Florida State players and coaches were together at a Gator Bowl welcome dinner on Saturday night when word began to circulate through the room that Florida coach Urban Meyer was resigning. Meyer later recanted and said on Sunday that he'd only be taking an indefinite leave of absence but his initial announcement created a palpable buzz – literally, with cell phones vibrating – among the Seminoles. "We were kind of shocked," FSU QB EJ Manuel said on Sunday. "Very shocked. Like the rest of the world was. That's all I can really say, we were just surprised." FSU practiced and players and coaches greeted reporters on Sunday before Meyer's reversal later in the day. Still, James Coley, the FSU tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator, said Meyer's departure would have a definite affect on recruiting. An NCAA-mandated "dead period" is in effect until Jan. 8, after which college coaches can once again begin recruiting. QUICK HITS -Senior WR Richard Goodman, who missed the Seminoles' last four games with a groin injury, said he is about "85 percent" healthy but that doctors won't clear him to play in the Gator Bowl unless he's 100 percent. Goodman was having the best season of his career, with 27 catches and 355 receiving yards. -Chuck Amato is one of three FSU assistants who won't be retained on Jimbo Fisher's future staff but Amato, the former N.C. State head coach, said he has no plans to stop coaching. He said he plans to continue coaching after his final game at FSU, where he has spent 21 years of his career as an assistant.