out there, there’s always great things that’s going to happen.”

One of the biggest differences between the two defenses, is the approach to teaching it and what is expected of the players in terms of knowledge of the defense.

“Stoops made it really, really simple," said Brooks. "I mean somehow he did it. I feel like he was a genius for the defense to be that good but so simple.

"This defense is very complex but we’re actually getting it down really good. Pruitt teaches a lot of the in's and out's of the games as of like how to run to the ball, how to be in our stance, what to look for in linemen and and anything like that and I feel like we’ve been doing a lot better just by picking up those little things.”

Perhaps the biggest paradigm shifts in terms of the teaching that's being done though is that now the team is teaching the players the why, and not just the what. Players aren't just learning their assignments, they're learning why they have those assignments and how it all fits together with the rest of the defense.

"You learn more of the concepts of the defense versus just an assignment," said DE Dan Hicks. "Like you know your assignment now and why you’re doing it and where your help is and where your help is not and where you’re supposed to be so they just really break down so you just understand the defense yourselves."

“Most of our defensive plays if you understand the concept of it, it clicks together," said LB Christian Jones.

“Actually it kind of helps you predict what the play should look like on the opposite side of the ball because you run these certain plays [and looks] and if you understand the concept you know why they’re running it so you know what to look for,” added Hicks.

That knowledge gives the defenders more confidence and allows them to be more adaptable. It also prepares them better for the NFL.

“Nothing against the defense from last year but this system makes you feel like a football player," said DT Eddie Goldman. "You’re making all these checks, if you see something you’re going to change it, we get a little bit of freedom as a D-Lineman too.

"It makes you feel like a real football player.”

 

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Berto and Beatty, Seminole Kickers Ready to Toe the Line in 2013

Florida State has an extremly interesting relationship with its kickers.

Nationally, football fans are quick to recount Wide Right, or any of the variations on that theme which has cost Florida State football games (and national titles) in the past.

But amongst the fanbase the talk is much more favorable. Guys like Sebastian Janikowski and Graham Gano are Groza award winners and amongst the most well-regarded of former Seminoles. Recently Dustin Hopkins, the all-time leading scorer amongst NCAA Division I kickers has joined that group.

In Hopkins place this season is Robert Aguayo, a redshirt freshman with a big leg and a big personality who is more than ready to make his own name.

"I like the transition in, I have to fill the number one spot so I’m willing to take that over," said Aguayo. "I’m doing good in Spring ball right now. I keep everything the same, the difference is Dustin’s gone but I still practice exactly the same as I did in the fall."

Both Hopkins and Aguayo are out-going, well-spoken guys with big personalities. There are similarities, but also plenty of differences.

"Dustin and me kind of have the same personality, I wouldn’t say I’m more outgoing because Dustin was outgoing too but I like to joke around a lot, laugh a lot, I don’t take stuff seriously, you never see me mad and stuff, you always see me smiling," said Aguayo. "Growing up a lot of people were always like 'oh you’re always laughing, you’re always smiling, nothing ever gets to you.' And that’s how the mindset of a kicker has to be. You miss a kick, ‘oh well, you missed it,’ you can’t do anything, just learn what you did and move on and that’s how I carry myself.”

But whereas Hopkins was the walking definition of humility, Aguayo radiates confidence. Don't believe it?Just get him going about his range.

“My farthest was a 68 last Fall in practice, but that was with the wind at my back, I hit the ball good," said Aguayo. "I’d say 55-60 yards, maybe on a good day with the wind at my back 63. But anything under 55 I can hit it.”

Aguayo's partner in crime, punter Cason Beatty is developing confidence after a freshman year that saw its share of highs and lows.

“It was a good year to start, I think I had ups and downs of course but my main focus after the Maryland game- where I struggled with two or three punts- was just to finish strong," said Beatty, who is entering his sophomore year. "I went into the Florida game and I hit a few good balls, I know one got returned but it was just a good hit, and I finished the ACC championship game really well and I finished the bowl game really well with five inside the 20. So I'm just coming through the end of my freshman year on a high just coming into Spring ball knowing that I know I struggled a little bit and it was just good learning.”

Beatty relied on another former FSU kicker for guidance after he struggled against Maryland at the end of the season. He reached out to former Florida State (and current Buffalo Bills) punter Shawn Powell.

