Florida State's renewed recruiting emphasis: South Georgia
by FSUSOM on May 23, 2009 6:00 AM EDT
in FSU Football
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PrintOne area the Seminole coaches (under head coach Jimbo Fisher) have reestablished relationships is South Georgia, aka the most underrated recruiting ground in the land.
This is pivotal to our success as a football team. One of our Heisman Trophy winners came from this fertile ground. Some dude named Charlie Ward.
A South Georgia product
In the Jeff Bowden era, we completely ignored South Georgia. We forgot what buttered our bread. Inexcusable. More recently, that has changed. FSU has done a complete 180 in their recruiting of Georgia, particulary the dynamic southern region.
Our head coach, Fisher, has thankfully made the area a priority again. Jimbo has single-handly gone after recruits from this region.
You might be asking yourself, why Southern Georgia? What makes this area so special? Well, a different breed of athlete comes out of these stomping grounds. With the economics in some areas paralleling some of the lesser advantaged areas in the country, many kids have nothing to turn to but sports. The Southern Georgian athlete is motivated. Typically, the schools and media coverage are bad there, so many stud prospects get overlooked (read: Anthony McCloud and Debrale Smiley). The Southern Georgian athlete is a great athlete. Everyone sees the hoopla South Florida gets. Deservedly so. But Florida State has it's own South Florida, right in its backyard.
Also, there are many FSU fans in the area; due mostly to the close proximity to Tallahassee. No doubt, there are lots of UGA fans. There is probably more UGA fans than FSU fans, but that might be highest percentage of fans in Georgia not rooting for UGA.
Potential Prospects after the jump
Who is Florida State recruiting in South Georgia? Besides the oft mentioned McCloud and Smiley (both are expected back at FSU), the 'Noles are hitting SoGa hard.
Class of 2009
- Gerald Demps, DB (Lowndes)
- Greg Reid, DB (Lowndes)
As you can see, the Seminoles picked up the five star Reid and the four star Demps from Valdosta Lowndes, both DBs. Lowndes is a great school for producing talent.
Class of 2010
- Telvin Smith, LB (Lowndes)
- Commitment Ed Christian, OL (Lowndes)
We are the favorites to land Smith, and Christian is already committed. I like the legit pipeline we are building to Lowndes.
Class of 2011
- Jay Rome, TE (Valdosta) ((offer))
- Tyler Hunter, CB (Lowndes) ((offer))
- Ray Drew, DE (Thomas County Central)
- Jeffrey Dyson, RB (Thomas County Central)
- Shannon Brown, LB (Cook)
Thomas County Central is another school we should hit hard every year. They gave us Smiley and McCloud (08). Jay Rome is the top prospect in Georgia for the class. We have offered both him and Hunter. Here is Tharinger's 2011 Georgia list. We have good shots at all these kids, and it is good to see our coaches start building relationships again.
Bottom line, it's good to see us focus on our base again.
Fsued had this to add:
FSU’s Bowden-era success in South Ga. is worth a short rehash.
It all started with the successful recruitment of Ron Simmon of Warner-Robbins. Most of you know that I still consider Simmons the best player ever at FSU — certainly the best defender.
Also in the 1977 recruiting class was receiver Phil Williams.
In 1978, RB Ricky Williams of Griffin, Ga. was a freshman — Williams was one of the most underrated RB’s in FSU history — he singlehandedly won the 1980 UF game and was a star in the tough tough loss to OU in the 1981 Orange Bowl.QB Eric Thomas was from South Ga. and by then we were off and running.
I’ve got to go, but might expand on this later.
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I see you have removed the "in waiting" part of Jimbo's title.
I kinda like the way that sounds. Good for you and it is probably true anyway.
Thomas County Central also gave us Charlie Ward..they have been a very good program for a long time (along with Valdosta and Lowndes).
A little tidbit…. Former Falcons Running back William Andrews (I know he got injured in the 80’s) was from Thomasville High School.
I have some family in Thomasville, and though I don’t have any actual data, It seems that I see just as much FSU as UGA tags, flags, etc… Many vehicles have both FSU and UGA represented.
