FSU Loads Up On Linebackers
Published: Feb 9, 2005
Tampa Tribune
TALLAHASSEE - If everything broke Florida State's way on National Signing Day last week, linebackers coach Kevin Steele was riding the crest of the wave.
Already in command of a group of linebackers he said is the most talented he has ever coached, including his time with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL, Steele wore the look on signing day of a wealthy man who'd just won the lottery.
At least four and probably closer to a half-dozen linebackers on the 2004 team appear destined to play in the NFL. On top of that, Steele brought in four prep seniors who could become impact players in college and possibly beyond.
``We've been very fortunate to go out and convince what I think is the nation's best high school linebackers to come here,'' Steele said.
If it's good fortune, plenty of it coincided with Steele's arrival.
Ask anybody why FSU struggled in the seasons following its last BCS title game appearance and the response usually will include the names Chris Rix and Jeff Bowden, or both.
But one of the forgotten issues that played a significant role in the downturn was difficulty, or misfortune, in recruiting linebackers.
Between 1997-2001, FSU signed 16 linebackers, none of whom has, or is likely, to play that position in the NFL. Devaughn Darling, who died following an early-morning workout at FSU, probably would have been the exception.
Michael Boulware, originally recruited to FSU as a receiver, plays strong safety for the Seattle Seahawks.
Of the 16 signees, the ones who started at linebacker for FSU included Boulware, Darling, Bradley Jennings, Jerel Hudson, Kendyll Pope and Ray Piquion.
Steele said he didn't have a number in mind when the Seminoles recruited the four who signed last week. But he said there's no such thing as having too many.
``When you recruit the talent we have at the position, what winds up happening is you start having people come out early [to the NFL],'' Steele said. ``You want 'em to graduate, but the truth of the matter is when you got that much talent coming out early - if they stay healthy - is going to certainly be an option.
``It looks like we got a lot, but let's say Ernie Sims comes out early, and you lose [Sam] McGrew [to the NFL], and you lose [senior Marcello] Church and you lose [senior A.J.] Nicholson all in one year. You just can't have enough of them.''
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