Oct 15, 2011; Durham, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Greg Dent (15) runs after pulling down a pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Greg Dent has been arrested on allegations of sexual assault. According to WarChant.com, Dent was booked in Leon County Jail on Sunday night and he is being held without bond. Dent has allegedly violated Florida Statute 794.011-5, which is a second degree felony.

The statute reads:

“A person who commits sexual battery upon a person 12 years of age or older, without that person’s consent, and in the process thereof does not use physical force and violence likely to cause serious personal injury commits a felony of the second degree.”

While Dent is facing felony charges, the redshirt senior will be ineligible to play because of rules set by the university for student-athletes. 

Right now, playing football is not anything that he should be worried about. He needs to focus on resolving his legal issues as the legal process plays out to determine whether he is innocent or guilty.

Dent is being arraigned this morning, where bond will be set.

Sept 22, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) warms up before the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston comes in to this season with a lot of hype after being the top quarterback recruit in the 2012 class, and the redshirt freshman is ready to take the college football world by storm. He is already in the early Heisman talks and many believe that he could be a future No. 1 overall pick, but now former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is piling on to the expectations with his latest comments.

When Bowden was speaking of Winston’s potential, he made it clear that he thinks the young signal-caller could be destined for greatness. In fact, Bowden compared Winston to a certain former Heisman winner and NFL quarterback — Robert Griffin III.

“This kid has got some talent,” Bowden told Warchant.com. “Reminds me of RG3. (Winston) doesn’t remind me of the kid at Texas A&M (Johnny Manziel), he reminds me of RG3.

“(Winston is) built like (Griffin), moves like him, got a great arm. I’ve watched him as much as I could in film, on television.”

Despite all of the hype, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has not officially named a starting quarterback for the team, but everyone fully anticipates Winston will be the man leading the Seminoles offense.

If he can produce nearly as much as the expectations suggest he could, we have a future college football star on our hands.

Feb 6, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Booker T. Washington offense linebacker Matthew Thomas said he will attended Florida State on National Signing Day at Booker T. Washington Senior High. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

In one of the more interesting stories of this year’s college football recruiting cycle, Florida State commit LB Matthew Thomas has reportedly asked for a release from his letter of intent before ever playing a down in Tallahassee.

Florida State (and head coach Jimbo Fisher) can’t possibly be happy about this news, as he was one of the gems of their recruiting class. Thomas, who was ranked in the top 10 nationally by multiple recruit sites, was quoted in the Miami Herald by saying that he “just didn’t make the decision I really wanted to on Signing Day”.

He went on to declare that Georgia and USC would be his main targets should Florida State allow him to break his previously signed commitment. It would be shocking to see FSU hold his feet to the fire over the declaration, as Thomas seems to be a confused young man who made a rash choice, but it’ll be interesting to follow the tact that the coaching staff and university take in this spot.

A recruit asking out of his commitment is not an unprecedented move, but with a top-10 recruit (and the consensus top outside linebacker recruit in the country) opting out in a situation with a top-flight university like Florida State, the headlines are immense. Matthew Thomas may turn out to be an absolute stud at the college level, but it doesn’t appear that it will take place in Tallahassee, and Seminole supporters can’t be pleased.

April 13, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during the second half of the Florida State spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida State Seminoles quarterback picture appeared to be clearer once Clint Trickett decided to transfer from Florida State. That appeared to all but pave the way for former four-star recruit Jameis Winston to take over as the team’s starting quarterback. Of course, FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher doesn’t want anyone jumping to conclusions.

While conventional wisdom says that Winston will be the team’s starter in 2013, Fisher claims that Winston, Jacob Coker and Sean Maguire all will have a fair shot to be E.J. Manuel’s successor.

“We’ve got three good quarterbacks, and we’ll continue to grow and see where that progresses down the road,” Fisher said, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.. “We’ve still got three very talented quarterbacks.”

It is nice for Fisher to claim this is an  open competition, but realistically we all know how this will turn out.