It seems that for alot of UGA fans throughout the state, FSU is their #2 school (probably due to proximity to the state), and our hatred of the Gators. Not to mention that fact that the 2 schools rarely play, so there’s no rivalry or dislike for the other program.
Geographically,
scientists say Tally is in Georgia anyways.
by Bud Elliott on May 23, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Schrodingers cat
If we put Bobby B in a box, does he retire when we open the box, or was he already gone?
Telvin Smith
what are our chances landing him?
Pretty good
Gotta battle LSU, but I think we get him.
by Bud Elliott on May 23, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I have always maintained that FSU should place about 98% of it’s recruiting efforts on GA (south of Macon), FL (obviousy), and South Carolina. The only exceptions outside that region would be stud caliber prospects that had a genuine interest in FSU. I’m sorry but if you can’t field and maintain an ass whuppin’ D-1 program from that talent pool, a pool that has been very good to FSU over the years BTW, then you may need to take up aother profession. Piss on wasting time in AL, LA (esp. since the resurgence of LSU and Bama), BFE, and all the other OOS areas we seem to frequent.
Ameica, Land of the free and home to the entitled.
Historical perspective
FSU’s Bowden-era success in South Ga. is worth a short rehash.
It all started with the successful recruitment of Ron Simmon of Warner-Robbins. Most of you know that I still consider Simmons the best player ever at FSU — certainly the best defender.
Also in the 1977 recruiting class was receiver Phil Williams.
In 1978, RB Ricky Williams of Griffin, Ga. was a freshman — Williams was one of the most underrated RB’s in FSU history — he singlehandedly won the 1980 UF game and was a star in the tough tough loss to OU in the 1981 Orange Bowl.
QB Eric Thomas was from South Ga. and by then we were off and running.
I’ve got to go, but might expand on this later.
Ron Simmons
Being older than some of you I agree on Ron Simmons. He came out of Warner Robbins High benching 535 pounds. He was no average high schooler. He threw blockers around like they were pieces of cordwood. I remember one football announcer laughing during the broadcast when Ron was virtually living in the opponents backfield and exclaiming “Ron Simmons loves this game of football.”
Some of the comments back in those days in the papers by guys who played against him were that trying to block him was like trying to move a cement pillar. He also had speed and would probably be in the hall of fame but shortly in his pro career he almost had his hand torn off. The wrist had to be held in place by steel screws.
Once in the Houston game Ron Simmons tackled all three players of a triple option sequence single handily. After tackling the first option as the ball was pitched he ran down from behind the next two players who got the ball and tackled them. The Houston coach said it was the most amazing play he had ever seen in football.
As far as Thomasville, Georgia back “in the day” when I was a receiving threat for Griffin, Georgia Junior High School (LOL) our coach always pointed towards the Thomasville game as the number one rivalry. It was a blood game and the only one I played in before moving to Florida we lost 14-7. Their game featured a big fullback who just ran over everybody.
by DocHoliday2 on May 23, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This is one of the reasons I love this place
If you didn’t grow up on FSU, where would you hear these stories?
by Bud Elliott on May 23, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I hadn't heard about that Simmons story.
Tackled all three? Wow. Maybe Fsued and Doc and write a piece about the greatness of Ron Simmons.
