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Scrimmage Insider: Young skill players step up with Cook, Rudolph limited

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Sophomore Da'Vante Phillips drew praise from FSU coach Jimbo Fisher following Wednesday's scrimmage. (Gene Williams/Warchant)

On a day when Florida State wanted to take things slow with their top two playmakers on offense, two lesser-known skill players stepped up in a big way.

During Wednesday’s two-hour scrimmage inside Doak Campbell Stadium -- the Seminoles’ second and final scrimmage of the preseason -- freshman tailback Amir Rasul and sophomore receiver Da’Vante Phillips provided the type of plays that typically come from star juniors Dalvin Cook and Travis Rudolph.

Cook and Rudolph both participated in the scrimmage, but they wore blue non-contact jerseys and saw limited reps. Rudolph recently returned from a pulled hamstring, and FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said the coaches didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks with Cook.

While Fisher wasn’t thrilled with the overall scrimmage, he was visibly excited when he spoke about Rasul and Phillips.

“Da’Vante Phillips made some really nice routes and catches out there,” Fisher said. “He runs great routes and catches the ball – he’s strong. I’m gonna tell you now, I like what I see out of him right now. Phillips is becoming a really good player.”

Phillips, a sophomore from Miami, played in 10 games last season but recorded only one catch. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder got off to a slow start this preseason due to a knee injury but has bounced back in a big way, according to Fisher.

“He has flashed the last two days probably as much as anybody,” Fisher said. “He’s a true receiver – big, strong, like a typical 'X' (split end) guy. Really playing good.”

Phillips’ emergence is not totally unexpected. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and now has more than a year of experience in Fisher’s offense.

Rasul, however, has been one of the pleasant surprises in camp. Despite coming in as the fifth-string tailback, the freshman from Coral Gables, Fla., has caught Fisher’s attention during several practices.

“Amir Rasul’s doing a heck of a job,” Fisher said. “That guy’s playing good football.”

Fisher said fellow tailbacks Jacques Patrick, Ryan Green and Johnathan Vickers had their moments as well on Wednesday, but his highest praise was reserved for Rasul.

“He jumps out at you at times,” Fisher said.

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