August 2012 Archives
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State's 2012 season gets started Saturday evening and to help kick the year off in style, two United States Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets will perform a flyover from the north to south endzones before the Seminoles square off against Murray State.
Led by U.S. Navy Captain Scott Fisher, who has a daughter that graduated from FSU and a son that is currently a senior, the Super Hornets will fly over Bobby Bowden Field around 5:53 p.m. at the conclusion of the National Anthem.
Fisher's crew is part of the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-9) based all the way out in China Lake, Calif.
Saturday's flyover will be the first of several for Florida State games this season.
The next one will take place prior to the 'Noles' noon game against Wake Forest Sept. 15 and will be performed by four A-10 "Warthogs" based out of Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
For each game, fans are encouraged to be in their seats well before kickoff to watch these unique and memorable spectacles.
Stay tuned to Seminoles.com for future updates on more pre-game flyovers.
Join hosts Ryan Pensy and Brandon Mellor for an all-new Doak Insider Podcast.
It's game week in Tallahassee as the Florida State Seminoles prepare to open their season against the Murray State Racers. You'll hear from Jimbo Fisher and EJ Manuel as the guys discuss the depth chart and the opening press conference. They also preview the Murray State Racers, their coach Chris Hatcher and their quarterback Casey Brockman.
Make sure to share the Doak Insider Podcast with your friends and follow us online at Seminoles.com. You can email the show at fsupodcast@gmail.com.
If you missed it yesterday, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher showed off his acting chops in what would be the first of two ESPN College GameDay commercials featuring the Seminoles.
Well, he's at it again.
Here's the newest commercial with the first one posted beneath it:
If you are headed to Saturday's game between Florida State and Murray State and need a place to tailgate, make sure to check out the Tallahassee Seminole Club.
The TSC has some detailed information on their tailgate currently on the website. Check it out by clicking here.
Saturday's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. but tailgates will get going in the early afternoon.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- If it didn't feel quite like game week, it does now. Florida State officials have released the first two-deep depth chart of season, which provides a tentative look at the top few players at each position heading into the opener against Murray State Saturday at 6 p.m.
No. 7 FSU enters the 2012 season loaded across the roster but the team did have some question marks entering fall camp earlier this month.
Following the dismissal of Greg Reid, the Seminoles had a vacancy at cornerback. Nick Waisome started camp atop the depth, sliding from his No. 2 spot into the starter's role after Reid left the program.
Monday's release of the depth chart shows that Waisome maintained that spot despite some heavy pressure from freshman standout Ronald Darby, who drawn the praise of head coach Jimbo Fisher multiple times throughout the month of August because of his speed, instincts and attention to detail.
Even though Waisome is listed as the starter, Darby figures to still play meaningful snaps -- Fisher said as much following the team's second preseason scrimmage last week -- and the No. 1 spot at cornerback could change weekly between the two.
FSU's other big question in the preseason was finding a starter at right tackle following the graduation of Zebrie Sanders.
Sophomore Bobby Hart entered camp as likely starter on the right side but it became evident early that the job was going to be won by one of the 'Noles' two junior-college transfers.
Fisher said in recent weeks that he is comfortable with either Menelik Watson or Daniel Glauser in that spot and at least for the time being, that job has gone to the former. Like the cornerback battle between Waisome and Darby, this is another spot on the depth chart that could possibly change week-to-week depending on game performance and practices.
Interestingly enough, Glauser began his first year at FSU as the primary backup to Cameron Erving at left tackle and he remains there on the depth chart, even though he is also listed as the backup at right tackle. Hart, who started eight games at right tackle as a 17-year-old freshman a season ago, is now listed as the second-team right guard behind Tre' Jackson.
One other interesting note to consider are the collective backgrounds of Florida State's starting tackles for the first game: Erving is a former defensive tackle that has never played offense before and Watson is the former college basketball and boxer that may be the most interesting player in all of college football.
Darby, Watson and Glauser aren't the only newcomers to make their marks on FSU's depth chart for 2012.
Freshman Marvin Bracy is listed in the third spot at "Y" wide receiver, freshman Eddie Goldman is third at defensive tackle behind Anthony McCloud and Timmy Jernigan and Kevin Haplea and Christo Kourtzidis are listed as Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, at tight end.
Rookie linebacker Reggie Nothrup also earned the No. 2 job at weakside linebacker behind Christian Jones.
Darby and Bracy are also listed as backups to Karlos Williams and Lamarcus Joyner at kick returner.
To see the full depth chart for the Murray State game, click here.
Florida State's 2012 season kicks off in eight days and if you aren't fired up yet this video ought to do the trick, courtesy of Seminole Productions:
Go in the locker room with Florida State, and as you listen, imagine Coach Fisher is talking directly to you... Whether you are at the game or watching from miles away, you can make an important contribution to the success of this FSU team through Seminole Boosters.
Join today by clicking here.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The ACC portion of the Florida State men's basketball team's 2012-13 schedule was released Wednesday afternoon and there are more chances than ever for fans to show their support at the Donald L. Tucker Center as the 'Noles look to defend their league title.
After opening the conference slate at Clemson for the second year in a row, FSU returns from its two-game road trip for a matchup with North Carolina Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. live on ESPN. It will be UNC's first time back in Tallahassee since the 90-67 drubbing they experienced last year on the Seminoles' home court.
Following rematches with Clemson and Maryland, Duke is on the home schedule as FSU will host the Blue Devils in another 2 p.m. Saturday game on ESPN -- this time on Feb. 2.
Florida State's nine-game home schedule is then rounded out with contests against Miami, Boston College, Wake Forest, Virginia and NC State and every conference game -- home and away -- is either on one of the ESPN networks or the ACC Network.
FSU has the benefit of playing the Cavaliers and Wolfpack at home in the final two games of the regular season before traveling to Greensboro for the annual ACC Tournament.
The league's new 18-game schedule means FSU fans have even more opportunities to see the 'Noles in action at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Ensure that you've got the best seats in the house for games against North Carolina and Duke by purchasing season tickets today by clicking here or calling 1-888-FSU-NOLE.
FSU's recently launched Spear-It Rewards gives prizes to fans that follow the men's basketball team as well. So if you purchase season tickets and go to the games you can check-in to the Donald L. Tucker and start accumulating points for future prizes. Points can also be attained by following the Seminoles on Twitter at @FSU_MBasketball.
To join Spear-It Rewards, click here.
Anthony McCloud was given the Seminoles.com microphone at media day and the senior defensive tackle didn't disappoint.
Here's the video in case you missed it:
Former Florida State running back Lorenzo Booker opened the second half of Chicago's preseason game against Green Bay Saturday night with a bang with this 105-yard touchdown return:
Courtesy of the Associated Press:
The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press preseason college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, final 2011 records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and 2011 final ranking.
| RANK | TEAM | 2011 RECORD | POINTS | PV |
| 1 | Southern Cal (25) | 10-2 | 1,445 | 6 |
| 2 | Alabama (17) | 12-1 | 1,411 | 1 |
| 3 | LSU (16) | 13-1 | 1,402 | 2 |
| 4 | Oklahoma (1) | 10-3 | 1,286 | 16 |
| 5 | Oregon | 12-2 | 1,274 | 4 |
| 6 | Georgia | 10-4 | 1,107 | 19 |
| 7 | Florida St. | 9-4 | 1,093 | 23 |
| 8 | Michigan (1) | 11-2 | 1,000 | 12 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 11-2 | 994 | 9 |
| 10 | Arkansas | 11-2 | 963 | 5 |
| 11 | West Virginia | 10-3 | 856 | 17 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 11-3 | 838 | 10 |
| 13 | Michigan St. | 11-3 | 742 | 11 |
| 14 | Clemson | 10-4 | 615 | 22 |
| 15 | Texas | 8-5 | 569 | NR |
| 16 | Virginia Tech | 11-3 | 548 | 21 |
| 17 | Nebraska | 9-4 | 485 | 24 |
| 18 | Ohio St. | 6-7 | 474 | NR |
| 19 | Oklahoma St. | 12-1 | 430 | 3 |
| 20 | TCU | 11-2 | 397 | 14 |
| 21 | Stanford | 11-2 | 383 | 7 |
| 22 | Kansas St. | 10-3 | 300 | 15 |
| 23 | Florida | 7-6 | 214 | NR |
| 24 | Boise St. | 12-1 | 212 | 8 |
| 25 | Louisville | 7-6 | 105 | NR |
Others Receiving Votes: Notre Dame 83, Washington 55, Auburn 53, North Carolina 32, Utah 30, Georgia Tech 25, BYU 22, Tennessee 15, South Florida 11, Baylor 9, Texas A&M 5, UCF 4, Cincinnati 3, Missouri 3, N.C. State 3, Houston 1, Louisiana Tech 1, Mississippi St. 1, N. Illinois 1.