DAMN! If I had the time I would find a link to the song BIG BAD RON. I got to witness Faarooq's
destructiveness in person during my first couple of years there in 79 and 80. These were the years of our rise to national relevance and we went to a major bowl for the first time in our history. We went to the Orange Bowl 2 years in a row but our D had no answers for Oklahoma’s Billy Simms the first year in which they beat us pretty good, and JC Watts and David Overstreet the second year where we lost on a missed field goal as time ran out, and the whole wishbone in both games. Being from South Florida it was great going to watch the NOLES right in my backyard, while home on Christmas break. This was also the start of the Renegade and Osceola tradition and it was so cool having them down there for the OB game, even though the Oklahoma Sooner Schooner was pretty impressive also. During this time frame we beat Pitt with Dan Marino, beat and got beat by Jim Kelly at UM, and the beat Gators for 4 years straight in a row for the first time. Also if I remember correctly I think we ended the season in the top 10 (5th or 6th I think) for the first time ever. Somewhere around this time we had a 2 headed quaterback named Wally Woodham/Jimmy Jordan. Bobby would alternate starting them and If one of them struggled during the game the whole stadium would start chanting the others name. For example if Wally struggled the whole stadium would chanting slowly “Jimmy, Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy”, or vice versa, and sure enough Bobby would yank one for the other, and the whole stadium would go nuts. Our girl friends would sneak in Evan Williams in their purses, which we would buy at Jax on Tennessee St on the way to the game (the drinking age was 18 back then), and we would mix it with coke in those large yellow plastic Seminole cups. We had one of the countries best punter/kicker duo called Thunderfoot (Ron Starks) and Lightning (not sure but I want to say Bill Capece). Some other names I remember during this time were Bobby Butler, Reggie Herring, Ken Lanier, Ivory Joe ??, Willie Jones, Kurt Unglaub, Jessie Hester, and Rick Stockstill (who I accidentally injured during a intramural basketball game against the football players, not too seriously, when I fouled him hard sending him flying into the bleachers, then a couple of the football players came after me wanting to kick my ass, at which point the ref stopped the game, mercifully because they were killing us anyway). Sorry to bore you, but you said you enjoyed hearing these kinds of stories and I didn’t realize I was typing this much.
DAMN!
by FrankDNole on May 23, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Looking for the song, I came across something that reminded me of Oct 4, 1980,
when we traveled to #3 Nebraska and beat them at home 18-14, and Paul Puiroski(?) (Caz’s father) tackled Roger Craig and forced a fumble to end the game. This is a ESPN Top 100 Moment in College Football. You can hear Gene call the highlights (14 mins) with Coach Bill Peterson doing the commentary. Here is a link
http://classicnoles.typepad.com/garnetandgreat/2007/08/garnet-golden-o.html
Here is a link that talks about when Ron Simmons was named to the hall of fame
http://fsuitstime.blogspot.com/2008/05/big-bad-ron-named-to-hall-of-fame.html
DAMN!
by FrankDNole on May 23, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wow, nice!
Great stuff Frank
By the way, enjoyed your comment on Andrew’s blog the other day, RE: NCAA. It was better than the article.
South/Middle Ga Recruitment by FSU
Actually people in South and Middle Georgia know that FSU has “placed” several kids in JuCos from the area as well. If I’m not mistaken there’s a kid from Warner Robins (One B, not two), who is a WR/RB prospect who was highly touted who has been placed.
McCloud and Smiley were from Thomas County Central.
We placed them. You also might be thinking of LB Dan Foster, back in ’05 or so. Cam gothellaswag Wade was from Cairo too.
Welcome to the site, FSU.
Actually there more – The Green kid from Northside-Warner Robins. I believe is a place though we didnt sign him. There are a couple others here and there. The region is very under-recruited because the majority of media in the state is in Metro-Atlanta. It’s a mix of UGA, Auburn & FSU fans. FSU really has made it’s presence felt in the Fall Line area – A line extending from Columbus – Macon – Savannah and everything south. HS Coaches in that area are impressed. I credit it to modernized recruiting: Prospect early, Evaluate early, Offer early.
Thanks for the welcome. >>—GO NOLES—>
Yep I just looked it up - He's at a JuCo in MS
Yeah, I’m pretty positive that was the kid. He was actually a stud (leading rusher for back-to-back undefeated state championship teams in GA), academically his core was OK but zero shot at making scores. So wasn’t even a sign and place, just a place. Which is common in basketball, but becoming more and more common in football.
The benefit of it is, if a kid qualifies. They’re yours if you haven’t already recruited over them. If they don’t, you have built up good will w/ a JC coach who will “keep” the kid for you for 2 years and other people’s hands off. I suspect w/ Jimbo’s ties to the LA/MS region from being at Auburn & LSU this will be a more frequent happening. Again, what happens when you modernize recruiting.
Anyway, the FSU coaches are trying to put a lock down in South GA as in were the only Major DI school here – Hands off – or basically what Miami does to S. FL. Essentially I-75 south of Macon will soon be FSU turf again.
Welcome, FSU!
Are you from South Georgia?
I’m shocked nobody had that username already.
What year did we place the WR/RB prospect?
Something also small to note...
Remember a few years ago when ESPN was doing “Titletown USA.” For those of you who didn’t follow it (I know I didn’t until I was told on another message board), Valdosta won it. I was surprised that this little, little town in Georgia won it. When I made my first ever visit to FSU (October 2007), I was surprised to see signs mentioning the distance to Valdosta. Believe it or not, they’re putting out some talent.
Miami is trying to build a fort around South Florida. Alabama has built a fort around Alabama. Texas has built a fort in Texas, and USC the same in California. Florida has picked pieces everywhere in the state, and has done a great job in Central Florida. There’s no reason why we can’t build a fort around the Big Bend and Southern Georgia. Get these kids that were rivals in High Schools and played together in High School that live two, three hours away. I know as a student driving seven hours is a pain (Fort Lauderdale to Tallahassee). It’s about $120 roundtrip in my Mazda Tribute, or $400 to fly. Get the kids that it’ll cost $10 if they catch a ride with a buddy. Less distance = more likely to stay.
Just wants to beat the Gators
Some other guys from South GA
Clay Shiver & Todd Fordham-A couple of mean OL from Tifton
My boy Tay Cody-Blakely
Alonzo Jackson and Fabian Walker-Americus-Walker would have been good with a real offensive coordinator
Carl Simpson-A real solid DL from Baxley
Several others out there including Fluellen but I think he is from North Georgia.
We used to own South Georgia
When Bowden coached at FSU in the 60s, he plucked raw-boned kids from that fertile ground. He knew it well since he was head coach at S. Georiga College in the 50s.
In ’64 when Peterson, Bowden, et al put FSU on the college football map (including a top 25 finish), the Noles had kids from Jesup (2), Cairo (2), Tifton, Adel, Hawkinsville, Valdosta and Waycross.
Our geographical advantage hasn’t changed. A two-hour drive from Valdosta versus five hours to Athens makes us the team of influence. While S. Georgia may not have the quantity of S. Florida, there are plenty of gems every year. Though, as somebody mentioned, poor schools often mean marginal qualifiers.
One quibble, though. I believe Warner-Robbins is really middle Georgia (at least that’s what they call it in the Macon-W.R. market). To me, S. Georgia begins at a line from Columbus through Cordele to Savannah.
S. GA
I’d agree that Warner Robins is Middle GA. But the style of play is strictly South GA. The 3 schools in Warner Robins all play in the same conference as Lowdnes. I’d say Macon is the dividing line (Though I’d throw Westside-Macon in there – Coached by Ron Simmons former HS Coach Robert Davis).
In the past 5 years, just those 3 schools in a small town like Warner Robins have been raided by USC, ND, Clemson, etc. Though we managed to pull Willie Reid from there a couple years back.
UNC is getting busy there as well, with John Blake (IMHO one of the best in the home recruiters in the country) snatching Johnnie Farms from S. Carolina & Alabama and trying to get in the hunt late with Jacobbi.
We need to get back to that raw athlete that’s from small town GA or North FL, where FSU is in their top 3 just from being surrounded by news coverage. It just makes sense.
Sorry, I’m rambling. I can’t wait for FB season, can you tell : )!
24 comments... Maybe we will start to run pieces on Saturdays
Would people read them? (our numbers decline a lot on weekends)
It certainly didn't hurt BCC when we started doing weekend articles regularly
"The worst kind of non-smokers are the ones that come up to you and cough. That's pretty cruel isn't it? Do you go up to cripples and dance too?"-Bill Hicks
by Jonathan Loesche on May 23, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Heck yeah!!!