The Seminoles open their season at Pittsburgh on Labor Day, and it would be a total shock if Winston is not the signal-caller under center as Florida State runs on to Heinz Field.

April 13, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Clint Trickett (9) during the first half of the spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Clint Trickett has chosen to transfer from Florida State after five-star recruit Jameis Winston turned heads at the Seminole’s spring game. Trickett was the back-up to E.J. Manuel, who’s off to the NFL. 

Trickett was the most experienced in the quarterback group returning to Florida State, but he wasn’t the most talented. Winston showed more potential, and has now taken hold of the starting position after Trickett has transferred.

There is a good news for Trickett. He graduates in May and can transfer to play with an FBS program immediately. F

lorida State wasn’t the right place for Trickett, but I fully expect him to start at another school. Teams with an uncertain future at quarterback might give Trickett a chance based on his experience. Watch out for Arkansas.

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has officially announced the list of 23 players who will be attending the 2013 NFL Draft live, when the event kicks off on April 25th. The list is headlined by top prospects Luke Joeckel, Dion Jordan, Sharrif Floyd, Dee Milliner and Geno Smith.

Alabama and Florida State top the list with four draft prospects a piece.

Here is the complete list of players that will attend the draft live at Radio City Music Hall in New York:

You can read the complete press release here.

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view as draft prospects pose for a group photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Every year a number of players are invited to attend the NFL Draft live and in person so that they are provided the opportunity to soak in their big moment and walk across the stage as they shake hands with the NFL commissioner and sport the cap of their new team.

Who will get the honor of beginning their NFL career with a big moment in front of a number of fans and being welcomed to the league by the commissioner?

Here is the current list of players set to attend the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall:

• Barkevious Mingo, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, LSU
• Bjoern Werner, Defensive End, Florida State
• Chance Warmack, Guard, Alabama
• Cordarrelle Patterson, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
• Dee Milliner, Cornerback, Alabama
• DJ Fluker, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
• EJ Manuel, Quarterback, Florida State
• Eric Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
• Ezekial Ansah, Defensive End, BYU
• Geno Smith, Quarterback, West Virginia
• Jonathan Cooper, Guard, North Carolina
• Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas
• Lane Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
• Luke Joeckel, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
• Margus Hunt, Defensive End, SMU
• Menelik Watson, Offensive Tackle, Florida State
• Sharrif Floyd, Defensive Tackle, Florida
• Tavon Austin, Wide Receiver, West Virginia
• Xavier Rhodes, Cornerback, Florida State

Are there any players who deserve to be on the list that were left out? Of course, it’s important to remember that a number of players turn down invitations in order to experience their big day out of the media’s eye and with their families and that a few prospects could still be added to this list.

The 2013 NFL Draft begins on April 25.

Jan.1, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel (3) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the 2013 Orange Bowl game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State Seminoles signal-caller E.J. Manuel is widely believed to be a third-round prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft, but the buzz among NFL scouts is much greater for the former Florida State star.

According to reports from ESPN’s Todd McShay during an appearance on the Scott Van Pelt & Ryen Russillo show, Manuel has ”a lot of potential” and “a lot of physical tools”, but the problem is he is “good for a couple of big blunders a game.”

On of the big reasons that Manuel is highly thought of in the scouting community is his ability to run the read-option.

No one was a better ambassador for the read-option in the NFL than San Francisco 49ers sensation Colin Kaepernick just a season ago. His versatility and ability to fire a rocket or pull down the ball and run made him a weapon that was hard to defend.

Manuel provides that same threat.

It seems like a bit of a stretch that Manuel could go in the top half of round one, but it appears that the talk indicates it could be possible. Of course, this is the season of smokescreens, so take everything you hear with a grain of salt.

Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver coach Mike Groh talks with quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama beat Michigan 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is not only building an incredible college football program that sends players to the NFL, but his coaching staff has also used the opportunity to bolt for jobs at the next level. The latest Alabama assistant to head to the big leagues is wide receivers coach Mike Groh, who has decided to take the same job with the Chicago Bears.

The news was first reported by BamaOnline.com.

