22 days to FSU football: The battle of the Smiths for top ‘Nole No. 22

The first name that comes to mind when you read that headline is probably Seminole linebacker Telvin Smith. And considering that we saw him win a national championship at Florida State not long ago, that makes sense. But it doesn’t make Telvin the first Smith detailed in today’s installment of the countdown.

That honor belongs to early 70s FSU receiver Barry Smith. If you were not already familiar with Smith, his ‘72 campaign was one to know— and remember. His 13 scoring grabs in 1972 are tied for the third most in a Seminole season, his 1,243 receiving yards are fourth, his 6.27 receptions per game are sixth, and his 69 catches that year are eighth. Smith was highly decorated for his production; the American Football Coaches Association, All-American Competitor, and Churchman’s named him a first-team All-American, the AP, UPI, and Universal Sports considered him a second-teamer, while Football News and Gridiron awarded him third-team honors. Smith was also a first-team All-South Independent choice. Smith’s career marks have held up incredibly well among FSU pass catchers: 25 touchdowns catches (fifth), 11 100+ yard receiving games (fifth), 2,392 yards (seventh), 3.7 grabs per game (ninth), and 119 receptions (17th). Smith was a first-round selection of the Green Bay Packers in 1973.

Now to Telvin: his 79-yard interception return for a TD against Idaho in 2013 is the 17th longest in ‘Nole history, and his 29 career tackles for loss are 18th all-time at Florida State. Smith was an SI.com Honorable Mention All-American in 2013, and he garnered second-team All-ACC honors. Smith was a great value pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

But how about some love for a fullback? They don’t often get the carries that equate to numerous record-book appearances, but Edgar Bennett’s name still finds its way onto multiple all-conference teams. To wit: Bennett secured second-team All-South Independent honors in both 1990 and 1991 ahead of being a Packers’ fourth-round draftee in 1992. He’d help Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory in 1997.

Back to the defensive side of the ball, and free safety Pat Watkins. Watkins’ 10 career picks have him tied for 15th in FSU interceptions, and he was an Honorable Mention All-ACC performer in both 2004 and 2005.

The other Seminole 22s:

• George Morgan (1948)
• John Quinn (1949)
• Carl Grenn (1954)
• Buck Metts (1955-1956)
• Bobby Carnes (1957)
• Lenny Levy (1958)
• Jim Redfern (1959)
• Ken Russom (1960-1962)
• Larry Brinkley (1961)
• Maury Bibent (1963-1965)
• Chuck Eason (1966-1968)
• Doug Mitchell (1969)
• Bobby McKinnon (1972-1975)
• Mike Barnes (1976-1977)
• Homes Johnson (1978)
• Hardis Johnson (1979-1980)
• Phil Hall (1982-1984)
• Keith Ross (1985)
• Curtis Thomas (1985-1987)
• Corian Freeman (1986)
• Marquette Smith (1992-1993)
• Pooh Bear Williams (1994-1996)
• Davy Ford (1997-2001)
• Jared Hetzel (2001)
• Ryan Reynolds (2002)
• Anthony Bredwood (2002)
• Marlon Napier (2003)
• Korey Mangum (2006-2009)
• Taiwan Easterling (2007)
• Ridge Read (2012)
• Johnathan Vickers (2014)
• Tyrell Lyons (2014-2015)
• Amir Rasul (present)

Click on your favorite double-deuce below: