QA - FSU commitment Ryan Gilliam

Q & A with Ryan Gilliam

It was nearly six months between commitments but Tallahassee Lincoln standout Ryan "Bird" Gilliam broke Florida State's dry spell when he committed on Countdown to Signing Day, a show broadcast on Fox Sports Net South. Warchant.com caught up with Gilliam minutes after his commitment became public to talk about why he selected the Seminoles.

Why did you pick the Seminoles?

Surprise, surprise right? (laugh). I cancelled all of my visits and I was talking to the guys in California (at the Cali-Florida Bowl) and sharing what most guys were thinking and basically came to the conclusion that a lot of guys love Florida State and want to go to Florida State but somebody needs to step up and take it personally and commit. A lot of guys were scared about all of the bad stuff going on. The negative publicity goes on at every university, but it was scaring guys about Florida State. In my opinion if somebody stepped up and step out and commit it would open up the flood gates for other guys to say 'okay, he comfortable with it and he has faith in it so I can have faith in it too.' Somebody's got to lead the pack, so why not me? That's where I wanted to go. It basically boiled down to Oregon and Florida State. The only thing about Oregon was the mystery of the whole thing, being away from home and doing something different and new. But I had to follow my heart. I'm a Nole and I bleed that garnet and gold so let's go Florida State and bring back the glory days.

So you let the coaches know that you were going to commit a little early?

Yea. I wasn't a silent commitment until yesterday. I told coach Lilly yesterday. I lot of people thought I was silent before then and I really wasn't. I talked to coach Lilly yesterday and told him I was on my way up here (Atlanta) to do it on a show.

Were the coaches happy because, like you said, it might get the ball rolling?

Oh yea. Coach Lilly was totally in agreement with me about getting the ball rolling. You would be surprised at how many guys are so close to committing and are like 'I love Florida State and I always wanted to go there,' but Florida State needed some good news right now with Dockett getting arrested and all that. I'm a hometown guy and I'm all about Florida State. Right now I'm just getting the ball rolling to get some of these guys to start committing and help me bring this dynasty back up.

Are you going to try to get your teammate Antonio Cromartie to follow you to FSU?

Yes, I'm definitely going to try to work on him. He's a great guy and a great athlete. I could definitely use playing with him another four or five years. He's his own person and he's going to make his own decisions but I'm going to work on him.

What jersey number do you want?

Oh yes. Anquan left today (declared for the NFL) so I want my number (4). Anquan is leaving so I might as well come in and fill the gap (laugh).

Who are some of the guys you've been talking to that might be close to committing to FSU?

Everything they told me is in confidence so I don't want to name any guys that are real close to coming but I was working on everybody from Jonathan Beason, Ernie Sims, DeCody (Fagg), Clifton Dickson, Marcus Thomas who is committed, Cromartie, Kenny Scott, Reggie Nelson, Willie Cooper, DJ Norris, and so many different guys.

Would you like to see all the Tallahassee area recruits make a statement like you and commit to FSU?

I would love to see myself and DeCody, Ernie and Cro all stay. Honestly, I don't know how realistic that is right now with Ernie, Cromartie and Decody. I don't know because I'm not in their minds. I know I'm leading the way and I'm inviting them all to come with me because we are going to build the dynasty back up. We are going to be on top and win some national championships. I've got three now (state titles) and going to get some more. I know Ernie wants to win, I know DeCody wants to win and I know Cro wants to win. I wish them all the best and I hope they come to Florida State so we can win together.

You made a comment on the TV show that you just can't see yourself as a Gator.

I can't do it. I'm not a Gator. Just like I said, I'm not a Gator. They have some good things going on and they have some bad things.

You can play wide receiver or cornerback in college. Where will you be playing at FSU?

They are going to sign me as an athlete. It depends on who else they sign. I don't mind that, I'm just a player and I don't care. If JB (Jeff Bowden), for whatever reason, he doesn't get some guys at receiver I'm fine with that. I just want to put that garnet and gold on and be a Seminole.

What will be going through your mind in that first game when you come out of the tunnel in Doak Campbell Stadium?

It's going to be a dream come true. That's what I've been looking forward to ever since I played flag football, or put the helmet on for the first time. It's the greatest thing. Just to be a part of the program. I just can't wait to sign those papers and have my picture up at Florida State.

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