While Groh is out the door in Tuscaloosa, it didn’t take long for Saban to lure a replacement to fill the void on the coaching staff of one of college football’s budding dynasties.

Saban has brought Florida State Seminoles tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Billy Napier to Alabama to take over the vacancy left by Groh. Napier was only with the Seminoles for one month before deciding to quit the program.

Prior to his time at Florida State, Napier was was assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach with the Colorado State Rams. It’s safe to say that he has quickly worked his way up the coaching ladder. Napier was also the Clemson Tigers offensive coordinator for the 2009-10 season.

Saban has yet to confirm any changes to his staff, but an official announcement is expected soon.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Bryant is a standout for Atlantic and has been racking up big numbers for a few years now. A solid sack-artist and an overall disruptive playmaker on the interior of the defensive line, Bryant is rated as one of the top 200 prospects in the country and is arguably one of the best 15 recruits at the defensive tackle position in the 2013 recruiting class. There is little doubt, however, that he is an extremely talented player and more than deserves all four stars. According to most recruiting publications, Bryant is one of the top 30 players in the ridiculously talent-rich state of Florida.

Florida State, Miami, South Carolina, and even Florida Atlantic got official visits from the former Miami standout. A source stated that Bryant was a near-lock for FSU and a huge longshot for the U, and that source has now been proven correct with the four-star DTs announcement.

Bryant is 6’2″, 302 pounds and is the 21st commit in what is easily one of the top ten recruiting classes assembled in 2013 by Jimbo Fisher and the rest of the staff down in Tallahassee. And to think, the Noles 2014 class is probably going to be even better.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Sept 15, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The second-ranked linebacker in the nation according to Rivals.com, Matthew Thomas, was the latest top defender to announce his decision on National Signing Day. After a long decision, Thomas decided to stay in his home state and attend Florida State University.

Thomas, at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds is the third-ranked player in the state of Florida, per Rivals. He is a major get for the Seminoles and one that they had hoped to land.

The five-star recruit out of Booker T. Washington High School in Miami has great closing speed and ball skills for a linebacker, paired with incredible awareness and a nose for the ball. It is a dangerous combination of natural skill that could set Thomas up for stardom if he can continue to develop and grow.

Thomas was considering offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and USC, but ultimate chose the Seminoles.

Stay tuned to FanSided.com for the latest college football recruiting news and be sure to visit us on National Signing Day for up to date signing announcements on the nation’s top recruits.

Dec 29, 2011; Orlando, FL, USA; Helmets of the Florida State Seminoles sit on the grass before the start of the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Just under twelve hours before National Signing Day kicks off, the Florida State Seminoles appear to be adding a big time recruit to their 2013 class. Reports are indicating that four-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to announce tomorrow that he will be attending Florida State.

[RELATED: Schedule of National Signing Day Announcement Times]

The Brentwood Academy standout has a scheduled press conference tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. ET at his high school. According to Rivals.com, Ramsey is the tenth best player in the 2013 recruiting class and the third-ranked cornerback.

Ramsey originally committed to the USC Trojans last July.

At  6-foot, 190-pounds, Ramsey has the size to mature into a big, physical corner. During his senior year, the Seminole bound defensive back had 49 total tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Stay tuned to FanSided.com for the latest college football recruiting news and be sure to visit us on National Signing Day for up to date signing announcements on the nation’s top recruits.

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad quarterback E.J. Manuel of Florida State (3) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The South squad defeated the North squad 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State quarterback and 2013 Senior Bowl MVP E.J. Manuel spoke with the NFL Network at EA Sports’ Madden party. Manuel was asked where he wanted to play at the next level and after giving the canned “whoever drafts me” response, Manuel specifically pointed out two teams in the league.

First, Manuel singled out the Philaelphia Eagles because of new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense.

Manuel could excel in Kelly’s system with his versatile skillset and he will likely receive some strong consideration from the Eagles in April.

