The final stamp on the recruitment of Atlantic (Delray, Fla.) four-star defensive tackle Keith Bryant was officially put to rest on Wednesday afternoon when he announced he would be attending Florida State University. Warchant caught up with Bryant to talk about the decision, when he picked FSU, along with a few interesting details regarding his recruitment.
There are never such things as locks in recruiting. However, everything did go exactly as planned for Keith Bryant, who selected FSU over South Carolina and Miami. But why FSU and what pushed the 'Noles over the top?
"I'm very excited. At first I was nervous because it was on TV and so many people watching even though I knew where I wanted to go," said the No. 42 ranked player in the state. "I picked FSU because of the comfort I had when I was there. When I visited that never changed."
At the announcement yesterday there were some technical difficulties with the broadcast and Bryant was actually thinking about doing something that no one has done.
"I was going to have someone run on stage with the Seminole headdress and do it that way, but we could not do it," added Bryant.
One major part of Bryant's was his relationship with head coach Jimbo Fisher and his long-time relationship with Odell Haggins .
"Honestly I picked them because Coach Fisher showed much respect to me. He was the only head coach that came to my house. When he was there Coach Fisher talked about being an asset to the Seminole family," Bryant said. "Other head coaches just came to my school and we would spend about 15 minutes. Coach Fisher would stay for like two hours so that meant a lot."
Bryant says he looks at Odell Haggins as a father figure and never had a coach quite like him.
"I've known Coach Haggins since the eighth grade after attending the summer camps and it's just grown since then. He's a coach that's going to make me better," Bryant said. "I've had other coaches that would tell me how good I am, but he pushes me. He didn't care about being nice, he's going to push me and I liked that."
Bryant even has a memory that sticks out from one of the numerous camps he attended.
"My freshman year, I jumped off sides and he had me doing up-downs. I was like man that's something you do in high school, but I did like 50 of them. He called it "chopping the field," he laughed.
Bryant knew his final college destination for a few month. Bryant even told one of his favorite players at Florida State, Tim Jernigan of his decision.
"Tim (Jernigan) knew I was coming. I told him about a month ago that I was coming there," he said. "The defense is already crucial and I want to come right in and help make an impact like Eddie (Goldman) did some for the defensive line."
Bryant also did a little recruiting, helping sway one of the Seminoles' biggest remaining targets on an official visit.
"Yea,h I got Jalen Ramsey there. We talked and told him some facts, true statements about FSU and I felt like that's where we needed to go and take our talents," said Bryant.
As far as a final message to the Seminole fans before he arrives, Bryant had this to say to the Seminole nation.
"One I'm trying to get over there in May. To the Seminole fans, I'll say, BCS National championship game next year."
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