Davin Bellamy, a top defensive end recruit, committed to the Florida State Seminoles Saturday over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Bellamy stars for Atlanta's Chamblee Carter High. He also had strong interest from Auburn and Georgia. He is rated four stars by ESPN and Scout, and three stars by 247sports and Rivals.
Davin Bellamy Commits To Florida State: Noles’ First 2013 DE Recruit
Bellamy is quick off the edge and has a slight frame at 6’5 and 225 pounds. He’ll need to work hard in a college strength program to avoid being pushed around by college offensive tackles, but should be able to eventually support 255 or more pounds of muscle.
Bellamy spoke with SB Nation about his decision to be a Seminole.
“Early on, it was tough. I was back and forth. Both schools had a lot to offer,” Bellamy said.
But a second visit to Tallahassee and a talk with some family members cemented his choice. He wanted to be at Florida State.
“My mom actually wanted me to commit during my second visit,” he said. “She knew I wanted to go to Florida State.”
Both schools had a lot to offer.
“Vanderbilt offered instant playing time, and I wouldn’t get that at Florida State,” Bellamy said.
Ultimately, Florida State offered more.
“I was talking with some of the guys in my family and they told me to look at the players to go to Vanderbilt and the players that go to FSU,” Bellamy said. “The guys that go to Vanderbilt don’t get FSU offers. I’m not trying to downgrade Vanderbilt, but that’s just how it is. They told me that if I was good enough for a Florida State offer, I needed to go to FSU, and to trust myself and not shy away from competition. Florida State is just a special program.”
Worries over playing time might have scared away some defensive ends from Florida State this year, as the 'Noles signed the No. 1 defensive end Mario Edwards, Jr. (also the No.1 player nationally) and No. 5 defensive end Chris Casher in the 2012 class. Defensive end Giorgio Newberry was also a top-ten defensive end recruit in the class of 2011. And defensive end Bjoern Werner, a potential All-American, isn't a lock to leave for the NFL, though it is very possible.
“I looked at it. I know they signed them. But they only have like four defensive ends coming back. Vanderbilt, with the other ends they’re bringing in, has like eight,” he said. “I think I could play early at either school.”
And what if Bellamy can’t play early?
“I know I gotta work,” Bellamy said. “But FSU is putting guys in the league. The coaches know what to do with me.”
Bellamy cited his relationship with coach Dameyune Craig, his area recruiter, as a major factor for choosing Florida State.
“My relationship with coach Craig is the best of all the recruiters,” he said. “He was the same the whole time. He was up front and didn’t try to tell me what he thought I wanted to hear.”
Craig even started giving Bellamy some advice before he committed.
“He told me to stop being immature,” Bellamy said. “I was talking about some schools in some articles, and he knew I wasn’t really interested in them, and he told me to stop playing around. I appreciated that. He was right. We have similar backgrounds growing up and similar goals.”
“And he really connected with my mom. He said if I miss class, he’d be giving her a call.”
Bellamy also cited Florida State’s communications program, as he plans to be a broadcaster.
Despite his commitment, Bellamy still plans to take all five official visits, though he says they are “just to visit, for fun.”
Florida State now has 17 commitments in its 2013 class.
For more on FSU football, visit Florida State blog Tomahawk Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.
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