Jimbo Fisher has some tips for arriving members of the 2008 recruiting class.
“Don’t put pressure on yourself,”
Fisher said. “Do what you are capable of doing. Don’t try to do too much. Get used to your environment."
“Be consistent, accountable and dependable for what you want to do. Develop a good reputation right off the bat when you get here -- academically and workout-wise. And get along with the guys and fit in.”
If they do all of that, the newest Seminoles will do just fine, in the opinion of FSU’s offensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting.
This is a class that Fisher, head coach Bobby Bowden and the other assistants are counting on to contribute immediately while building for possible championship runs.
Fisher said that once the newcomers show that can do things right, their natural ability will help them find the way to playing time.
Fisher said he has been pleased with the group’s academic progress prior to arriving. Three signees – Thomas County (Ga.) Central's Debrale Smiley and Anthony McCloud and Madison County’s Travis Arnold – must first go the junior college route before entering FSU down the road. But Fisher is optimistic about the others.
“We have some guys finishing up classes in the summer but I’m predicting everyone will be here,”
Fisher said.
Those newcomers in Tallahassee by this weekend must balance Fisher’s suggestion to avoid piling on pressure yet be ready when two-a-days begin in August.
Linebacker Dekoda Watson will be among the veterans expected to guide the freshmen. Three junior college transfers are also part of the 2008 recruiting class.
“It’s a lot of wear on their shoulders coming in as freshmen hearing: ‘I need you to play right now’ and then being given a playbook as big as a dickens,”
Watson said. “It’s a lot of pressure. It’s kind of contradictory statements -- calm down but be ready."
“But they are going to be all right. They will be able to do it.”
Watson bases that prediction in part on what he’s seen from fellow linebacker Nigel Carr, who arrived early and has already embraced the summer workout program, according to Watson.
Quarterback E.J. Manuel, who has been on campus a week, is confident in this group of newcomers.
“I think we’re going to be really strong compared to a lot of other freshman classes coming in at other schools,”
Manuel said. “I think you have everything you need – especially on the defensive side of the ball."
“As for the offensive side we have some great receivers coming in and then we’ve got a good, decent ‘O’ line coming in as well. Hopefully I can do my thing as far as quarterback and make things better in the quarterback position.”
