Signing Day Preview: Defense

Seminoles.com Senior Writer Brandon Mellor breaks down FSU's returning defensive players and looks at the 'Noles' needs on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary heading into National Signing Day 2012.

01/03/2012

Column: Time To Take Back ACC

The end-goal is a national championship. But before Florida State can return to college-football glory, it has to reclaim its spot atop the Atlantic Coast Conference first, writes Brandon Mellor.

11/17/2011

2008 Class: 4 Seasons Later

Saturday marks the last time that many members of the 2008 signing class will play their final game in Tallahassee. Brandon Mellor looks back at that '08 class and breaks down each of the signees.

10/22/2011

Florida State vs. Maryland Notes

Final game notes from Florida State's 41-16 win.

10/18/2011

Mr. Versatility

From special teams to any position in the defensive secondary, sophomore Terrence Brooks has become one of FSU's most important players.

Nick Moody Photo Gallery

2011 OUTLOOK
Good, strong low in the box safety who shined last season in his first-year as a starter. Brings a physical, hard-hitting presence to the position and is tough to block in the run game. Missed spring practice after minor surgery and likely will make the move to strong safety this season.

2010
A first-year starter at free safety, Moody emerged as a physical presence on the back line of the Seminoles' defense...started each of the last 12 games after sitting out the opener with an injury but closed the season in impressive fashion...ranked third on the team with 79 tackles, which included 4.0 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks...filled his stat line with one interception, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble...Moody's 36-yard fumble return to the Miami 1-yard line set up a one-play TD drive which gave the `Noles a 14-0 lead over Miami...over the final four games - Maryland, Florida, Virginia Tech and South Carolina - Moody amassed 40 tackles...recorded a career-high 13 tackles at Maryland, where he also sealed the 30-16 victory by returning his first career interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the waning seconds - the fourth-longest in school history...his pick-six killed the Terps' potential game-tying touchdown drive and helped earn him a share of ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors...followed up with eight tackles and a forced fumble against Florida, then tacked on a game-high 12 tackles against the Hokies in the ACC Championship game and added seven tackles and a half sack against South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

2009
Appeared in all 13 games for the Seminoles and earned two starts at the rover position, coming against Jacksonville State and Georgia Tech...finished the year with 33 tackles, which ranked eighth on the squad...registered 23 solo stops...recorded a career-high 10 tackles - seven solos - in victory over Jacksonville State...also earned a half-sack against the Gamecocks...also had a productive four-tackle performances in wins over NC State and against West Virginia in the Gator Bowl.

2008
A redshirt season after suffering a shoulder injury which required surgery.

PERSONAL
Four-star prospect and a top five player in the state of Pennsylvania according to Rivals.com...played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl...named honorable mention for best closing speed and most physical at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl...was projected by some outlets as an outside linebacker based on size...helped his Roman Catholic High School team to the league championship as a senior...was athletic enough to line up at cornerback, safety and linebacker in high school...also reeled in 13 TD receptions as a sophomore wideout...chose FSU over offers from Penn State, Georgia Tech, Michigan State and Temple...born January 29, 1990.

DEFENSE

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