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Manuel-Fisher Connection Looms Large For Noles

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Since he committed to Florida State in June, quarterback E.J. Manuel has remained in steady contact with FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. Manuel and Fisher have a lot in common.

For one, they both describe themselves as perfectionists. But more than that, they are considered the future of FSU's football program. Fisher has been anointed Bobby Bowden's successor, and Manuel, who threw for 1,859 yards and 18 touchdowns during his senior season at Virginia Beach's Bayside High, is the centerpiece of FSU's 2008 recruiting class.

Rated as the top pro-style quarterback in the country by multiple recruiting services, Manuel is expected to be the heir apparent to the Drew Weatherford-Xavier Lee battle of the past three years. While Weatherford is clearly the starter entering his final season, if Manuel arrives on campus this summer and quickly adjusts, he could immediately challenge Christian Ponder to be Weatherford's backup. Lee remains enrolled at FSU, but his future with the team remains in question considering his shaky academic status.

Another quarterback on the roster, D'Vontrey Richardson, still has a shot at playing time next season, but there is also talk of Richardson possibly playing baseball full time or changing positions.

Regardless of how it plays out, Manuel and Fisher have developed a bond the past several months that makes Manuel the favorite to one day lead the Noles offense.

"His personality and mine are very much alike," Manuel said Saturday after playing in the Under Armour All-Star Game in Orlando.

Manuel has Fisher on speed dial and made sure to check with his future coach when he woke up one morning late last month and saw Fisher was considering leaving FSU to become the coach at West Virginia.

"I definitely called him when I saw it on 'SportsCenter,'" Manuel said. "He had told me from the start that he wasn't going anywhere. In the back of my mind, of course, I've got to think ... you never know what could happen."

Once Fisher opted to stay, Manuel remained committed to FSU and has no plans to take any other visits before National Signing Day on Feb. 6. During his trip to Orlando for the Under Armour game, he visited with two other FSU commitments there - LB Nigel Carr and DB Terrance Parks - to discuss reviving FSU's fledgling program.

"We just want to go down there, work hard, and become part of the family," Manuel said. "They've already accepted us as players. I think we are going to bring it back to the way it used to be."

ACC TICKETS: For those interested in attending the ACC Football Championship Game on Dec. 6 at Raymond James Stadium, you have less than a week to purchase tickets through acctampabay.com's priority pre-sale. The sale ends Tuesday. After that, a ticket lottery will be in effect for all remaining tickets. For more information, visit www.acctampabay.com.

NOT OFFICIAL - YET: LB Geno Hayes, FSU's second-leading tackler, and DT Letroy Guion, who started four games, have yet to declare for the NFL draft. Neither attended classes Monday or Tuesday, heightening speculation that it's only a matter of time before they announce they are leaving school early. They have until Tuesday to apply for the draft.

NOLE NUGGETS: Six-foot-10 freshman F Julian Vaughn is in Ohio at the Cleveland Clinic today and Thursday to receive extensive tests for an unspecified medical condition that causes low blood pressure and fatigue. Vaughn is out indefinitely after starting seven of FSU's first 14 games ... FSU recruits Parks, LB Nigel Bradham and LB Vincent Williams all started classes Monday as early enrollees.

FSU SHORTS

HONOR ROLL: Senior G Shante Williams dished out six assists in Sunday's win against Virginia Tech in the Noles' ACC opener, overtaking Jen Robinson (388) as FSU's all-time assists (391) leader.

SOUNDBITE CENTRAL: ''I can't wait to get out of this slump. I'm pretty sure it will end soon.'' — FSU senior G Isaiah Swann, who shot 51 percent and averaged 15.1 points in FSU's first 11 games, on averaging 6.6 points and shooting 32.5 percent in the past five games.

LOOK OUT FOR: The women's basketball team travels to face No. 12-ranked Duke on Friday, an early ACC test for the 11-5 Noles.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What position concerns you the most as FSU enters the football offseason? To vote and monitor results, visit TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

BLOG BONUS: TE Charlie Graham and reserve offensive lineman Tyler Graves have already transferred, but there could be several more departures. To read more, visit TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

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