As for the other team Manuel mentioned, it was the Kansas City Chiefs, who hold the first-overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The reason for Manuel adding the Chiefs into the conversation is because of head coach Andy Reid’s history of developing quarterbacks. If Manuel wants to be successful at the next level, he will need a good mentor and he feels that Reid could be that man.

Manuel has been a fast riser early in the draft season thanks to his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

In a quarterback class with no elite prospect, scouts were waiting to see a quarterback make a move and separate himself from the rest of the group. In Mobile, nearly all of the quarterbacks had lackluster weeks and games, but Manuel took advantage of his opportunity and ended up making some money in the process.

While Manuel may like to play for Philadelphia or Kansas City, he will not have the final say. Any team that is looking for a dynamic young signal-caller could take a serious look at Manuel. If he continues to garner this much interest, Manuel could be off the boards much earlier than anticipated in April’s draft.

Jan 23, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad quarterback Tyler Wilson of Arkansas (8) looks to pass under pressure from Senior Bowl south squad defensive lineman Ezekial Ansah of Brigham Young (47) rolling off a block from Senior Bowl south squad offensive lineman Oday Aboushi of Virginia (72) during the Senior Bowl south squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Senior Bowl week is over after the South squad’s 21-16 victory over the North team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. With the dust settling, it is time to quickly react to what we saw in today’s game and examine which players have helped or hurt their draft stock.

Let’s take a look at some of the top players that are seeing their draft status on the rise following their performance at the Senior Bowl.

5. EJ Manuel, quarterback, Florida State

None of the quarterbacks in the Senior Bowl were able to set themselves apart from the rest of the group, but Manuel did look the most impressive of the bunch. He won’t be a high pick, but he showed flashes of brilliance and athletic ability that will intrigue NFL teams. One interesting team to watch when it comes to Manuel is the Philadelphia Eagles with new head coach Chip Kelly.

4. Quinton Patton, wide receiver, Louisiana Tech

Patton impressed scouts all week, not just during the game. In the game, however, he was a standout with his effort on every snap. Despite being a starting wide receiver, Patton was involved in punt coverage and he continued to put everything into every rep. It is that type of hard work that will make Patton attractive for teams. He is willing to give his all in any way necessary to help the team to victory.

3. Kawann Short, defensive tackle, Purdue

Short is a lot like Jerel Worthy, who was drafted just a year ago. Short was a star along the defensive front and showed a quick burst off the line of scrimmage. When Short beats you off the snap, there is no recovering. He can be a terror in the middle of an NFL defensive line.

2. Robert Alford, cornerback, Southeastern Louisiana 

Alford’s name was not on the radar coming in to the game, but he was able to make a big impact throughout the week. Alford was dominant on special teams and defense, so it’s safe to say he made himself a lot of money. Alford started the game off with a 90-yard kickoff return and never stopped. He was quick to make plays on the ball and showed great awareness locating the throws. Being a small school prospect won’t scare teams away.

1. Ezekiel Ansah, defensive end, BYU

There was no one more dominating on Saturday afternoon in Mobile than Ezekiel Ansah. The scariest part about Ansah’s game is that he is already so talented, but there is still a lot of room for growth. Ansah is still new to football and will only continue to get better. He is a player in the mold of Jason Pierre-Paul. Entering the week, Ansah was viewed as a first-round prospect likely going in the 20′s, now, Ansah looks like a top fifteen lock and the top ten is not out of the question.

Who were some of the other big winners in Mobile this week? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

September 29, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) is congratulated by offensive linesman Menelik Watson (71) after they scored a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Another offensive lineman will forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. Warchant.com is reporting that Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Menelik Watson will make the leap to the pros. Watson joins teammates Bjoern Werner and Xavier Rhodes as early entrees in 2013 draft class.

Watson had a short stint at Saddleback Junior College (Calif.) before joining the Florida State program.

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Watson has only played in 20 games at the college level, so he has plenty of room to grow. He will be worth a look for teams considering a developmental tackle in the mid to late rounds.

You can stay up to date with the latest underclassmen declarations with our 2013 NFL Draft Underclassmen Declarations Tracker.