The annual FSU Preseason Football Show produced by award-winning Seminole Productions will air Saturday, Aug. 18 at 11:30 a.m. on Sun Sports.
This year's show features Tom Block and Keith Jones breaking down the 2012 Seminoles along with interviews with EJ Manuel, Dustin Hopkins, Brandon Jenkins and head coach Jimbo Fisher.
The show will air again on Sun Sports several times throughout the month of August.
And here is Andy Staples' excellent preview article on Florida State: You've heard this before, but ... the Seminoles might really be back
Charlotte, N.C. - Raycom Sports' multi-Emmy Award-winning summer television series, "Havoline Football Saturdays in the South," concludes its ninth season this weekend. The series, hosted by Tim Brando, is syndicated in 77 markets throughout the country.
This week's show features Florida quarterback and 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, as he reflects back on his time in Gainesville, including winning the 1996 National Championship. And learn about his work at Desire Street Ministries, a non-profit faith-based organization focusing on spiritual and community development around the Southeast.
We also spend time with Florida State legend Ron Simmons. One of only three Seminole players to have their number retired, Simmons was an All-American guard who was later voted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Simmons, though, is also known as a Hall of Fame professional wrestler. See how his career path took him from the gridiron to the ring, where he went on to become the first African-American heavyweight champion.
Then visit with the Duke offensive line who traveled to Ethiopia this spring on a service trip. The players helped drill freshwater wells for a town whose people had to walk miles for water. Hear how the teammates bonded during their trip, while visiting orphanages and spending time with local children.
Finally, Tommy Kane and the Road Trip crew visit with the Garnet and Gold Glitter Guys at Florida State. Learn the history behind their unique way of rooting on the Seminoles, as Tommy joins them for gameday.
For a complete listing of local affiliates and airtimes, please visit http://www.raycomsports.com/football-saturdays-in-the-south/.
Great work as always by Seminole Productions, Chris Ruth, and Seminole Student Boosters.
WHAT: Campus USA Credit Union Grand Opening
WHEN: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 from 11 am - 1pm
WHERE: New branch office located at 1511 Killearn Center Blvd. Tallahassee, FL. 32309
Campus USA Credit Union is a proud sponsor of the Jersey Mike's FSU Kids Club. As part of their grand opening, Cimarron will be on site to help launch new kids club memberships.
The first 50 kids to sign up for the Kids Club on site at the new branch location will get a FREE membership for the 2012-13 school year, courtesy of Campus USA Credit Union. We will be giving out free posters and schedule cards as well as Kids Club T Shirts for those who sign up.
WHAT: TSC Kickoff Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, August 16th, 2012 6-8 p.m.
WHERE: Midtown Pass
Are you ready for some football? With only a few weeks remaining until kickoff, the Tallahassee Seminole Club has assembled the best panel of guests who cover Florida State football. Bring your questions about the upcoming season, recruiting and college football in general. Jeff Cameron from 97.9 ESPN Tallahassee, Gene Williams from Warchant.com and Jim Lamar from the Tallahassee Democrat will have all your answers on everything football!
Social Hour Starts at 6 p.m. and our guest speakers will join us at 6:45 p.m.
Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of Florida State cheerleaders Brooks, Chelsea and Sandy this morning during their video shoot for the recently-announced FSU Spear-It Rewards program:
The video will be released in the near future.
Until then, click here or visit FSUSpearItRewards.com for more information on the new program that rewards FSU fans for supporting the 'Noles through social media and by attending games.
Now you can follow the Florida State football team on Instagram. If you are new to Instragram you can read more about it here - http://instagram.com/
Fans of the Florida State football team can follow the Noles by searching FSUFootball or clicking on the link below.
http://statigr.am/fsufootball
There will be a limited number of these @FSU_GoldenGirls and @FSU_Cheer posters available for free at Sunday's Fan Day in addition to the annual @FSU_Football poster:
For more information on Fan Day, click here.
To see the full story, click here.