“When I first committed up here the day I worked out he was on the field with me, so he happened to be out there and from then we hit it off so I did reach out to him after the Maryland game just to talk to him, just to get another perspective," said Beatty. "He just told me to calm down and just take care of everything because you’re there for a reason. They wouldn’t have you there if they didn’t want you.”

Now Beatty is preparing for his sophomore season with a year's worth of lessons under his belt and the confidence that comes with having gained that experience. 

So far new Special Teams coordinator Charles Kelly and the two kickers have formed a good working relationship too. 

“I feel like we’ve been working with each other for a few years already," said Beatty. "We’re very comfortable with each other, he knows how I’m going to punt every time, he knows when I do one small thing wrong and he can say one word and I’ll fix on my next punt and hit it well.”

Kelly and Beatty will still need to work to shore up some issues with protection on punts, but Beatty feels his best kicks are ahead of him. Now it's just a matter of smoothing everything out.

“I’m not going to put it on my blockers at all, we’re a team, we’re all together. We got those punts blocked as a unit," said Beatty.

“I just want to hit the ball well and get a good net out of it and let my guys cover, I’m looking for a fair catch and anything over 40.”

Beatty will continue to utilize his Aussie punt to try and pin teams inside the 20. Neither him nor Kelly prefer directional punting, especially when they trust the gunners will be able to down the ball if the hang-time is there.

As long as the blocking holds, Beatty is very good at burying teams deep. He should have plenty of chances to do just that in 2013.

Meanwhile Aguayo is just trying to make the most of practice and save his leg for the games.

"You try to minimize the reps because you’re going to get tired, plus you know what you’re doing," said Aguayo. "You’re trying to save yourself for the games.

"It’s quality reps, not quantity.”

 

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After Taking His Lumps in Year One, Chris Kourtzidis Ready for Year Two

At 6-4 235 Christo Kourtzidis looks the part of a college tight end.

But looking the part and playing the part are two entirely different things, as Kourtzidis learned his freshman year- the hard way.

“Well the first D-End I had to block when I got here was Tank, so that was the moment where I was like ‘alright this is going to be different,’" joked Kourtzidis.

After starring as a pass-catching tight end in high school, Kourtzidis came to Florida State where his first assignment on the football field was to block Tank Carradine, the guy who tossed up 32 reps on the bench at his Pro Day and could potentially go in the first round of the NFL draft in a couple weeks despite tearing his ACL in Florida State's 2012 regular season finale.

How did it go?

“Not so well," he admitted. "I stepped down trying to cut him off and he just bench-pressed my chest with one arm and it was just like ‘ok, well, you know.’ And then you’ve got to learn the techniques and get around that.”

Kourtzidis admits blocking was not his strong suit when he arrived in Tallahassee.

“Especially in high school, you’re bigger than everybody else, faster than a lot of people so they want to get you out in space, get you the ball. So it’s different," he said. "Also just the size of the D-ends the size of the linebackers at this level is a lot different so it’s an adjustment but we’re getting there.”

With a year in the weight room and the experience he gained as a freshman, Kourtzidis feels he's ready to make the next step in 2013.

“I’d have to say so, a little bit of that comes from putting a little bit of weight on," Kourtzidis said. "Just being in the weight room, being in this program for a long period of time. But it’s always tough to work on, you’ve got to improve both aspects as much as you can.”

He's also made strides in the classroom and studying film where he feels he's begun to really pick up on Jimbo Fisher's offense.

“That’s the biggest difference I’ve felt is once you get a grasp of that offense, once you’re comfortable doing what you’re supposed to do, when you don’t have to think about that you can focus on the technique, focus on having a plan before the play as opposed to trying to figure out where you’re supposed to go.”

Kourtzidis played in eight games as a freshman, he caught one ball for 13 yards. He's hoping with him improved blocking, he'll have shown enough this Spring and in Saturday's Garnet and Gold game to earn a bigger role next season.

“I think what I took from that is you just have to take things in stride," said Kourtzidis. "Things aren’t going to go right every day, they’re also not going to go how you want or how you expect so you’ve just kind of got to move on your feet and go with the flow a little bit and not take things too hard and just keep your confidence up.”