Dec 1, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA Florida State Seminoles defensive back Xavier Rhodes (27) lines up during the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2012 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. FSU defeated Georgia Tech 21-15. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida State Seminoles put together an impressive season that ended on Tuesday night after a match up in the 2013 Orange Bowl against the Northern Illinois Huskies. Florida State ended their season with a dominating win in the game.

Following the final whistle, yet another Seminoles defensive star announced his plans to forgo his final year of eligibility to head to the NFL.

Defensive back Xavier Rhodes announced his plans to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.

“I’m excited,” Rhodes said following the Orange Bowl, per the Tallahassee Democrat. “After last year I was thinking about it. And then I stayed healthy this season. I wanted to basically focus on this season and not really worry about it (the NFL). I wanted to get my team here. That’s what I did.”

Rhodes is a fringe first-round prospect and has a real chance to hear his name called in the first thirty two picks.

This season, Rhodes was named a First-Team All-ACC defensive back after leading Florida State in interceptions and passes defensed. He is an experienced three-year starter and will attract the attention of NFL scouts and personnel members.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys and Indians are meeting in Texas to kick off the 2014 college football season. In press releases from both universities, Florida State and Oklahoma State have confirmed rumors that they will be facing off in the “Cowboys Classic” on August 30, 2014. As has been the case with past Classics, the Seminoles and Cowboys will be squaring off at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“We are pleased to be playing Oklahoma State and with the exposure the game will provide our program and our university,” said FSU athletic director Randy Spetman. “I know that our fans will be excited about visiting Texas Stadium and the Dallas area. It is a football venue that is second to none.”

This season the Alabama Crimson Tide bested the Michigan Wolverines, and the first ever Cowboys Classic the year prior saw BYU overcome Oklahoma. It has been announced that LSU and TCU will play each other in next year’s installment.

When Florida State and Oklahoma State meet in 2014, the game will serve as the season opener for both schools.

“The announcement of this game is timely for Florida State in that we have in the past few weeks begun a determined effort to regularly schedule high-profile non-conference football opponents,” Spetman continued. “We are in the preliminary stages of exploring both home-and-home and neutral site games with prominent programs in the near future.”

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

After a crazy Saturday in college football that saw the Nebraska Cornhuskers get obliterated by the Wisconsin Badgers, an interesting and bizarre scenario has presented itself and it’s looking like it will play out. With the loss by Nebraska, the opportunity arose for the Northern Illinois Huskies to earn an at-large BCS bowl bid — and all signs are pointing to them securing that.

As we reported last night, the Huskies needed to crack the Top 16 of both human polls in order to get a significant chance at securing a high enough ranking in the BCS. As off the release of the USA Today Coach’s Poll and the AP Top 25, the Huskies were ranked No. 16 in both.

Now ESPN bowl prediction expert Brad Edwards is saying he’s calling the Orange Bowl bid to go to the Huskies, which means the Florida State Seminoles will take on Northern Illinois in the Discover Orange Bowl.

This has a trickle down effect, as Oklahoma is no longer in a BCS bowl. Had the Huskies not cracked the rankings high enough to secure the at-lage bid, the Sooners were on their way to a 2008 National Championship rematch with the Florida Gators in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. However, since Louisville won the Big East, or at least the majority share of it, the Cardinals will head to the Sugar Bowl to take on Florida while the Sooner are subject to falling back on the Alamo Bowl.

The official BCS rankings have not yet been released, and Northern Illinois needs to rank at the very least No. 16 in order to secure the Orange Bowl bid. But at the moment, all signs are pointing to the Huskies securing the bid and pulling off one of the more miraculous seasons a lower ranked college football program has had in some time.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The SEC is the talk of college football and has been for the past week (but what else is new), but one school has been raking in the attention and it’s one not in a title game and one that doesn’t even have a head coach. With Jon Gruden saying no to Tennessee, the search for a new coach continues and Dave Hart may be looking to steal his next coach from a school that already has one.

