August 11, 2012

Michael Langston
Warchant.com Recruiting Analyst

Follow @michaelwarchant Follow @warchant

Promo Offer - Just four days left! Subscribe to Warchant.com and get a 30-day free trial with the possibility of getting 60!

Warchant TV: 1-on-1 interview with Davin Bellamy

Chamblee, Ga. - 2013 defensive end Davin Bellamy had all sorts of options during his recruiting process, flaunting dozens of scholarship offers.

Last month, the Chamblee, Ga. three-star prospect announced he had two schools at the top of his list - Vanderbilt and Florida State.

Bellamy decided to make his commitment announcement on Saturday during his team's media day in Chamblee, Ga., just northwest of Atlanta.

"Like LeBron (James), I'm taking my talents to Florida, unfortunately it won't be in Miami, it will be in Tallahassee. Go Noles," he said as he put on a garnet FSU baseball cap.

Following the quick announcement, Bellamy let out a sigh of relief, along with a big smile as he hugged his mother.

"It was a crazy day, but I'm blessed to be a part of the Seminole family," added Bellamy.

Bellamy says that FSU offered a little bit of everything. Academics, football tradition, development of the players at defensive end and feeling at home. His decision was made after the second FSU visit, but he wanted to be fair to Vanderbilt by giving them their chance with a visit the next day.

"I pretty much knew right after that visit, but I wanted to be a man of my word and give Vanderbilt a fair shot since I told them I would visit too," said Bellamy.

He talked about the reasons why he picked the Seminoles.

"At Vanderbilt, I knew I could play early. At FSU, they had a lot of names coming in like Chris Casher and Mario Edwards at my position. So it was kind fear coming up behind them," admitted Bellamy. "But on my second visit, (FSU explained) how they could use me. I talked it over with family and they told me don't shy away from competition. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So I chose FSU. Twenty seven straight years first round draft pick. That's what I'm looking to be."

He also talked about the defensive end situation at FSU.

"The coaches told me I was one of the best defensive ends on their board. I took that with a lot of appreciation about how much potential they saw in me. They feel I can come in there immediately and that's why Coach Craig told me he wasn't going to let me go," he added.

The 6-foot-5, 240 pound prospect said that the relationship with Dameyune Craig, his main recruiter at Florida State, played a big role in his decision.

"I built a close relationship with Coach Craig. He is like an Uncle now." said Bellamy. "Through the recruiting process, I made some immature decisions, and Coach Craig got on me about it. I think that showed me how much he cares about me... Me and Coach Craig kind of came up with the same background, where I'm trying to get, he's already been there."

Defensive ends coach D.J. Eliot also made a strong impression.

"Coach Eliot focuses on both pass rushing and run support, so I think as a coach he can take my talents to the next level. I know I'm a little raw in technique and Coach Eliot is very big on technique, so he can adjust that at Florida State. I think as a freshman I can come in on key situations and make big plays," he said. p>

Bellamy becomes the Seminoles' 18th confirmed commitment for the 2013 recruiting class and the first defensive end prospect. As a junior he racked up 60 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and five sacks for the Chamblee Bulldogs.