I know it’s a lot of work but I appreciate anything you guys have to offer. When I’m not home, my blackberry comes in handy and always keep an eye out for new articles/stories. I have nothing to contribute in this piece but I enjoy reading the stories from other members. It saddens me when there aren’t any new posts over the weekends. :’o( LOL
Alright, I'll see what we can do
They might not be super long.
I will say… if you are going to do a special fanpost, it’s VERY likely to be featured over the weekend. hint
O.K.
“Anybody that doesn’t believe Ron Simmons wasn’t FSU’s greatest defender, need only find a game film of the FSU-Arizona State game played in Tampa Stadium.
ASU ran the Veer offense to perfection in those days. Except, when they had to face Ron Simmons.
Running toward their right side their QB, placed the ball in the hands of their dive back, who was immediately tackled by Simmons. Quickly, the QB, withdrew the ball and proceeded to the outside, only to be tackled by Simmons from behind. At that exact moment, the QB, pitched the ball to his trailing back, utilizing his third and final option. The pitch man was tackled for a lost by Ron Simmons. By himself, he shut down all three options of the veer.
Frank Kush, ASU’s legandary coach, called it the most remarkable play he had ever seen in college football.”
I had to go back through my files it was not Houston but the Arizona State game as far as Ron Simmons. ASU under legendary coach Frank Kush ran the veer option and they ran it well. Kush called it the most remarkable play he had ever seen.
Their quarterback ran to his right and handed the ball to his dive back who was popped by Ron Simmons. He withdrew the ball. He continued running to his right. Simmons had made a quick recovery after tossing the potential ball carrier out of his way like cordwood. Simmons was closing in again on the quarterback who pitched the ball to his trailing back only to be tackled by Simmons behind the line of scrimmage. The boy was a man mountain with speed I am telling you.
But since you boys like the old stories, I was sitting in my fraternity block right near the Pajcic to Lane Fenner touchdown pass and FSU victory. Yeah we were all amazed at the call. He was a good 8 yards in bounds. SEC referees in those days. It was the day I knew I would hate UF forever.
Gary Pajcic couldn’t have been over 5-11 but he was a gamer. We all felt we could beat anybody with him behind center. I knew him from highschool and played against him in baseball. He played center field for Paxson highschool in Jacksonville.
I once hit a screamer double against them and settled on second base as he brought the ball in. I remember he said something like pretty good lick. He was a real gentleman and it is was nothing like hey you picked up blind acorn or some of the things you hear in baseball.
I used to pass Gary from time to time at FSU when he showed up as a freshman and talk about the old days. I am telling you as a freshman he was about 5-11, 165 pounds. I used to think to myself, lord they are going to kill this guy. But they didn’t.
Back to Georgia though, I played little league baseball with a guy named Preston Riddlehuber. He was so much bigger than most of us we called him Frankenstein among other names.
In little league he could almost hit the ball over two fences. He had to be around 6-0, 165 pounds. He looked like Sandy Koufax on a little league mound. When he lost he would always cry. We started calling him teardrops Riddlehuber.
Playing sandlot he pretty much used the rest of us as tackling dummies.
I picked up the paper one day and lo and behold noticed that he would be starting as for Dooly’s numer one ranked dogs. He went on to play running back for the falcons and in one stretch was O. J. Simpson’s backup. He had moved to Gainesville, Georgia however and was a trade name around there along with Billy Lothridge who played for Georgia Tech.
He owns a coca cola distributorship there now and pretty much avoids the limelight.
I was at the game when FSU met UGA when Dooley’s dogs came in rated number one in the nation with the number one SEC running back Jack Taylor. FSU went on to win. They broke Taylor’s leg on a sandwich play which incluced Gene McDowell the former UCF coach.
A huge fight broke out in the endzone stands and the series was cancelled after that for safety reasons.
Gene McDowell used to walk through the FSU cafeteria in tanks tops and looked a bit like an old version of Arnold Schwartzenner.
Anyway that is enough for now from the geriatric crew.
by DocHoliday2 on May 23, 2009 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Since you are finding some humor here
Doc Holiday was a dentist from Griffin, Georgia who went west to Arizona due to TB concerns as the air was drier to fight crime.
