This week the Scout.com player spotlight is on Timmy Jernigan. His Scout.com profile is linked there.

Let's just say it: Timmy Jernigan is just special. He's one of FSU's best defensive linemen as a true freshman. And that makes him one of the best in the conference, as a true freshman. 

Here's Jernigan's bio from FSU:

Powerful and extremely quick off the ball, was a disruptive force in opposing backfields as evidenced by his 14 sacks as a senior...five-star defensive lineman, who was ranked No. 4 at defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com...listed as a four-star prospect ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle by Rivals.com...ranked No. 29 in the Final Rivals 100...recorded 77 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and one interception and also ran for four touchdowns on offense as a senior in 2010...2011 U.S. Army All-American...All-USA First-Team defense by USA Today...rated a four-star prospect, No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 17 overall player on the ESPNU 150...No. 6 on the Gainesville Sun's Florida Top 50 Seniors...named to the 2010 All-First Coast First Team Defense by the Florida Times-Union...member of the Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 1 defensive tackle...No. 8 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 and No. 35 on the SuperPrep Elite 50...No. 5 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel...No. 9 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120...No. 41 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com 2011 Top 100...registered 131 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries and was a 3A All-State selection as a junior and a sophomore...selected the Seminoles over LSU, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.

According to long-time observers of the program, Jernigan is the best freshman defensive lineman at Florida State since Ron Simmons in 1977, if not before. 

According to Rob Hodges, 24% of Jernigan's tackles have gone for a loss. That's a tremendous percentage.  Perhaps more surprising, Jernigan doesn't seem to be slowing down.  Many freshmen hit a wall around mid-season, but Jernigan turned in perhaps his finest performance of the year last week against N.C. State. His quick-twitch explosiveness is so rare. He hasn't had the chance to play in cold weather as of yet, but tomorrow night could be his coming out party on national television. 

Go to the Scout.com forums to continue discussing Timmy Jernigan.