Florida State Football: 5 Players That Will Try to Replace Greg Reid
With Florida State less than a week away from officially beginning preparations for the 2012 season, head coach Jimbo Fisher sent a shockingly stern message to his team by dismissing star corner and return man Greg Reid for a violation of team rules, per FSUโs official web site Seminoles.com.
The issues for Fisher now begin with replacing a starting corner and potentially the best punt returner in the nation.
As my colleague Michael Felder pointed out, dealing with the latter element of Reidโs absence may be the biggest challenge for the Seminoles.ย
Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has built a solid reputation for his work with defensive backs throughout his career, and plenty of talentโalbeit young and lacking notable experienceโabounds for the โNoles to work with.ย
Finding a game-changing return man of Reidโs caliber is highly unlikely, but there are several explosive athletes on the roster that will get a chance to show their abilities on special teams.
When FSU officially opens camp on Aug. 6, which players will be counted on to step up to fill the new vacancies?
Here are five playersโthree at corner and a pair of return menโthat could be in line to replace Reid.
5. Nick Waisome
1 of 5Nick Waisome is currently listed as the backup to Reid at field corner.
The 5โ10โ, 180-pound sophomore appeared in 10 games last season and recorded just one tackle as a contributor mainly on special teams.ย
However, the Groveland, Fla. native received plenty of work in the spring and had a solid spring game, posting a pair of pass breakups and a sack.
The former 4-star recruit was rated as the nationโs second-best corner prospect in the class of 2011, and since he was an early enrollee, he has had the benefit of being in defensive coordinator Mark Stoopsโ system since last January.ย
4. Tyler Hunter
2 of 5Tyler Hunterโa former high school teammate of Reidโis having his own off-field controversy to deal with in relation to a controversial message he sent out on Twitter, per the Orlando Sentinel.
On the field, the 6โ0โ, 190-pound sophomore is primed for a breakout season after impressing Fisher in the spring with his athleticism and his ability to play at several spots in the secondary.
His likely landing spot before Reidโs dismissal was the nickel corner spot vacated by the departure of Mike Harris.
With Reid gone, Hunter will likely get a chance to occupy the starting spot opposite Xavier Rhodes in FSUโs base defense.ย
3. Terrence Brooks
3 of 5Terrence Brooks is a versatile athlete that started his college career as a corner, but is in line to be the starter at free safety.
Of the options available to Fisher, Brooks represents the most experienced player that could take over Reidโs spot at corner.
A big factor for whether or not Fisher would consider moving Brooks back to corner could be the development of former 5-star recruit Karlos Williamsโwho would start in Brooks' place at safety should he move.ย
Another concern that could arise in moving Brooks would be the depth at both safety positions, which is not as solid as it is at corner.ย
Incoming freshmen Ronald Darby and Colin Blake are also options if they are able to make their adjustment to the college level quickly enough.
2. Rashad Greene
4 of 5Rashad Greene burst onto the scene last year as one of the nationโs top freshmen wide receivers, and has demonstrated the ability to be an explosive talent capable of changing a game in one play.ย
He is also listed as the backup to Reid on the punt-return team, and at the very least, he would give the โNoles a set of sure hands capable of fielding punts.
The rising sophomore has also proven to have a knack for his poise in pressure situations, which would serve him well at a position that requires an elevated level of concentration.
1. Marvin Bracy
5 of 5Marvin Bracy is an incoming freshman with world-class sprinter speed, and on a roster full of gifted athletes, the 5โ9โ, 165-pound Orlando native will stand out the instant he steps on the practice fields.
However, as he proved in the Under-Armour All-American game, Bracy is not a track star masquerading as a football player.
Take a look at the clip linked above as an example of his nifty footwork as a returner, and it becomes clear that his quick feet could eventually be the long-term solution to hole left by Reidโs departure.ย

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