Antone Smith's decision to sign with Florida State over Miami might have been the biggest surprise that took place on February's national signing day. Florida's Mr. Football spoke with Warchant.com and other members of the media on Monday about his first day of voluntary workouts, how the freshmen class is stacking up, his relationship with Fred Rouse, more details on why he picked FSU, and more.
How was your first day?
Excellent, I feel excellent. Some of these workouts I've never done before but I caught on very fast. I'm loving it - it's hard work.
How is the camaraderie been with the freshmen class so far?
I haven't been able to meet everybody and know them all by name yet but it's a great feeling to get together and adapt to the new environment.
You and Fred Rouse talked during the recruiting process. Are you two building on that friendship?
Oh yea. Me and Fred are real tight. We are all just chillin, hanging around and watching some classic football together and playing Playstation 2. Me and Fred are going to bond pretty good over the next three or four years.
Would you have still picked FSU had Fred signed with another school?
It wasn't about Fred, it was making a decision for myself. I felt I would be successful in life coming to Florida State so I came.
Being in South Florida did you get any pressure to sign with Miami?
No. I'm my own man and I think for myself. I won't let anybody make the choice but me because if I go to the school and then don't like it I've got to sit there and deal with it because somebody else told me to go there. I came to Florida State because that's where I wanted to come.
What is your current weight?
I'm at 190 right now.
How good is this freshmen class?
The potential here is crazy. We should win the national championship this year, the next year and the year after that. That's how much potential we have on this team right now. The sky is the limit and I'm just ready for it all to come down.
With Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker coming back what are your expectations for playing this year?
I don't know. I'll work hard and do what I've got to do. I'm not going to worry about that because they are seniors and juniors so they are about to get out of here and I'll wait my turn.
Can you see yourself getting on the field right away on special teams returning kicks?
I wouldn't mind doing that if that's what it takes to get on the field in my first year. It's not something I want to make a living doing it but wouldn't mind.
From talking to you before it sounded like your really hit it off with Leon Washington.
Me and Leon we talked about a whole lot of different things when I first came in on my visit. He was a major part of me making my decision because of the things he said. He said he will take me on his shoulder and lead me the right way. I like that about him because not too many guys in his position would say that.
Did Eric Moore, who is your cousin, play a part in you signing with FSU?
We never talked about this. He stayed out of the recruiting process. Like I said, you can't let anybody lead you the wrong way. You have to lead yourself.
Talk about it on the
href="http://floridastate.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=1061&fid=1079&style=2">Football Message Board or on the Tribal Council