FIRST TEAM
QB Matt Barkley, Sr., USC
RB Montee Ball, Sr., Wisconsin
RB Marcus Lattimore, Jr., South Carolina
WR Robert Woods, Jr., USC
WR Sammy Watkins, So., Clemson
TE Tyler Eifert, Jr., Notre Dame
T Ricky Wagner, Sr., Wisconsin
G Jonathan Cooper, Sr., North Carolina
C Barrett Jones, Sr., Alabama
G Chance Warmack, Sr., Alabama
T Luke Joeckel, Jr., Texas A&M
DE Jadeveon Clowney, So., South Carolina
DT Kawann Short, Sr., Purdue
DT Star Lotulelei, Sr., Utah
DE Sam Montgomery, Jr., LSU
LB Jarvis Jones, Jr., Georgia
LB Manti Te'o, Sr., Notre Dame
LB Chase Thomas, Sr., Stanford
CB Tyrann Mathieu, Jr., LSU
S T.J. McDonald, Sr., USC
S Eric Reid, Jr., LSU
CB David Amerson, Jr., NC State
K Quinn Sharp, Sr., Oklahoma State
P Brad Wing, So., LSU
Returns Tyrann Mathieu, Jr., LSU
All-purpose De'Anthony Thomas, So., Oregon
SECOND TEAM
QB Geno Smith, Sr., West Virginia
RB Rex Burkhead, Sr., Nebraska
RB Kenjon Barner, Sr., Oregon
WR Marquess Wilson, Jr., Washington State
WR Marqise Lee, So., USC
WR Keenan Allen, Jr., Cal
T Chris Faulk, Jr., LSU
G Travis Frederick, Jr., Wisconsin
C Gabe Ikard, Jr., Oklahoma
G Omoregie Uzzi, Sr., Georgia Tech
T D.J. Fluker, Jr., Alabama
DL Brandon Jenkins, Sr., Florida State
DL Alex Okafor, Sr., Texas
DL William Gholston, Jr., Michigan State
DL Jackson Jeffcoat, Jr., Texas
LB Arthur Brown, Sr., Kansas State
LB Khaseem Greene, Sr., Rutgers
LB Shayne Skov, Jr., Stanford
CB Jonathan Banks, Sr., Mississippi State
S Tony Jefferson, Jr. Oklahoma
S John Boyett, Sr., Oregon
CB Brodrick Brown, Sr., Oklahoma State
K Caleb Sturgis, Sr., Florida
P Ryan Allen, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Returns Tyler Lockett, So., Kansas State
All-purpose Tavon Austin, Sr., West Virginia
Join hosts Ryan Pensy and Brandon Mellor for an all-new Doak Insider Podcast.
For the second straight day the Florida State football team started practice at 5:30 a.m., the guys offer their assessments from the practice fields. Coach Fisher was looking for more consistency, and the guys discuss who needs to step up.
They also highlight some of the guys who have made an early impact through the first week of practice.
Make sure to share the Doak Insider Podcast with your friends and follow us online at Seminoles.com. You can email the show at fsupodcast@gmail.com. You can subscribe to the show by searching Florida State Athletics in iTunes.
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Buster Posey is the best player in the majors since the All-Star Break, hands down. Check out these numbers.
He's batting .448 since the break with 30 RBI and 18 HR, which ALL lead the entire MLB. Oh yeah, he also has 5 HR in just seven games in August. Everyone at Florida State knew this guy would be special once he got his shot in the big leagues, and Posey is showing why he's the most decorated player in college baseball history.
He led the Giants to a win over the Cardinals last night on the road. Check out this home run he blasted in the first inning.
ESPN and host David Pollack (@davidpollack47) are currently filming and airing "Inside the Program" video features with some of the top college programs across the country. USC was featured Sunday, Alabama Monday and LSU Tuesday while Florida State will be featured Wednesday throughout the day on ESPN.
Pollack and his camera crew were in Tallahassee Tuesday to film the brief video with the focal point being Brandon Jenkins' and Bjoern Werner's ability to rush the passer.
The episode will air throughout the day Wednesday across ESPN's networks. If you miss it on television, you can access the online version here where it is posted.
Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the video shoot, including a GIF of Werner saying "hello" to the tackling dummy playing quarterback:
And here's Werner in action ... GIF style:
Join hosts Ryan Pensy and Brandon Mellor for an all-new Doak Insider Podcast.
The Florida State football team returned to the Al Dunlap practice fields yesterday to open camp for the 2012 season. Jimbo Fisher met with the media before the start of practice and the guys will discuss the injuries the Seminoles have heading into camp.
Monday also brought some clarity to who might replace Greg Reid at punt returner and corner back. The guys offer their insights from the press conference.
The show wraps up with a discussion on Kevin Haplea's transfer from Penn State, and how he fits into the Seminoles plans this season.