Jimbo Fisher is currently seeing his coaching staff decimated with the loss of defensive coordinator Mark Stoops heading Kentucky and likely others to follow, the question is will Jimbo stick around in Tallahassee for another year or bolt to another job and another opportunity.

The Big Lead is suggesting that Jimbo hasn’t been as big a success at Florida State has people have lead on, and that a fresh start at Tennessee might see him soar to a new level.

Is it harsh to call Fisher an underachiever? Perhaps. Seasons of 10-4, 9-4 and currently, 10-2 (with two games left) are very strong – until you dive deeper. Fisher’s only been at FSU three years since taking over for Bobby Bowden, but he’s reached two ACC title games and he’s 2-0 so far in bowl games.

Depending on how much you read into preseason polls though, Fisher has been a mild disappointment

There is the immediate question of why would Jimbo leave for Tennessee?

First off there’s a matter of money. Fisher is owed a lot of money from the Seminoles next season, and as was the case with Auburn, if Jimbo is going to leave FSU the checkbook will need to come out hard.

And then there’s the matter of Fisher saying he’s not interested in leaving Florida State. Again, money is always the deciding factor in these discussions and Fisher wouldn’t be the first coach in the history of the world, or college football, to say no but really mean yes.

Perhaps the damning piece of evidence against Jimbo leaving is the fact that he’s in better shape at FSU than he is at Tennessee. If Fisher’s staff is going to be decimated by other schools, he’d be in the same spot he is at FSU that he’s be at over in Tennessee. The perk is Jimbo would be able to assemble his own staff with the Vols, but he doesn’t quite have the pull in his name yet to attract big name guys or to entice married men to divorce their schools.

However, it’s not out of the question and if Dave Hart give Fisher enough in terms of money and power we could see him leave Florida State. But for the time being, it doesn’t look likely that Fisher is going anywhere but Tallahassee.

Nov 24, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Bjoern Werner (95) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Gators defeated the Seminoles 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE

Florida State Seminoles defensive end Bjoern Werner has received the honor of being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Werner led the nation with 13 sacks and was a key member of the nation’s second-ranked defensive unit.

Werner received 27 of the votes to take home the award. Second-place went to fellow Seminoles defensive end Tank Carradine, who earned nine votes.

“It’s an honor, especially for me, I come from Germany I always wanted the opportunity just to play here,” said Werner when he was asked about the award, per Patrik Nohe of the Miami Herald. “And to be considered like one of the top players is just crem de la crem, I just take it like ‘wow thank you.’”

According to Nohe’s research, Werner joins Derrick Brooks (’93), Derrick Alexander (’94), Peter Boulware (’96), Andre Wadsworth (’97) and Darnell Dockett (’03) as members of the Florida State defense to win the honor.

Werner could be gearing up for a run up NFL draft boards if he decides to declare for the 2013 NFL Draft. He is one of the top defensive end prospects in the nation and could hear his name called in the first-round of the upcoming draft if he passes up on his final year of eligiblity.

If Werner returns, it will be bad news for quarterbacks in the ACC next season.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

As with any head coaching search, particularly in the world of college football where every university thinks they can get what they want (see: Arkansas and Les Miles). While Arkansas isn’t trying to pry any SEC coaches away from their teams, they’re looking not too far short of that in the ACC, specifically a few hundred miles west of Baton Rouge in Tallahassee.

According to multiple reports, Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher is one of Auburn’s top targets to replace Gene Chizik, whom they fired on Sunday. While Auburn is batting their eyes at Fisher, he reiterated that he’s a married coach and won’t be cheating or divorcing his current program any time soon.

“I’m very happy right here.” Fisher said. “I’m content to be here, this is where I want to be. We’re building something special. We’ve got great players. We’ve got great players to come and be here. It’s a great place to live, my family is set up in this community, and I plan on being here a long time.”

If Fisher were to renege on his word, he wouldn’t be the first guy to do it. Let’s not forget Nick Saban’s adamant plea that he wasn’t going to coach Alabama and leave the Miami Dolphins in the dust — which was exactly what he proceeded to do.

