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83 days to FSU football: The top 'Noles to wear the No. 83 uniform

A look at the greatest former 'Noles to wear No. 83 during their playing days.

Florida State Program

With 83 days left until Florida State battles Ole Miss to begin the season in Orlando, we take a look at the greatest 'Noles to wear No. 83.

Ron Wallace, defensive end who wore No. 83 in 1968 and 1969, still holds many records in Florida State history including most fumbles recovered in a game (3), a season (6), and a career (8). The Georgia native was named to the First Team All-South Independent following the 1969 season, and as a result of his success at FSU, was named to the Macon Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Linebacker Bert Cooper wore No. 83 his first two years on campus during the 1971 and 1972 seasons. In 1974, just as Wallace had, Cooper was selected to the First Team All-South Independent, his final year on campus. After spending both his high school and college years in Tallahassee, the New York Jets selected him in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL draft. The Floridian would end up staying in state, playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his only NFL season.

Recently, linebacker Lawrence Timmons donned the No. 83 from 2004-2006. He would be named an AP All-ACC honorable mention following his final season in 2006 and got drafted not too far after in the first round, 15th overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007. He currently still plays in the black and yellow, winning a Super Bowl in 2009 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014.

A third linebacker, Ron Hester, was drafted in 1982 by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round after representing No. 83 at FSU during the 1978-1981 seasons. The players to get drafted on the offense while wearing No. 83 were both tight ends. Bill Dawson was the first in 1964, his fourth and final year with No. 84, when he was taken by the Los Angeles Rams in the 12th round. A few years later, Thurston Taylor  would take over the number from 1965-1967, was also drafted in the 12th round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Some other 'Noles to wear the No. 83 uniform were:

  • Bob Fountain (1956, 1958)
  • Jim Elk (1957)
  • Gene Schlikman (1957)
  • Don Sellers (1959)
  • Dan Eubanks (1960)
  • Mark Riggs (1961)
  • Ricky Blythe (1972)
  • Detroit Reynolds (1973-1976)
  • William Keck (1977)
  • Stanley Scott (1983-1985)
  • Dave Roberts (1986-1990)
  • John Donaldson (1990-1991)
  • Kamari Charlton (1992-1996)
  • Stacy Davis (1997-1998)
  • Devard Darling (2000-2001)
  • Chris Hall (2002)
  • Robert Hallback (2003)
  • Joslin Shew (2003)
  • Bert Reed (2008-2011)
  • Christo Kourtzidis (2012)
  • Dan O'Neil (2013-2014)

Don't forget to vote for who you think was the greatest to wear the No. 83 in Florida State history.