Make sure to share the Doak Insider Podcast with your friends and follow us online at Seminoles.com. You can email the show at fsupodcast@gmail.com. You can subscribe to the show by searching Florida State Athletics in iTunes.
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Florida State officially landed Penn State transfer Kevin Haplea after the former Nittany Lions tight end elected to transfer from the school.
Because of the NCAA sanctions placed upon PSU, Haplea will be eligible to play for the Seminoles right away. I'll have a full updated on him and the rest of the tight ends in Friday's camp preview but for now you can read up on the background of EJ Manuel's newest offensive weapon before he came to Tallahassee.
Here is a link to his that was on Penn State's official roster before his transfer: Haplea College Bio
And here is his recruiting profile from Rivals.com when he was a three-star prospect in the 2010 class (side note: you'll notice that Haplea was offered by Florida State and recruited by Seminoles assistant coach James Coley when he was a high school prospect): Haplea Recruiting Bio
Aug. 2, 2012 -- preseason poll | |||||
Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Record | Points | Final 2011 rank | |
1. | LSU (18) | 13-1 | 1,403 | 2 | |
2. | Alabama (20) | 12-1 | 1,399 | 1 | |
3. | Southern California (19) | 10-2 | 1,388 | NR | |
4. | Oklahoma | 10-3 | 1,276 | 15 | |
5. | Oregon | 12-2 | 1,258 | 4 | |
6. | 10-4 | 1,061 | 20 | ||
7. | Florida State | 9-4 | 1,055 | 23 | |
8. | Michigan | 11-2 | 1,023 | 9 | |
9. | 11-2 | 981 | 8 | ||
10. | 11-2 | 948 | 5 | ||
11. | 10-3 | 833 | 18 | ||
12. | Wisconsin | 11-3 | 743 | 11 | |
13. | 11-3 | 717 | 10 | ||
14. | Clemson | 10-4 | 598 | 22 | |
15. | Texas | 8-5 | 549 | NR | |
16. | Nebraska | 9-4 | 501 | 24 | |
17. | TCU | 11-2 | 499 | 13 | |
18. | Stanford | 11-2 | 497 | 7 | |
19. | Oklahoma State | 12-1 | 476 | 3 | |
20. | Virginia Tech | 11-3 | 461 | 17 | |
21. | Kansas State | 10-3 | 398 | 16 | |
22. | Boise State | 12-1 | 271 | 6 | |
23. | Florida | 7-6 | 250 | NR | |
24. | Notre Dame | 8-5 | 166 | NR | |
25. | Auburn | 8-5 | 66 | NR | |
| Others receiving votes (with 2011 records) | |||||
| Washington (7-6) 64; Louisville (7-6) 46; Georgia Tech (8-5) 35; Cincinnati (10-3) 32; Texas A&M (7-6) 28; Baylor (10-3) 23; Utah (8-5) 22; Mississippi State (7-6) 21; South Florida (5-7) 12; N.C. State (8-5) 11; BYU (10-3) 10; Louisiana Tech (8-5) 10; Virginia (8-5) 9; Houston (13-1) 7; Southern Mississippi (12-2) 6; Central Florida (5-7) 5; Rutgers (9-4) 5; Florida International (8-5) 3; Missouri (8-5) 3; Tennessee (5-7) 3; Northern Illinois (11-3) 2; Texas Tech (5-7) 1. | |||||
Need something to get you through the next four days until fall practice begins on Monday?
This should do the trick.
Join hosts Ryan Pensy and Brandon Mellor for an all-new Doak Insider Podcast.
The guys discuss the breaking news Wednesday that Greg Reid has been dismissed from the Florida State football team. Who steps up in his place at both defensive back and punt returner?
Brandon continues his preseason segment previews with the QB's, RB's, DT's and DE's.
The show wraps up with a discussion on Silar Redd's transfer to USC, and how it makes the Trojans a contender to play for the national title.
Make sure to share the Doak Insider Podcast with your friends and follow us online at Seminoles.com. You can email the show at fsupodcast@gmail.com.
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The always-long off-season is finally over at Florida State as the soccer team Wednesday became the school's first athletic program to officially open fall practice.
The football team will be the next squad to get things started when it begins practice Aug. 6 and then the volleyball team will have its first practice Aug. 8.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Wednesday's announcement that Greg Reid has been dismissed from the football program for a violation of team rules means Florida State will open fall camp Monday with not one but two starting jobs up for grabs.
