Florida State Update: Everett Dawkins

Florida St. normally waits until Signing Day to finish off a top-10 type class. This season has been a bit different for Bobby Bowden and the new coaching staff. There was a lot of talk surrounding OC/QB guru Jimbo Fisher and O-line maniac Rick Trickett but it may be another new coach that this recruiting success can be attributed. Former NC State head coach Chuck Amato is on this star-studded staff now and one thing he has always been able to do is recruit. Amato and Co. have put together a stellar class for 2008 and its not even signing day yet! Unofficial BCS Team Recruiting Rankings

Who could forget this classic film about Amato

A recent trip by FSU DE coach Jody Allen to watch 6-3, 250 lb defensive end Everett Dawkins paid off with a commitment from the Byrnes HS (Duncan, SC) player. He goes with the Noles over Illinois, Wisconsin, Va. Tech, Tennessee South Carolina and others.

Byrnes is a football juggernaut in the state of South Carolina with facilities that rivals small D-1 football programs. This means that physical development should be ahead of schedule as compared to most high school programs. Dawkins is a finalist for Mr. Football in the Palmetto state.

It shows on the field. Dawkins is an athlete. He is very explosive, has quick feet and runs very well. He can get to ball in a hurry. On film he looks bigger than 250 and he carries the weight very well as he is comfortable in open space. He also has one of the quickest swim moves I have ever seen on film. Because of his athleticism he is comfortable in a two-point stance.

His comfort level with standing up comes from the utilization a very unique defensive front scheme. At times he is cock-eyed in as a DT and sometime the entire defensive line is standing. The New England Patriots has at times used this to confuse QB's pre-snap.

I am worried about his reliance on one move, the swim. He uses it even as a DT and he rarely shows the power and strength to stand a O-lineman up at the point of attack and hold his ground. He will need to learn to go through blocks not constantly try to go around them. D-1 athletes are too quick these days. They will beat him to the hole if he tries to go around blocks. Make no mistake, however, he is an physically gifted athlete.