College football

FSU standouts torn by NFL lure

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published December 29, 2005

At this time of the football season, underclassmen like Florida State's Ernie Sims and Lorenzo Booker can't help but peek ahead.

They know that if the Seminoles beat No.3-ranked Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Tuesday, they'll give themselves more momentum and confidence to take into the offseason.

Who wouldn't look ahead to that?

Who wouldn't look ahead even further and ask the NFL for an appraisal of his draft prospects? Well, Sims, Booker and Antonio Cromartie are doing just that.

"That's just something that's really good for them to know; how they stand with them," coach Bobby Bowden said recently.

All three likely are to receive similar feedback: You're talented, you have legitimate reasons for less-than-stellar statistics and you ought to return for another collegiate season.

Sims, a speedy outside linebacker known for his ferocious hitting, had 66 tackles. That was down from 86 last season, but he was asked to blitz a lot to help cover a deficiency at defensive end. He also showed better cover skills and had the first two interceptions of his career. Some concerns remain about his size and how he would hold up, often inflicting as much pain to others as himself (concussions).

"It's a tough decision," he said. "I want to stay and I want to leave."

He politely dodged adding any more so as not to "put a lot of stress on me" as he prepares for the Nittany Lions.

Booker is equally dangerous running and catching the ball; Bowden at one point called him his answer to Southern California's Reggie Bush. But splitting time with Leon Washington and then trying to run behind an injury-riddled line translated into just 550 yards. He also had a career-best 35 catches for 260 yards, so he averaged 5.5 yards a touch.

"I feel like I'm a first-round guy," he said. "I'm pretty positive it isn't going to say that because I didn't have the season I wanted to. I just want to see what kind of football player they think I am."

Booker also said he wants to talk with offensive coaches about an increased role next season. He's not complaining about his rushing attempts, but he unabashedly believes the Seminoles might be better than 8-4 if he had touched the ball more.

"If we're 10-1, I wouldn't really say that," he said. "As a competitor, when we lose, I always feel I could have done more."

Cromartie, a preseason Playboy all-America and a dazzling playmaker at cornerback, tore his left ACL in July and has missed the season. He has only started one collegiate game and is on record saying he plans to come back for his redshirt junior year. But what happens if he hears the NFL isn't as concerned about performance as his promise?

"I definitely think they should stay," said Bowden, pointing out that most former FSU players - Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn and Peter Warrick to name a few - who came back for another season enhanced their draft position. "You've got to get better in another year ... but I support them whatever they do."

SEXTON UPDATE: Dressed in a green noncontact jersey, quarterback Wyatt Sexton went through practices with increasing involvement. Sexton, penciled in as the starter, was diagnosed with Lyme disease after acting erratically last summer and needed months of treatment.

"He has come out and run some and thrown the ball in drills; nothing live," Bowden said. "He's getting some good work and that's what he needs to try to get himself back in there."

Although still reluctant to talk with the media, Sexton, who will be a fifth-year senior next season, has said he intends to rejoin the Seminoles.

"It's nice to have him back," quarterback Drew Weatherford said. "He's one of our teammates and he was away from us for a long time. ... He gets a little tired and sore just because he's just getting back into it, but he's doing well and he's excited to be back out there."

DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Dazzling guard Shante Williams was expected to play Wednesday for the women's basketball team against Fordham after serving a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules.

ON THE BUS: If you have tickets to the Orange Bowl or you simply want to be in South Florida and want to leave the driving to someone else, contact the Pinellas Seminole Boosters. The club is arranging a bus trip that leaves Jan.3 at 1 p.m. and returns after the game. The cost is $60 per person. To reserve a seat, send an e-mail to gobybusnoles@yahoo.com

Brian Landman covers Florida State athletics. Reach him at 813 226-3347 or by e-mail at landman@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 29, 2005, 00:52:13]