He's also been working to improve his receiving skills, staying after practice to catch extra balls and working with Nick O'Leary to become a better all-around pass-catcher.

"I’ve actually learned a lot from him as far as route-running goes and stuff like that," said Christo. "He’s actually kind of a natural at it so I’ve picked up a lot of just little nuances from him that help a lot.”

Now number 83 just needs to put it all together on the field.

Saturday will go a long ways towards tell just how far he's come.

 

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Four-Man QB Competition May Be Turning into Two-Man Race

Profile: Clint Trickett
Profile: Jameis Winston
Profile: Jacob Coker
Profile: Sean Maguire 

Florida State's four-man quarterback battle has been one of the more well-publicized parts of team's Spring activities. After losing EJ Manuel to graduation (and the NFL), the team is looking for its next signal caller and every fan has a favorite.

Whether it's Clint Trickett, Jameis Winston, Jacob Coker or Sean Maguire, Seminoles fans are all hoping their next QB will be the next great one in Florida State history. 

You'd think the competition could drive a wedge between the four, but they all maintain that couldn't be any less true.

“We’re all friends, everybody’s trying to help each other out," said Coker. "They’ll get down on themselves sometimes but you’ve just got to learn to keep yourself up. Because there is a lot of pressure going into it, you don’t want to let anybody down. You want to be the guy. One bad practice you start thinking about it all day and you’re ready to get out there again but you’ve just got to realize we’ve got practice again tomorrow and it’s a new day.”

All four have stated that they don't view themselves as much in competition with one another as in competition with the defense and coach Fisher. Whether it's in the film room or on the field. 

“In a lot of ways it’s fun to have a quarterback competition," said QB coach Randy Sanders. "At the same time it’s kind fun to have the guy you know is going to be the starter so he can get most of the first group reps and you can start building some continuity. When I became the quarterback coach, the first thing my wife asked me was ‘Do they have a returning starter?'"

"It’s fun to watch them learn. I am excited about the abilities they do have. Who it is or when it happens, they will determine that. They’ll determine that by how they play. How productive they are. How well the team moves when they’re in there. How many points we score. When it happens, how it happens is up to them.”

So far it's been close, with Fisher refusing to give much insight into how things are playing out. But based on discussions with players and what has been on display, it's beginning to look as though some separation is beginning to form.

“You get the right ones – two of them or one of them that step up and become the guy, you’ve got to get there, but I think we are getting there," said Fisher after the Seminoles' most recent scrimmage.

"Now, you say that we feel comfortable putting guys in the game, if one guy gets hurt the other guy can go in and do the same thing. We’re getting much more comfortable that way.”

It looks as if Clint Trickett is still holding strong as the starter with Jameis Winston now pulling into second on the depth chart. Coker has been hurt, but Winston has begun to grab the attention of his teammates with his mobility and touch.

Clint Trickett is the safest bet because of his knowledge of the office. He's going to be efficient and make good decisions, but he's never going to to have the athleticism that Winston has, nor the high-end potential. 

As Florida State heads into Saturday's Garnet and Gold game there will be a lot of factors for Jimbo Fisher to consider if he's deciding between the two. 

Things like whether Trickett's consistency or Winston's potential for growth should be weighed with more importance, whether he has enough faith in the Jeremy Pruitt's new defense to put up with some freshman growing pains and how much leash he wants to give the starter with the other guy nipping at his heels.

By no means are Coker and Maguire out of the race, this is still a four-man competition. But so far through the Spring, Trickett and Winston seem to be laying the most claim to the starting job.

We won't know for a while though.

A lot could change on Saturday, but I still wouldn't expect a decision until August.

 

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Offensive Line Ready to Protect FSU's Quarterback... Whoever That Is

Two years ago the Seminoles were forced to start four freshmen in the Champs Bowl against Notre Dame.

It was not one of the finer moments in recent Florida State history. Or at least that's how it seemed at the time. The Florida State offense struggled all evening and the defense and special teams more or less carried the 'Noles to a win over the Irish.

It's interesting how that looks now.

Notre Dame didn't lose again until the national title game last season. They went on to have one of the top defenses in the country. And that beleaguered offensive line? It churned out one of the nation's top rushing attacks on its way to a conference title and an Orange Bowl win.

