Craphonso Thorpe waited his turn before busting out and becoming a star at Florida State. After playing a secondary role in 2001 and 2002 (32 combined catches), this season he was FSU's top receiver.
Sounds like a routine success story, but there are more layers to Thorpe's rise. It wasn't merely a case of a blue-chip recruit biding his time before assuming his rightful place in the limelight. Sure, Thorpe had blazing speed and wads of prep accolades, but he also had his flaws.
In a nutshell, he needed to get bigger, stronger and better. So he did.
The refinished product has been sensational. Thorpe, a junior, led FSU with 51 catches for 995 yards, 19.5 yards per catch and 11 touchdowns to earn the state of Florida college offensive player of the year honors from the St. Petersburg Times.
Upon his arrival at FSU in the fall of 2001, Thorpe carried barely 170 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame. He has packed on about 15 pounds of muscle.
He also needed to refine his technique: his route-running, catching, adjustments to the ball, etc. Through hard work he has developed the total package of skills. Just ask Notre Dame. Thorpe torched the Fighting Irish for 7 catches for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns in FSU's 37-0 win in South Bend.
Sadly, Thorpe's season ended Nov. 15 when he broke two bones in his leg during the 50-44 double overtime win vs. N.C. State, denying him the chance to become FSU's eighth 1,000-yard receiver.
