Quote:Willis ever calm before the storm

The 'backbone' of FSU's offensive line is strong, but silent leader of FSU's line
By Jack Corcoran
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida State offensive tackle Ray Willis can't help but crack a smile at the mention of his nickname.

Captain Intensity isn't all business.

"Anybody who knows me off the field, I'm not very intense," Willis said.  "I have a lot of fun and I joke around a lot.  But when it's time to play, it's serious to me. This is not a game to me."

After being forced to confront tragedy from the start of his college career, Willis has developed into a key leader for the No.5 Seminoles, who host No.2 Miami on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.  He has anchored FSU's revamped offensive line from his spot at tight tackle despite limited strength in his left shoulder following offseason surgery.

FSU enters the showdown against the Hurricanes averaging 37.8 points and 441.2 yards per game.  Willis, the lone starter back along the offensive line, has been asked to do his part and much more.

"He's one of the kids we look to be a coach on the field at practice and in games," offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden said.  "He's just about as steady an individual as we have. He's a fierce competitor with little to say."

But the junior has a lot of responsibility.  At 6-foot-6 and 301 pounds, Willis is not only big and skilled but experienced.  He will make his 18th career start against Miami, leading by example.

"He's definitely the backbone of this offensive line," center David Castillo said. "He's got the most experience out of any of us."

The experience extends beyond football.

Willis was preparing for his first full-squad practice with the Seminoles three years ago when he received the news that his mother, Dianne, had died of a stroke.  Even though he was just shy of his 18th birthday, Willis didn't give serious consideration to transferring closer to his home in Angleton, Texas.  He still wanted to live out his dream at FSU.  Tragedy touched his football family six months later when teammate and close friend Devaughn Darling died during an offseason conditioning drill.

"I feel like I'm probably a little bit more mature than a few of my classmates," Willis said.  "I feel like I'm a little bit older than them, not age-wise but as far as just life experiences.  Definitely, when you have a lot of things happen like that in your life, it forces you to grow up a little bit faster than what you probably should have."

Willis spoke in front of more than 1,000 mourners at Darling's memorial service.  He offered words of support to Darling's twin, Devard.

"That let you see a little deeper into him," Bowden said.  "But just as far as a football player, since the day he got here you've kind of seen what he's about as a football player.  He's just a guy the kids know is very serious about what he's doing."

Willis still isn't at full strength, and probably won't be until after the season. Yet he's still better off compared to last season.

"Last year was kind of an off-year because he had that shoulder that kept coming in and out," said Jimmy Heggins, who coaches FSU's offensive line.  "But each week, because of his determination and work ethic, he keeps getting better and better."

The progress isn't fast enough for Willis, who will have to contend with Miami defensive ends Thomas Carroll and Baraka Atkins.

"Personally, I don't even feel like myself coming off the shoulder surgery," Willis said.  "I'm still not really 100 percent yet.  I don't even know where I am right now.  So I definitely feel like I have a lot of improving to do and something to prove to myself.  I know I'm capable of playing even better."

Willis' intensity, by all accounts, has never been better.  Captain Intensity earned his nickname two years ago at Virginia.  Teammates spotted him scribbling a few choice words on his wrist tape.

"It's not too appropriate to say right now," Willis said.  "Leave it at that."