Suddenly, heading into 2013 the offensive line is one of the strengths of the Florida State team.

For starters, the line has gotten comfortable. After moving around and trying to find the right grouping, it seems that things have finally settled save one or two positions. Cam Erving, for instance, was new to the offensive line last season. This year he returns as a veteran left tackle.

“I feel a whole lot more comfortable, I feel like I can actually help other people who don’t know what’s going on whereas last year I didn’t really feel as comfortable with the position as I do now," said Erving. "It feels pretty good, I feel like I know what’s going, I’m just trying to be more consistent.”

Opposite Erving, Bobby Hart is coming into his own as both a player and in terms of maturity.

“Bobby’s doing great," added Erving. "Even when I first came to the defensive line, I mean I said this a million times before Bobby really helped me. He’s an intelligent young man and it’s just getting back in the flow of things. You know you don’t play a lot of football for a year and then you come back it’s going to be different. Bobby’s been working really hard, we’ve done a lot of things together. I’m confident in what he can do, it’s just all about what the coaches want.”

“I just take every rep like it’s the last rep like it’s a game rep with just trying to do better with everything I do out there," said Hart. "I’m always progressing.”

Hart has a chance to win the starting right tackle job after losing it to future NFL-draftee Menelik Watson last year. Hart will be 19 next season and may be the youngest junior in the country, but many believe his ceiling to be just as high as the much older, more developled Watson's.

At guard Tre Jackson and Josue Matias continue to develop and should see plenty of action in each of their second full season as starters. They have both grown considerably since that Champs Bowl.

The anchor of the line is center Bryan Stork. With Watson gone he is the unquestioned leader of the unit. 

"Stork’s always there to pick me up when I’m down," said C Austin Barron, who also played agaisnt Notre Dame two years ago. "He explains everything to me when I mess up, he’s just always there to back me up with the everything.”

If Hart cannot win the starting job, it's likely Stork will move out to tackle and Barron will play center for the Seminoles. That remains to be determined. 

With either configuration though, the Seminoles are confident their line will be the backbone of the offense.

“I definitely feel that we can make a great stride, but like I said we’ve just got to do it day by day. The chemistry is there we just need to lock in to what’s going on.”

 

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Not Many Running Backs Left Standing Headed Into Garnet and Gold Game

Ryan Green, get here soon.

Florida State fans aren't likely to see a ton out of the running back position in Saturday's Garnet and Gold game, the Florida State backs have been beaten and battered over the course of the Spring and there aren't many left standing.

Devonta Freeman, the team's leading rusher the past couple of years, has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain after getting stepped on during a tackle earlier during Spring camp.

Then there's Mario Pender who missed all of last season with a sports hernia after enrolling early so he could go through Spring a year ago. He got dinged up in the scrimmage on Monday and was held out of practice Wednesday. He participated on Thursday but with head injuries you can never be too sure and it isn't a given he goes on Saturday either.

James Wilder is definitely out for the Garnet and Gold game. His Spring finale was Monday's scrimmage where he displayed some toughness and brutality on the goalline. Unfortunately it came at a price. Wilder re-aggravated a rib injury that had been nagging him and will be held out so he can rest and be healthy for camp at the end of the Summer.

But that leaves the backfield relatively empty for the Spring game.

Chad Abrams is the lone back who is anywhere close to completely healthy. He will likely get a number of carries potentially opposite Mario Pender. But the two backs of note for next season, Wilder and Freeman, are both out for the Garnet and Gold game.

That's disappointing, but ultimately wise considering how vital the run game will be come next season.

With the three backs healthy Florida State should have a nice three-headed backfield with Pender serving as a home-run threat to compliment the balance of the Wilder-Freeman attack. 

But this also underscores concerns that Florida State coaches and fans will have about depth all season. Highly touted St. Pete Catholic RB Ryan Green will likely find himself in a position to see carries as a freshman should anything happen to the other three. Green is extremely fast and very talented, but given the kind of program Florida State is trying to become, I doubt they're thrilled he may be thrust into action as a true freshman rather than be given a chance to come along slowly in the system.

Regardless, for the sake of the Spring game, with a QB competition playing out, having a pass-heavy offensive attack won't be the worst thing that could happen to the Seminoles.

