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By BRIAN LANDMAN
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001
Florida State safety Chris Hope, middle linebacker Bradley Jennings and receiver Atrews Bell announced Friday that they will follow a developing school tradition and eschew early entry into the NFL draft.
The return of Hope and Jennings is considered important by the team, considering graduation claimed seven defensive starters, including cornerbacks Tay Cody and Clevan Thomas, safety Derrick Gibson and linebackers Brian Allen and Tommy Polley.
Hope, who will be a senior, had 83 tackles, fourth on the team, and earned second-team All-ACC honors. Jennings, also a senior-to-be, has started every game the past two seasons and tied Allen for the team lead in tackles with 102.
"I still have unfinished business at Florida State," Hope said. "Completing my degree is important to me. I also have a chance to show my leadership skills because our team will be younger than it has been. Some people are suggesting we'll be down next year because we've lost so many seniors. ... We are determined to keep the dynasty alive."
Hope had said he would leave if he were to be a first-round pick, but it appears that would not have been the case. Jennings and Bell also felt compelled to explore their status before making a decision.
Coach Bobby Bowden has maintained for years, his players that have stayed for their senior year historically have improved their pro stock. It happened with Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn and Peter Warrick. In the past four years, only defensive tackle Larry Smith and kicker Sebastian Janikowski left early.
"I'm pleased that we won't be losing anybody early," Bowden said. "We have not had a player yet hurt himself by coming back. ... They've got a chance to earn their degrees and enjoy a senior season that is a very special time."
WHO: Top senior football players in North America.
WHEN/WHERE: 4; Pacific Bell Park, San Francisco.
TV: ESPN.
COACHES: West -- Mack Brown, Texas, assistants Greg Davis and Carl Reese. East -- Lloyd Carr, Michigan, assistants Fred Jackson and Jim Herrmann.
SERIES: West leads 39-31-5; East won last year 35-21.
NOTES: South Florida kicker Bill Gramatica, off an impressive performance in the Blue-Gray game, caps his collegiate career today. An annual game, this is the largest publicity event of the year for the 22 Shriner's Hospitals located throughout North America. More than $14-million has been raised since the game's inception in 1925. This is the first football game to be played at San Francisco's Pacific Bell Park. The game is the country's oldest all-star contest and second only to the Rose Bowl among post-season games. Many former pro greats have played in the game, including Doug Williams, Roger Staubach, Frank Gifford and Gale Sayers. Most recent participants include Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch and Tampa Bay kicker Martin Gramatica. -- Compiled by Antonya English.