Four-star OL commits to the Seminoles

Florida State's 2004 recruiting class will be loaded with several elite skill players on offense like Xavier Lee, Kenny O'Neal and Jamaal Edwards. However, for those future Seminoles to do their stuff on the field it is essential that they have a dominating offensive line to keep defenders at bay. Based on the early returns that won't be a problem.

Earlier in the day Louisiana big man Geoff Berniard made it official and committed to the Seminoles. Then more good news came from Sarasota, Florida when Four-star offensive lineman Dumaka Atkins announced on a local news telecast that he had selected the Seminoles over the Michigan Wolverines.

"I'm going to be a 'Nole," Atkins told WWSB Channel 40. "I felt like I was at home at Florida State. Their coaches showed me the most love through out the recruiting process."

Atkins' commitment evens the score between the Big 10 and ACC powerhouses. Brett Gallimore, a four-star lineman from Missouri, selected Michigan over FSU last month.

The Rivals.com No. 11 guard prospect becomes the fifth offensive linemen to commit to FSU, and the 18th player overall. The Seminoles are still in the running Tallahassee Lincoln lineman Calvin Darity, who is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 1 guard in the nation.

Atkins visited his top two teams on back-to-back weekends, just returning from Ann Arbor on Sunday. He was at Florida State two weekends ago. Although he enjoyed both visits, he noted that distance of the two universities from his home in Sarasota was a factor in his decision.

As a junior, the 6-foot-4, 280-pound guard graded out at 93 percent and earned All-Area and All-District honors. This season he was named a first all-state player for 3A. He also boasts a 300-pound bench press, a 475-pound Squat and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds.

"As great a player as he is, he is even a better person," head coach Fred Gilmore told Warchant.com. "He's been a tremendous leader in our resurgence. He will be an outstanding college football player at the next level if he keeps maturing and growing."

Atkins is qualified academically. He carries a 2.8 GPA and scored a 1100 on the SAT.

Thanks to KleinNOLE for his assistance.

Talk about it on the Premium Recruiting Board or the Regular Recruiting Board