They just better hope it doesn't have to be that way next Fall.

 

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Casher Looking To Bounce Back From Blown Knee

Chris Casher has had a bizarre couple of seasons.

After missing his entire senior year of high school over an eligibility issue, he decided to leave his home state of Alabama and enroll at Florida State.

“It was really important because they kind of stuck by me through my trials and tribulations and it just made me want to stay dedicated," said Casher.

But things didn't get much easier for him. Casher started the season under the impression he would redshirt before an injury to Brandon Jenkins changed that decision. Shortly after learning he would play as a true freshman, he blew out his knee and had to miss the season anyway.

“For my senior year, only one word really sums that up, I just had to sacrifice," said Casher. "As far as last year me getting hurt, stuff happens for a reason. I look at it like maybe that’s the Lord’s way of telling me I have to slow down, learn more technique, study more film and learn a little bit more.”

So Casher has gotten back to basics, refocusing on the fundamentals and techniques he feels will give him the kind of foundation he needs to be a good college player.

Keep in mind, Casher didn't come to FSU as a defensive end. 

“He’s showing the athleticism but you’ve got to remember in high school he was a wideout and an outside backer," said Jimbo Fisher. "He’s never put his hand in the dirt and taken those kinds of snaps.

“It’s good for Chris to get back out there and play. Chris has a chance to be a very good player he’s just got to keep coming and doing the right things, this will be a nice step for him.”

As Casher learns his new position, the 6-4 250-pound redshirt freshman also needs to regain confidence in his knee. Physically he's around 100 percent, but mentally, it's not all back.

“I try talking to him all the time," said DE Mario Edwards Jr. "Chris is a great athlete, he still like thinks about it with his leg but I try to tell him you’re 100% good otherwise you wouldn’t be out here so you just have to go back to the feel of it and just do what you normally do. He’s definitely getting back to his speed.”

“There’s times where sometimes I feel like I still do favor it but I still have a long way to fall so it will come around," said Casher.

For now, Casher has plenty of time to keep focusing on learning the defense and learning to trust his knee again. As he said, the Fall is a ways off. The next thing he's worried about is the Garnet and Gold Game

“I’m really looking forward to it man," Casher said on Thursday night. "When I leave here I’m going to go study my playbook and make sure I’m ready.”

 

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Jameis Winston Turning Heads in Seminole Camp

He's all over the place.

One minute Jameis Winston is on campus taking a class. The next he's lining up under center at Florida State's Spring practice taking snaps with the first team. Then he's jetting to Coral Gables where he's striking out Canes with a mid-90's fastball.

The legend of Jameis Winston grows by the day.

Coming out of high school the two-sports star was part of ESPN's Elite 11, considered to be one of the top recruits in the country. Since coming to Tallahassee all he's done is catch the attention of teammates in not one, but two sports.

“He works at it, he works at both sports," said Jimbo Fisher after Florida State's most recent scrimmage. "He’s not the guy who has the talent and goes back both ways, he’s spending time in the film room and he’s spending time at baseball and he goes and gets treatment on his arm and then he comes back out. He wants to do it, it’s in him and he’s doing a good job. But it really doesn’t surprise me.”

“I don’t have a social life anymore," joked Winston. "It’s hectic but I’m a kid, you know? That’s fun. Everyone dreams of doing multiple things, doing as many things as they can, possibly and this helps me stay out of trouble. You know I’d rather play multiple sports than get involved in stuff I don’t need to be involved in.”

It's a lot for anyone to handle, even a high-energy 'kid' like Winston. Between classes, studying, learning a football playbook, team meetings, practice, baseball practice and ballgames, Winston rarely has a free moment. 

But he's not worried about burnout.

“That’s mental, that’s from the mental part of everything. So I don’t think it can," said Winston. "Well, I know it probably will be on my body, on my arm and everything but as long as I’m out there having fun that’s the last thing on my mind.”

The only thing on the 6-4 215-pound redshirt freshman's mind these day (when it comes to football, at least) is winning the starting quarterback job. Something he has already made progress towards.

Winston's rare blend of arm strength and athletic ability are impressive enough in and of themselves, but he's also demonstrated leadership on both the diamond and the practice field. Whether it's being the last guy off the field to work with teammates after a bad practice or calling the team together before a rally when the baseball team is trailing, Winston is already demonstrating his leadership ability.

