Rookie Preview: Jarmon Fortson

Jarmon Fortson knows how lucky he is. On Wednesday, the Carver high school (GA) star will complete his last day of high school and graduate with his class on May 24th. It's been a long road for the four-star receiver, a road that almost didn't lead him to Tallahassee. But the Rivals100 athlete worked on his grades and worked on shaping up his future, and in June, he'll join the rest of the 2008 class at Florida State.

"I'm very excited to get out of here," said Fortson. "I'm excited to graduate, nothing can stop me. Everybody is excited for me because the lifestyle I was living, I wasn't supposed to make it. But I made it."

That lifestyle could have put the Columbus, Georgia star off track for good. But a loving mother, an older sister, and younger brother made sure that he stayed the course and earned his degree.

"My father was never around, so I didn't have a father figure," said Fortson. "I have an older sister and younger brother. I always protected him, that's my young man."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound athlete will play anywhere Jimbo Fisher asks him to. More than likely, it will be at wide receiver, but FSU is hoping they can have the second coming of Preston Parker on the field.

"They say they are excited to use me all over the field," said Fortson. "I'm looking to go down there and play where I'm needed, wherever they need help.

"I love to take my aggression out on the football field, there's nothing like taking out your aggression on the field. That's what I love to do."

Fortson will live with four-star linebacer Nigel Carr during their freshmen years. Two very dedicated guys, ready to change the fortunes of FSU football.

"I've been talking to Coach (Lawrence) Dawsey and Coach (Jimbo) Fisher," said Fortson. "I talk to Nigel Carr my roommate, I stay in touch with him. We talk about a lot about coming out and being focused and getting ready for the season."

Fortson says he can't wait until the day he first puts on the Garnet and Gold and makes his first play for Bobby Bowden. It's always been a dream of his to play college football, a dream that began when he first picked up the game at the ripe old age of seven.

"I started out playing quarterback, once I started playing QB I was fast," said Fortson. "I wasn't tall, I was one of the shortest people. I was running around people, I scored all the points, I loved it."

It's that love for the game that has the talented wideout thinking about his future where hopes to play like some other oversized and ultra talentd receivers - Terrell Owens and Randy Moss.

"Just learning the game, being more mature in the game, working hard and learning what it takes to make it," said Fortson.

The Rivals100 member hopes to wear jersey No. 1 at FSU.

Lee Gordon is an Anchor/Reporter at WCTV in Tallahassee. Prior to his return to the Capital City, Lee spent three years as a Sports Anchor/Reporter at WTEV-WAWS in Jacksonville and prior to that was Sports Director at WCTV from 2000-2004. Lee has worked for Warchant.com for 5 years and brings over a decade of experience to our staff.

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