For one of college football’s premier programs of the last 40 years, it’s not surprising that a number of jersey numbers have a lot of tradition behind them. For Florida State, most could easily come up with an All-American player who wore 2, 10, 17 or 34.
Over the last few decades, the jersey No. 80 has become quite prominent. Last week, incoming freshman tight end Alexander Marshall announced that he would wear the number.
In a series we started this past week, we’ve been looking at some of the best FSU players to wear numbers that will be donned by freshmen this year. For consideration, we look at players only during the time they wore the number. With further ado, here are the five best Seminoles to wear No. 80:
5. Javon Walker (2000-01)
Wide Receiver
Stats: 65 catches, 1,257 yards receiving, 10 touchdown receptions
After spending time at the junior college level, Javon Walker played minimally for a Florida State team that reached the national championship in 2000. The follow year, he broke out, recording 45 catches for 944 yards and seven touchdowns. Walker averaged 21 yards per catch and finished with at least 100 yards receiving six times that year, including a career-high 195 on just four catches in a 30-17 Gator Bowl win over Virginia Tech.
4. Ron Dugans (1995-99)
Wide Receiver
Stats: 105 catches, 1,520 yards receiving, 7 touchdown receptions
For much of his career, Ron Dugans was overshadowed by the likes of Peter Warrick, E.G. Green and Laveranues Coles, but had a solid career as a compliment receiver. In each of his final two seasons in Tallahassee, Dugans finished with more than 600 yards receiving. Dugans thrived on the big stages, totaling 11 catches for 234 yards and a pair of touchdown catches in two national championship game appearances. His 14-yard fourth quarter touchdown catch from Chris Weinke in the 2000 Sugar Bowl put FSU ahead for good as the Seminoles completed their only perfect season under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden.
3. Tamarick Vanover (1992-93)
Wide Receiver
Stats: 87 catches, 1,123 yards receiving, 7 touchdown receptions, 3 rushing touchdowns, 2 kickoff return touchdowns
Tamarick Vanover was a 2-time All-American, both for his ability to return kicks and his play as a wide receiver. In just two years in Tallahassee, Vanover recorded 12 total touchdowns, scoring multiple touchdowns in three different ways. Vanover was a threat to score every time he touched the football and was an integral part of a deep receiving corps that helped propel FSU to its first national championship in 1993.
2. Scott Warren (1976-79)
Defensive End
Stats: 300 career tackles, 22 for loss, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 1 defensive touchdown
A member of Bobby Bowden’s original Florida State team in 1976, Scott Warren was a 4-year contributor for the Seminoles. Warren’s best season came as a sophomore when he tallied 110 total tackles and 12 for loss. Warren was a versatile defender for FSU who made plays in a number of ways. Warren was an honorable mention All-American in 1979. Warren was also the older brother of future FSU linebacker Terry Warren.
1. Rashad Green (2011-14)
Wide Receiver
Stats: 270 catches, 3,830 yards receiving, 29 touchdown receptions, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 punt return touchdowns
Rashad Greene tops the list as Florida State’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Greene was the only player in FSU history to lead the Seminoles in receiving in four straight seasons. In 2013, Greene became the first FSU receiver in 12 years to finish with at least 1,000 yards. Greene set an FSU record the following year with 99 receptions. During his time in Tallahassee, Greene was a member of three ACC championship teams and the Seminoles’ 2013 national title team. As a senior in 2014, Greene was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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