Timmons makes it official: Hes a Nole

The news keeps getting better for Florida State.

Four-star linebacker Lawrence Timmons committed to play for the Seminoles in a carefully scheduled interview with a South Carolina television station on Thursday evening.

Timmons told WPDE-TV Sports Director Rich Chrampanis that he selected FSU over Florida and Tennessee. Chrampanis worked with the Timmons family to arrange for the announcement so that Timmons could enjoy the moment of selecting and putting on an FSU hat in front of a live television audience in the Myrtle Beach/Florence broacast area.

Timmons made the announcement with his family and high school coach in the television studio with him.

Timmons began the announcement ceremony with three hats in front of him, one each from Tennessee, Florida and Florida State. He then removed the Tennessee hat.

"I don't see myself going there," Timmons said. "It's a great school and everything, but I don't see myself there."

Then he chose between the FSU and Florida hats.

"It's been between them for a long time," Timmons said. "But I think Florida State is a better home for me."

Timmons, when interviewed by Chrampanis, said he was happy the decision was made.

"We can stop with all the phone calls," Timmons said. "I can sleep now."

Timmons said one of the deciding factors was FSU assistant coach Kevin Steele.

"Just talking to Coach Steele -- he's my recruiting coach and my linebacker coach," Timmons said. "He's a great guy and I trust him."

Timmons said he has a plan to get ready for the 2004 season.

"I've got to work hard and get in the weight room and get my speed up," Timmons said.

Timmons (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) is the first high school linebacker to publicly commit to the Seminoles this season and is considered one of the top players in the country.

He is rated the No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 61 player in the country by Rivals100.com. He is also a member of Rivals' Southeast Elite 88 and and is the No. 4 player in South Carolina.

Timmons earned all-state honors at tight end as a junior and was a first-team all-state selection on defense as a senior.

Timmons was credited with 150 tackles and two sacks as a senior. He also caught 47 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

He now becomes FSU's 21st public commitment. That number includes receiver DeCody Fagg, who is already enrolled in classes.

Timmons is also one of seven prospects from the 13-player group that visited FSU during the weekend of Jan. 9-10.

Of the players who took their official visits to Tallahassee that weekend, FSU has already secured commitments from Trevor Ford, Kenny Ingram, Aaron Jones, Xavier Lee, Cornelius Lewis and Joe Surratt.

The Seminoles are still involved with J.R. Bryant, Cornelius Ingram, Brandon Miller and Willie Williams from that group. Only Xavier Carter (LSU) and Garry Pack (Mississippi) have committed elsewhere.