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One day after the arrest and indefinite suspension of junior wide receiver Da'Vante Phillips, Florida State had senior defensive back Malique Jackson working out Saturday with the wide receiver unit.

Jackson, a senior who originally hails from Georgia, has played sparingly in the Seminoles' defensive backfield. He saw action in six games last season, as a defensive back and special-teams player, and he wasn't expected to compete for a starting job this fall.

At the start of Saturday's practice, Jackson was seen catching passes with the other wide receivers, and he also had ditched his garnet defense jersey for a white one signifying offense. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher confirmed the position switch after Saturday's practice and noted that Jackson has run routes with the Seminoles' other receivers each summer.

"We've got some other corners that are doing some good things," Fisher said in explaining the move. "And I said that guy's very skilled and can run and play ... looks very good doing it. Great ball skills and very athletic; can really run. So we're looking at that and adds some depth there."

Jackson, who is listed at 6-foot, 170 pounds, is not entirely new to the offensive side of the ball. He played quarterback in high school, passing for more than 1,500 yards and rushing for more than 900 more as a prep junior.

Plus, Fisher said, Jackson has a good feel for the Seminoles' offense from playing against it each day in practice.

"I guess you do learn when you cover guys," Fisher said with a smile. "You learn how to run a route, and he knows the terminology because they play against each other all the time. ... I was shocked at the knowledge and what he really knew."

FSU entered preseason practice with a relatively thin group of wide receivers, and that segment took a hit with Phillips' suspension. Although he has only caught five career passes, Phillips was in the running to be the Seminoles' No. 3 or No. 4 receiver this fall.

Phillips was suspended indefinitely after being charged with five theft- and fraud-related charges Friday morning.

**** Also See: Saturday's practice report on the Tribal Council ****

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