And with No. 1 positions on the depth chart at boundary cornerback and punt returner now in need of new personnel, competition -- particularly amongst FSU's young skill players -- will be ratcheted up an extra notch when the pads are put on for the team's first full practice session Aug. 11.
So who are the likely candidates to earn Reid's jobs in time for the Sept. 1 opener against Murray State? Let's take a look:
CORNERBACK
Sophomore Nick Waisome ended spring practices with his name penciled in as Reid's backup and now could potentially begin his second fall camp at FSU as the team's new starter at boundary cornerback.
Waisome was a highly touted recruit coming out of South Lake High School in Groveland, Fla. before enrolling early in the spring of 2011. As a freshman last year he played primarily on special teams in 11 games but did see a few snaps on defense.
Like Reid, Waisome isn't particularly big (he measures 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds) but he has added 15 pounds to his frame since enrolling at FSU and has the speed and agility necessary to play the position effectively.
Even though he has yet to play a college game after redshirting last season and played field cornerback during his first spring at FSU, Keelin Smith could be a name to watch in the boundary cornerback competition.
Smith was thrown into the first-team fire earlier this year as he took starter's repetitions at cornerback because star defender Xavier Rhodes missed all of spring practices while rehabilitating an injury he sustained in the Champs Sports Bowl.
Despite his inexperience, Smith had a strong enough spring to put him comfortably into the backup role behind Rhodes. Wednesday's news could possibly result in him lining up alongside Rhodes instead of behind him.
As Lamarcus Joyner's backup at safety, sophomore Tyler Hunter could also be in the mix. Hunter not only worked at safety during the spring but also practiced as Florida State's third cornerback in nickelback sets -- the same role that Mike Harris perfected over the past two seasons.
As a freshman last year, Hunter played in 11 games on special teams.
The competition certainly won't be limited to returning players as the Seminoles benefit from a recruiting class that features two rookie cornerbacks with a lot of potential in Ronald Darby and Colin Blake.
Darby was good enough in high school that 247Sports.com ranked him the county's No. 1 prep cornerback for the 2012 class. He is fast enough that he will compete for FSU's track & field program as well. Blake boasts impressive size for a cornerback at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.
One last name that shouldn't be overlooked is Terrence Brooks. Even though he is FSU's new starter at safety alongside Joyner, Brooks spent the first two years of his career as a reserve cornerback before taking over his new job at safety this spring.
Brooks will likely still enter fall still in his spot at safety but defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Mark Stoops at least has him and his experience as a fall-back option in the event that one of the team's youngsters doesn't earn the starting boundary cornerback job.
The fact that Stoops cross trains his defensive backs and recruits players that can play multiple positions helps ease the blow of Reid's loss on defense.
PUNT RETURNER
For as well as Reid played at spurts at cornerback during his career at FSU, it was his work as a return man that made him a nationally recognized name in college football.
Reid would have entered his senior season just 313 yards away from tying Deion Sanders' FSU record for career punt return yardage (1,429). A preseason All-ACC selection as a specialist entering this season, he was also just 180 yards away from setting the new league record for punt-return yardage.
Reid was a special-teams game changer on special teams and whoever does step into that role has big Nikes to fill.
Standout wide receiver Rashad Greene led FSU in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns during his breakout rookie campaign last year but he was also the only other player on the roster to field a punt other than Reid. In 2010, Reid fielded 32 of the team's 33 total punt returns and in 2009 he had 21 of the team's 23 total returns.
In his three-year career, Reid was responsible for fielding 90 of FSU's 96 total punt returns.
If it isn't Greene fielding those punts this year, than it could potentially be a host of other skill players.
Early enrollee running back Mario Pender is known for his speed and he worked in to the kick-return rotation during spring practices. Could a role on punt returns be in his future? Wide receivers Kenny Shaw and Christian Greene as well as Hunter could also be options.
Karlos Williams showed flashes of touchdown-generating potential as a kick returner last season and could be a candidate for punt-returning duties. Two-sport star Marvin Bracy is one of the fastest high school prospects ever signed by the 'Noles and his track speed could be an asset on special teams. The same is true for Darby.
The coaches, of course, are the only ones that know exactly how they'll replace Reid but finding his replacement is a big story line for the championship-hopeful Seminoles.
We won't have to wait long to learn some answers with camp getting started next week.
Seminoles.com will be there every step of the way providing fans with videos, player and coach comments, photos, analysis and much more to go along with the FSU Sports Information Department's official practice reports so stay tuned to the website daily.
