Jimbo Fisher discusses FSU camp growth
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Florida State head coach took some time on Friday afternoon at the conclusion of the summer's second Jimbo Fisher Camp to discuss the camp with reporters. Fisher also covered some offseason news, including changes in the NFL's underclassman evaluation process, the 2014 recruiting class, and what has spurred growth of FSU's high school football camps in recent years.
I heard you say this was the biggest camp you've ever had?
"It was, numbers-wise. It's continued to grow and we're proud of that, because we base this camp not off the prospects but off teaching every individual the basics of football, and we work them hard just like we do our guys. Our coaches do it and put them through exactly the same workouts and drills that our guys do. Hopefully they're getting better. It's growing I think because we're working on kids and getting better."
Do you have any numbers?
"I think there was a day we were in the 600s. A couple good sessions. I think we had 450 main, and then over 600 in and out."
Winning a national championship doesn't hurt, either.
"No, it doesn't. But I think it's two things. It's that and knowing that the kids get worked every day. It's not what I call a 'recruiting camp' in any way, shape or form. People want to be around people who are successful. There's no doubt."
Because it's been growing…
"Every year, it's constantly growing. Hopefully it continues to grow and we'll be pushing it up."
You can't speak specifically about recruits, but it seemed like there was a lot of talent…
"Yeah, there are so many great kids in the state of Florida. We had kids come from all over the country. There are so many kids out there playing football today, so many athletes. It's fun to watch. I'd catch a guy making a play here, here, everywhere. It's fun."
And you had some former players come back, guys who played last year and guys going into the Hall of Fame.
"That's exactly right. We're all one family. We're all part of the same family. Having Derrick Brooks and those guys back, his son was in the camp, he's going into the Hall of Fame and for people to see that, our ex-players back, in the NFL hanging around, and our players are working the camp. I think it's great for these kids to see what they can achieve."
When you work with the quarterbacks, what do you try to impress upon them?
"Fundamentals. You ever hear Brady and Manning talk, they don't talk about all the yards they throw for. They want to talk about getting better fundamentally, in their reads, in their footwork, in their throwing. That's what I want for these guys. The proper technique to throw the football, where your eyes should be, how to read and how to work your feet to be able to throw the football. That's what I've missed, getting back out there in the individual coaching. That's what we did a whole lot of and I love it."
We saw Chad Mavety this week. Still waiting on anything with him?
"Yeah, but he should be good. They have to do the paperwork, but his grades and everything we've got it good. He looks great."
So everyone is here?
"Yes. Now, Derrick Kelly Jr. is finishing up a class, but that's it. Everyone should qualify."
How unique is it to get everyone qualified almost every year?
"That's something we spend a lot of time on and we evaluate in our process when we recruit or commit a guy, if we have the ability to do that. Now a couple of guys we've had the in the past, we knew we were actually going to sign and place. There have been very few that we've ever missed getting qualified. We spend an awful lot of time evaluating and making sure, educating the counselors where they're at, what the kind of classes the guys have to have. It's an education process, but the guys are out there doing it. You can recruit all you want, but if the guys aren't here it doesn't matter. You're just recruiting for nothing."
You talked about the national championship, but does having guys like Christian, E.J., and Jameis help?
"No doubt. I think the word of mouth and what you do and how they were taught, I think that spreads. I think it does."
You talk about the ACC and getting publicity, and it seems like a lot of people are coming to see you. Is it good for the conference?
"I think it's great for the conference. We had 10 or 11 teams in bowl games last year, more award winners than all the other leagues combined. We had two BCS games, the national champions, we had the most top 150 players selected (in the NFL draft), 32 to the SEC's 26. We had 49 to their 46 overall, so we're playing as good of football as anybody and we want to show that. We're proud of that."
Did you hear about the NFL's new rules for underclassmen evaluation?
"That's been like that this year. We petitioned because we had more, they did more than five (underclassmen evaluations) this year. Then, when you call and ask them if you have the number of people and they know they're legit, they'll do it for you."
What do you think of the first, second round grades now? The grades will be first, second, or nothing now.
"Really, that's what they should do, because you shouldn't come out early if you're not in those two rounds. It doesn't make sense to."
But some guys would hear fourth round and think they could work their way up…
"Exactly. They'd say top three rounds, and then they'd say you could possibly be drafted. The other is fourth through seventh."
Is it kind of fun having Trey (Fisher) running around out here?
"It is. I get to see him and he's actually getting better and better, just watching him interact and he feels more comfortable. That's his normal life. It's fun to have him out here. He's getting too knowledgeable, he's getting too smart."
He was out there when you were with the quarterbacks…
"He does, he was listening to everything. He has his own evaluations, and his are pretty good."
Is this the most talent you've ever had at a camp?
"I don't know about that, and we're not allowed to talk about recruiting. But there were a lot of quality people in this camp, no doubt."