He's also shown off an "it" factor to some of his teammates.

“I mean that boy's good, he puts the ball on the money, even his deep balls," said S Terrence Brooks. "He throws that ball right as they come out of the breaks so it makes it a little bit harder for us, he does a great job of looking us off and just having us on the edge at all times.”

“[He shows it with] just the ability to escape dangerous situations when the rush comes, his ability just to work with you," said WR Kenny Shaw. “He shows some signs that EJ had shown, that’s probably where his “it” factor comes from is his feet and ability to make decisions.”

If Winston plays the game a little bit like EJ Manuel did, thats with good reason. Manuel played a major role in mentoring Winston last season.

“EJ helped me a lot his first year just because he liked the fact he was my mentor and stuff like that," Winston said. "So he knew he had to do his job but he also knew ‘ok I got a little brother right here, let me help him out, fill him in on some stuff.’ He helped me a lot last year.”

Winston and Manuel worked together on a lot of things, but more than that Winston credits EJ with showing him what to expect at this level and how to handle it with dignity. After watching Manuel handle his own trials and tribulations all freshman year, Winston has already begun to apply those lessons to his own career.

For instance Winston really doesn't care about hype or pressure.

“EJ didn’t care either," he said. "You see where EJ’s going to finish up now. He’s going to get drafted. He didn’t care. He was just out there doing his job the whole time.”

“It’s easy to ignore because last year I sat the bench the whole year and didn’t see the field. So that was real easy to get over. I just really worry about winning, all that hype and all that other stuff that’ll come when you prove yourself.”

 

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Jacobbi McDaniel Ready to Take Out His Frustration on Opponents

Jacobbi McDaniel came to Florida State amid considerable hype. He was a top recruit who was supposed to help turn the Florida State defense around and bring the Seminoles back to respectability.

Then in the middle of 2011 he got hurt and ended up missing all of 2012 on a redshirt. In that time the Florida State defensive line has rocketed back to respectability, the Seminoles have climbed back to the top of the ACC and a number of other highly-touted recruits have come to FSU and pushed McDaniel to the back of the fanbase's collective memory.

Now he's ready to change that. And he's hungrier than ever.

"I feel like I have something to prove to coming off a devastating injury like that," said McDaniel. "I just have to go back out and just prove myself and play football.”

McDaniel suffered a badly broken ankle against Duke and hasn't played since. He's been through a lot the past two seasons, but now he's just happy to be back out on the field.

“It’s been a blessing, you know, it’s been a real joy," said McDaniel. "I’ve been out two years and you really don’t know how much you enjoy something until something like that happens to you. It was a scare man but just to get back out there in Spring practice is a blessing. I didn’t miss any practice, I’m proud of that, that shows my ankle has come a long ways and just going out there and practicing every day and getting better."

McDaniel is battling for time at defensive tackle where he feels he can contribute a lot this year. 

“Big time man," he said. "I’m going out every day taking pride in myself, taking pride in my craft, not going down, not going out there with my head held down because I just came off this injury I’m going down there to get reps, practice and do what I have to do to better myself and get more confidence in my ankle.”

“He’s back. He’s stronger than before when he got hurt, he’s quick as a cat," said DT Tim Jernigan. "He’s going to play a lot for us this year.”

It didn't always seem like McDaniel would get back to this point though. He admits he went through some pretty dark periods but credits his family for always sticking it out with him and giving him a new purpose to play for throughout his recovery.

"My family was there the whole time to keep my head up, to keep me motivated, to keep me strong," said McDaniel. "So anytime I went into rehab, I thought about my family. I don’t want to do this only for me, I want that purpose, I had a purpose during my rehab. My purpose was I don’t want to let my family down. And they were there the whole time so I don’t want them to feel like there time went unnoticed, it’s just that motivation man, your purpose.”

On Saturday that will come full circle when McDaniel takes the field for the Garnet and Gold game and plays football competitively for the first time in two years.

And the people who have been their supporting him through his rehab will be in the house to see it.

"Everybody’s coming this Saturday," said McDaniel with a massive smile. "I think it’s the first time they’ve come to a Spring game.

"It’s going to be big, man.”

 

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