But Coaching Auburn and coaching Florida State does not equate to leaving a terrible NFL franchise to take over a prominent SEC program. Granted, Auburn is just two years removed from a National Championship, Jimbo and the Seminoles are geared up far better to make a title run a lot sooner. The ACC is considered by many to be a soft conference especially in comparison to the SEC, and the Noles have a heritage when it comes to college football dominance.

Besides, Fisher is in line to get a significant salary bump from the near $3 million he made this year, so if Auburn wants him they’ll have to come hard and large with the checkbook.

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

Florida State has made a name for itself with some stout defense this season, and the man behind that magic is getting rewarded with a head coaching job. Seminoles defensive coordinator Mark Stoops will be heading to Kentucky to fill the coaching void there for the Wildcats.

Joker Phillips was fired some three weeks ago, and since then we’ve had a slew of firings in the NCAA but no hirings to speak of until now. Stoops will join his brother Bob as a head coach, but the road for Kentucky is not going to be an easy one. However, the university believes that if things are going to turn around, Stoops is the guy to do it.

“New beginnings always provide a sense of excitement,” athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement.  “That’s why today I’m excited for Mark Stoops and his family as they provide a new beginning for our football program, fans and players.

Interestingly enough, Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher said yesterday that his defensive coordinator had not interviewed for the head coaching job at Kentucky, and now a day later the job belongs to Stoops. This came on the same day another report surfaced that Stoops had himself told the university to shove their head coaching job.

That obviously has changed.

“I am thrilled to be named the head football coach at the University of Kentucky,” Stoops said.  “My family and I are excited and looking forward to becoming a part of the Big Blue Nation.”

Stoops made sure to thank Jimbo Fisher, a guy that helped him get back on the map and apparently didn’t know of or didn’t want to believe or talk about Stoops leaving Florida State.

“First of all, I want to thank Jimbo Fisher and Florida State University for allowing me to be the defensive coordinator at Florida State.  It has been three of the greatest years of my life.  I am grateful for the support of all Seminole fans as we focus on the ACC Championship.”

The only question now is, can Stoops bring that defensive style north to Kentucky, or was he just getting lucky with recruits down in Tallahassee?

Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE

The Florida State Seminoles are reeling from a loss to the Florida Gators, but the bad news didn’t end with the loss. The Noles will be without leading tackler Tank Carradine, who will miss Florida State’s last two games after suffering an ACL tear. Head coach Jimbo Fisher stated that the injury to Carradine was non-contact.

After starting the season as a backup defensive end, Carradine moved up into the starting role after an injury to Brandon Jenkins. Once in the starting role, Carradine become the one of the country’s best defensive players and was without a doubt the Noles best player on either side of the ball. He led the team in tackles, and is second in sacks and tackles for loss.

Fisher said that Carradine took the news with high spirits, but the injury is still devastating.

“He was mature, he handled it very well,” Fisher said. “Of course (he was) very sad because he wanted to finish the season with his teammate. It’s a very sad moment but he understood and handled it very maturely.”

Worse yet, Carradine’s draft stock rose exponentially during this season, and he’s leaving gobs of money on the table after suffering this injury. Carradine is a senior and will enter this upcoming April’s NFL Draft, but he’s now going to be lucky to be selected on the third day.

As for the more immediate future, the Noles will have to replace Carradine with freshmen Mario Edwards Jr. and Giorgio Newberry when Florida State meets Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game. Fisher and the Noles will also have no choice but to go with the duo of freshmen for whatever bowl game the Noles get into.

July 22, 2012; Greensboro, NC, USA; Flordia State Seminoles defensive end Brandon Jenkins talks to the media during ACC media day at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro NC. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

With the college football season winding down, draft eligible players will be forced to make a tough decision — should we stay or should we go?

One of those players, Florida State Seminoles defensive end Brandon Jenkins, could have entered this year’s NFL draft or taken a medical redshirt and returned to school for a final season. He made his decision on Monday and will be taking his talents to the NFL.

