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Notebook: WR McDaniel Ready If Called Upon

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - A year ago, both Damon McDaniel and Preston Parker arrived on campus with big expectations. Reality quickly set in as neither freshman receiver factored much into FSU's plans.

That has changed in Parker's case. Parker leads the Noles in receptions (46) and receiving yards (609), making his sophomore season a successful one. However, McDaniel continues to linger on the bench, still waiting for an opportunity.

"I'm just trying to get my head on right and back in the groove of things," McDaniel said after practice Thursday. "I'm staying focused and waiting my turn. I want to be ready when my turn comes."

A sophomore from Virginia Beach, McDaniel returns to his home state for the second time in less than a month Saturday when FSU visits No. 11 Virginia Tech. Last month, McDaniel went home for the birth of his son, Damon Jr.

He missed a week of practice and the Miami game, dropping behind Joslin Shaw on the depth chart. McDaniel hasn't caught a pass since Oct. 11 at Wake Forest and he didn't even play in FSU's upset of No. 2 Boston College last week despite the absence of WR Richard Goodman, who is out for the rest of the season with a fractured fibula.

"Things come up sometimes in life and you have to make a decision on what's important," he said. "[Missing a week] has been kind of a setback in a way, because earlier in the year I was getting a lot more playing time than I am now."

REPLACEMENT READY: With LB Marcus Ball suspended and LB Rodney Gallon on crutches due to a severely sprained ankle, sophomore Recardo Wright is itching to play against the Hokies.

Wright, after playing 10 games as a freshman, has found it difficult to crack the rotation at linebacker, playing in only two games this season.

"I've been ready all season," Wright said. "I played about four times as much [last season]. I'm not banking on somebody getting hurt, but I'm ready."

NOLE NUGGETS: Fourth-year junior OL Dumaka Atkins had his injured knee scoped Wednesday, likely ending his career. Atkins, who is set to graduate in December, played in 17 games the past two seasons but has missed all this season due to multiple injuries. … FSU coach Bobby Bowden has 299 victories at FSU, and with a victory at Virginia Tech, he can join Penn State's Joe Paterno as the only coaches to win 300 games at one school. … S Myron Rolle was honored by ESPN The Magazine on Thursday, earning a place on the magazine's all-district academic first team for his work in the classroom. Rolle has a 3.81 GPA.

Scott Carter

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