I have always found some humor here as I too am from Griffin, Georgia and I was first assigned to the Yuma, Arizona sector with the U. S. Border patrol back in the stone age.
When I retired the boys gave me a plaque that mentioned the old gun hand is a bit slower now days. He is no longer known as “Kid Yuma.”
I have never played this hand with you before but have noticed you are on course to put them back on the street where as my primary function was to take them off.
Some others...
Marion Butts (Sylvester, GA Worth County)
Dexter Carter (Baxter, GA Appling County)
Lewis Tyre (Baxter, GA Appling County)
Todd Fordham (Tifton, GA Tift County)
Demetro Stephens (Sandersville, Washington County) (Really Middle GA)
Larry Smith (Folkston, GA Charlton County)
Alonzo Jackson (Americus, GA Sumter County)
Nate Hardage (Sylvester, GA Worth County)
Willie Reid (Warner Robbins, GA Houston County)
Justin Mincey (Folkston, GA Charlton County)
Kevin McNeil (Kingston, GA Camden County)
Talent Centers in S. Georgia (in no particular order)
1. Lowndes County
2. Thomas County
3. Grady County
4. Muscogee County
5. Charlton/Camden County
6. Peach/Houston/Bibb County
There is clearly some talent there
oh, and this is quite devious, but… there is almost NO monitoring of what kind of help players receive at JUCO’s. If we were to do a sign and place of a JUCO at a JUCO near you, you could tutor this kid for 15 hours a day, etc, and nobody would ever know. Obviously, that’s a stretch, but a coordinated effort of interested, semi-intelligent people could really help these kids.
lol ethics schmethics
Education is education… I’ll look the other way
by NorthernHaze on May 23, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Could you possibly have a kid not play football at a JuCo?
Would he then have 4 years to play 4? If so, we could ‘tutor’ these kids 15 hours a day. It’s a win-win. Kids get an education (or a start), and FSU gets a mature freshman.
It would have to be really, really sneaky, though. We could pull it off.
No,
once a kid enters a 2 or 4 year college – regardless of whether or not they play – their clock starts. Best case would be that they are able to enroll in say Jan (let’s use 2009 as a reference point) and then they finish their AA in 1.5 years so that they can enroll at FSU in Sept 2010 and have 4 to play 4. Mind you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard of that happening. Closest was Shockey at Miami when he had 4 to play 3 (if I remember correctly) – also a Sept enrollee (or Fall I should say).
It hink its great that we are getting back to the root
yes SoFl is great for speed but them GA boys have some size to them too. They cook dif up in GA than SoFl. something about cornbread, gumbo and sweet sweet tea (not like MC E D’s more like koolade).
About Telvin Smith what kinda size is this guy. WE need more size.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
Desman
I have a theory. Poor people in America at times had to at times be resllient. In this situation collards are an amazing source of iron and nutrients. It is the food source that the wealthy felt was beneath their dignity to their chagrin.
In the past the less fortunate were forced to grow their own food for sustenance, black and white people in the south.
In the face of some pretty severe economic times it will surely make a comeback. Get some seeds now to counter Monsanto.
Yeah I know sometimes I deviate!
Best Ron Simmons memory
Was the first time I saw him play. In fact, his first game as a Nole — 1977 against So. Miss in Hattiesburg as a true frosh. Early in the game, their QB takes a snap and moves down the LOS in some sort of option play. Simmons zipped past blockers, ran him down, caught the guy from behind and ‘Slam’. We had lousy seats down low, so I swear I saw a surprised — make that shocked — look on the QBs face. Anybody who saw it knew this kid was gonna be a difference-maker.
And then there was this (memory aided by game account from nolefan.org): “With the Garnet and Gold trailing 3-0, freshman noseguard Ron Simmons, playing his first collegiate game, blocked a Golden Eagle punt that was picked up by end Scott Warren and carried two yards for six points.”
Great Talent in South Ga
In 1980 FSU recruited lowndes countys scoring Backfield. There was Cedric Jones,Steve Player Eric Thomas.
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