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Seminoles Focus On Building For Immediate Future

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State coach Bobby Bowden was very specific when describing FSU's approach to building its 2008 recruiting class, finalized on Wednesday's National Signing Day.

Bowden, speaking at a late afternoon news conference, said the Seminoles focused on the future - more specifically, the immediate future - in recruiting what ended up being a 30-player class considered one of the nation's best by the major recruiting services. Rivals.com ranked FSU's class seventh in the country, and Scout.com placed the Noles fifth.

"Of course, we based a lot of this recruiting on needs," Bowden said. "The other thing that was important to us this year, really more than in the past, 'Does this kid have a chance to play for us now?' Because the first three ballgames, we're going to have around 12 scholarship guys out."

To emphasize his point, Bowden glanced over at the trio of linebacker Nigel Bradham, defensive back Terrance Parks, and linebacker Vincent Williams - FSU's early enrollees - and offered up a challenge.

"You better be ready to help us immediately," Bowden said, appearing to be only half joking.

Coming off a second consecutive 7-6 season and entering next season with at least a dozen scholarship players facing three-game suspensions in the wake of an academic cheating scandal, FSU went after players who might make an impact earlier than your traditional freshmen.

"I think this group has more maturity than probably our past groups," Bowden said.

Former Wakulla High star Bradham is one of the gems in FSU's class. Named the nation's best linebacker by Parade Magazine, Bradham is expected to challenge for a starting job immediately. Another defensive player, end Markus White of Butler (Kan.) Community College, is expected to contribute right away. White was named national JuCo Player of the Year after recording 25 sacks last season.

Overall, FSU signed 13 defensive players in preparation for opening next season without up to nine regular contributors on that side. One of the most promising newcomers is Hillsborough High defensive lineman Moses McCray.

"He will have to contribute," FSU defensive tackle coach Odell Haggins said. "He looked so good on film. I'm glad we got him, and I tell you, he is a very good athlete for his size."

On offense, FSU's prized recruit is quarterback E.J. Manuel of Bayside High in Virginia Beach, Va. He developed a relationship with offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher early in the recruiting process, committing last summer. Manuel's early verbal commitment helped FSU gain momentum, and by National Signing Day, most of FSU's class was set.

"I'm very happy with the class that we have," Fisher said. "On offense, I think we got a little bit of everything. The big thing we were looking for in this class, we were trying to increase the size of our team and being able to be more physical. We did that."

A late addition was Middleton running back Carlton Jones, a 5-foot-11, 220-pounder who rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season. Plant offensive lineman Rhonne Sanderson is the other Tampa product to sign with the Noles. Fisher is high on Jones, whose questionable grades as a junior and an early commitment to Toledo kept some schools away.

"He was a guy we knew about, and wasn't sure how the grades were going to turn out until he took a test," Fisher said. "I don't know how many stars he has by his name, but I tell you one thing, he's big, fast, athletic, can catch, block, run and make you miss. There is nothing he can't do. I think he is one heck of a football player."

A year ago, Bowden tried to put a positive spin on one of FSU's weakest classes in years, primarily a byproduct of Bowden revamping his coaching staff during recruiting season. He also spoke positively of this year's class, but this time you believed him.

"As I look at it, it's a group I don't think that we could afford to swap with anybody in the country," Bowden said. "I don't know what they've got, but I know what we've got."

FSU SIGNINGS

+Early enrollee

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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