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Piurowski Following In Dad's Footsteps

Tribune file photo by COLIN HACKLEY (2007)

Caz Piurowski will start as tight end for the Seminoles, coach Bobby Bowden says.

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By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 7, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - One of the things Bobby Bowden loves to talk about are some of Florida State's stars of the past. One such favorite of Bowden's is Pasco County resident Paul Piurowski.

Last year in an almost wistful manner, Bowden recalled Piurowski's playing days for the Seminoles in the late 1970s.

"Paul was one of my all-time favorites," Bowden said. "He was from Sarasota and I signed him my second year at Florida State. He played a great linebacker for me."

Now that Piurowski's son, Caz Piurowski, is on the Seminoles roster, it's not at all surprising that Bowden might have a senior moment when speaking of the younger Piurowski.

"Paul ..." Bowden began to say when he caught himself in mid-sentence, "... well, Paul is his dad. I used to coach his dad."

Bowden has two more years of coaching Caz, who is entering his third season with the Seminoles. This season, it seems Bowden and his assistants finally have decided to permanently keep the former Land O'Lakes standout at his original position, tight end.

Piurowski came to Tallahassee with much fanfare, ranked the No. 5 tight end in the nation by Rivals.com, but Piurowski continued to grow and nearly outgrew his position when he reached 6-foot-7, 275 pounds.

Piurowski made two starts his freshman year, catching seven passes for 55 yards.

In 2007, Piurowski's sophomore year, the Seminoles were so short of offensive lineman, Bowden played Piurowski at right tackle. At the time, Bowden thought it was a smart move - one suggested by Piurowski himself - as he had a good chance of playing for pay in a couple of years as a tackle.

Now, it's back to tight end, where Florida State is short of bodies.

"Caz," Bowden said, "will be a starting tight end. He'll miss the first three games. We had moved him to tackle and probably would have started him at tackle but then we got all our tight ends hurt and we had to move him to tight end."

Piurowski will not play the first three games as he was one of 25 players caught in the net of an academic scandal at the school last fall.

Nothing suggests to Bowden that Piurowski won't be a chip off the old block.

"He did well," Bowden said of Piurowski's limited time at tight end. "He had a good spring. He's ready to produce."

Piurowski started six games last year, playing in 10. He caught five passes for 57 yards, including a 27-yard catch against Maryland, his longest at Florida State. He's still looking for his first touchdown.

Bowden tried to dispel any probability that Piurowski may move back to tackle. "It would take something drastic to have to move him back in," Bowden said. "He is your No. 1 tight end and we're looking for good things from him.

"Starting tight end ain't bad."

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