“I had a lot of time to think about things, and gain information about how this injury affected everything, so I think I came to a conclusion,” said Jenkins, via Patrik Nohe of the Miami Herald. “I think it’s time. It’s been great, I love FSU, I bleed garnet and gold, it was a tough decision. I feel like my time’s been good, I will enter the draft.”

Jenkins had already made his decision to go pro and informed Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher of his decision earlier to today.

The move to enter the draft didn’t surprise those close to Jenkins. In fact, Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins said he had the feeling Jenkins was going to make his move for the NFL after a conversation the two had last week.

“I was getting that feeling,” Hopkins said. “I just see where he’s put so much work into it, and I hate to see something like that [the injury] happen. But that being said, there comes a point where you have to see what’s best for you.”

Jenkins adds to the talented 2013 defensive linemen class. Entering the season, he was viewed as a first-round talent but a Lisfranc injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season. He says he expects to be fully healthy leading up to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he does not plan on participating if he is invited.

The big issue with Jenkins will be his medicals. There is no question he has the on-field talent, he will just need to prove to the scouts that he is healthy and ready to make his impact felt at the next level.

October 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Marqise Lee (9) and quarterback Matt Barkley (7) after a touch down play in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is handed out every year in college football to the nation’s most outstanding football player. Outside of the Heisman Trophy, the Camp Award is the most prestigious award a college player can receive.

This week, the Camp Foundation unveiled the semifinalists for the annual award.

“It’s been another exciting college football season with many teams and players still in the hunt for national recognition,” Foundation president John Marks said in a statement. “We’ve identified some outstanding players and we know the final weeks of the regular season should be even more thrilling.”

As you would expect, offensive players dominate the list of semifinalists for the prestigious award. USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley is the only player on this year’s list to have been a finalist the previous season.

Here is the complete list of semifinalists released by the Camp Foundation:

MONTEE BALL, Senior, RB, Wisconsin – Has rushed for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns for 7-3 Badgers.

MATT BARKLEY, Senior, QB, USC – Has passed for 2,972 yards and 33 touchdowns for the 7-3 Trojans.

KENJON BARNER, Senior, RB, Oregon – Has rushed for 1,360 yards and 19 touchdowns for 10-0 Ducks.

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, Sophomore, QB, Louisville – Has passed for 2,858 yards and 21 touchdowns for the 9-1 Cardinals.

TAJH BOYD, Junior, QB, Clemson – Has accounted for 3,304 yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns (28 passing, 5 rushing) for 9-1 Tigers.

COLBY CAMERON, Senior, QB, Louisiana Tech – Has passed for 3,283 yards and 27 touchdowns for 9-1 Bulldogs.

JOHNATHAN FRANKLIN, Senior, RB, UCLA – Has rushed for 1,270 yards and 8 touchdowns for 8-2 Bruins.

JARVIS JONES, Junior, LB, Georgia – Has 56 tackles, 10.5 quarterback sacks, and 5 forced fumbles for 9-1 Bulldogs.

COLLIN KLEIN, Senior, QB, Kansas State – Has accounted for 2,768 yards of total offense and 31 touchdowns (19 rushing, 12 passing) for the 10-0 Wildcats.

MARQISE LEE, Sophomore, WR, USC – Has 98 receptions for 1,447 yards and 13 touchdowns for 7-3 Trojans.

EJ MANUEL, Senior, QB, Florida State – Has passed for 2,641 yards and 19 touchdowns for 9-1 Seminoles.

JOHNNY MANZIEL, Freshman, QB, Texas A&M – Has passed for 2,780 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,014 and 15 scores.

AJ MCCARRON, Senior, QB, Alabama – Has passed for 2,158 yards and 20 touchdowns for 9-1 Crimson Tide.

BRAXTON MILLER, Sophomore, QB, Ohio State – Has 2,919 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns (14 passing, 13 rushing) for 10-0 Buckeyes.

MANTI TE’O, Senior, LB, Notre Dame – Has totaled 92 tackles and six interceptions for the 10-0 Fighting Irish.