A PERFECT 10: The Seminoles return 10 defensive starters from last season. The lone exception? DE Alonzo Jackson, a second-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's more starters - on either side of the ball - than FSU has returned during any year of its wildly successful era that began in 1987. FSU returned nine offensive starters in 1993 and nine defensive starters in 1999. Each time, it won the national title.
PAST MEETS PRESENT (AND FUTURE): Former WR Ron Sellers graciously has allowed his number, 34, to be brought out of retirement so highly touted freshman linebacker Ernie Sims can wear it. Said Bobby Bowden: "I can see why he's one of the best (prospects). I have visions of Derrick Brooks, (but) 20 pounds bigger. He looks like the real deal." Sims said he's in no hurry to rush onto the field. The LB position is loaded, too. Said Sims: "I'm trying to learn the system. Young players want to get on the field, but they really don't know the system." Look for him on special teams at the least.
COACHING CHANGE: Linebackers coach Kevin Steele had only been on the job a matter of days and already impacted the program. He made such an impression on Sims that the prep All-American decided to stay at home and sign with FSU. Steele's fingerprints didn't stop there. The former head coach at Baylor who was an assistant at Tennessee, Nebraska and the Carolina Panthers has inspired the players he inherited. Said senior LB Kendyll Pope: "It's exciting to be out there with coach Steele because he's coached at the NFL level and the college level. He brings a lot to the table. ... We're going to be more aggressive."
WELCOME BACK: WR Chris Davis, the former St. Petersburg Catholic standout, is back after sustaining a season-ending knee injury last summer. Bowden likened Davis' big-play ability to Peter Warrick's.
TWO-SPORT SUCCESS: WR Craphonso Thorpe is trying to keep up with a number of former Seminoles who tried and succeeded in two sports. But when you run as fast as he does, keeping pace is nothing new. Thorpe won the 100- and 200-meter sprints at last year's ACC outdoor track and field championship, earning the most valuable player award. In case you're wondering about his football speed, he has run a 4.31 40-yard dash.
POLL WATCHING: The Seminoles are 13th in the preseason AP poll, their lowest starting point since the 1986 season, when they began No. 11. They finished 7-4-1 that season and unranked.
NUMBERS GAMES: You're apt to be confused if you don't study the new roster. Several notable players have changed their jersey numbers since the Sugar Bowl. WR Dominic Robinson is now 21 (instead of 83), WR P.K. Sam is 4 (not 81), TB Leon Washington is 3 (not 33) and FB Torrance Washington is 20 (not 43).
SIZE MATTERS: Thanks to some construction in the north end zone, the seating capacity of Doak Campbell Stadium has increased slightly (300) to 82,300. It's now the nation's 11th largest stadium.
