The Daily Nole

FSU Football: The Top Five Players to Wear No. 21

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Though it wasn’t as big as his National Signing Day commitment to Florida State, incoming freshman defensive tackle Marvin Wilson announced that he would wear No. 21 as a freshman in 2017.

Though the number isn’t as revered in FSU history as say, 2, 17, 28 or 34, there have been a number of solid players to wear the jersey number for the Seminoles. Some didn’t pan out so well such as Avis Commack or Chris Casher, but many others did.

Coming up, we look at the five best Seminoles ever to wear No. 21. The list only pertains to the years selected players wore the number. For example, James Colzie wore No. 21 in 1993 before switching to No. 20 the next season. In this case, only Colzie’s 1993 campaign would be considered.

5. Errol McCorvery (1989)
Safety
Stats: 26 total tackles, 2 interceptions
The older cousin of FSU receiving great Kez McCorvey, Errol McCorvey was a 3-year contributor for the Seminoles, but wore No. 26 over his final two years. In his only year wearing No. 21 however, McCorvey ranked fourth on the team in interceptions and second in pass break-ups with six.

4. Joe Goldsmith (1971-74)
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Stats: 61 catches, 958 yards receiving, 5 touchdown receptions
A tight end/receiver hybrid prior to the Bobby Bowden era, Joe Goldsmith was a 3-year contributor for Florida State. Goldsmith had a career-year as a senior in 1974, finishing with a team-high 525 yards receiving on 42 catches and a pair of touchdowns.

3. Talman Gardner (1999-02)
Wide Receiver
Stats: 90 catches, 1,595 yards receiving, 19 touchdown receptions
A member of the 1999 national championship team and three ACC title teams, Talman Gardner had the reputation of being a deep threat. Throughout his time in Tallahassee, Gardner averaged nearly 18 yards per catch. Gardner finished with more than 600 yards receiving in each of his last two seasons. His 11 touchdown catches in 2001 led the team.

2. Patrick Robinson (2006-09)
Cornerback
Stats: 117 career tackles, 7 for loss, 7 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles
After being seldom-used as a freshman in 2006, Patrick Robinson was arguably the best Florida State cornerback for the final three years of his career. As a sophomore in 2007, Robinson intercepted a career-high six passes. Though he recorded just one interception over his final two seasons, Robinson was a solid defender and a good tackler from his cornerback position. As a senior in 2009, Robinson was a second-team All-ACC selection.

1. Bobby Butler (1977-80)
Cornerback
Stats: 101 tackles, 4 for loss, 11 interceptions, 1 touchdown
A 2-sport star from Delray Beach who also lettered in track, Bobby Butler was a standout cornerback for Florida State long before the Seminoles started claiming themselves “DBU”. After recording six interceptions and a touchdown as a junior in 1979, Butler was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press in 1980. Butler helped the Seminoles make back-to-back Orange Bowls during his final two years. Butler still ranks 11th in school-history in interceptions.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply