The 2011 Florida State season had just ended and many had come to Jimbo Fisher’s side. The second-year head coach dealt with injuries all season, including to starting quarterback E.J. Manuel and starting running back Chris Thompson, but eventually guided the Seminoles to a 9-4 record for the year. An awe-inspiring crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium for the Oklahoma game and victories against both Florida and Miami for the second straight season are still fond memories from the year.
By now, it was evident that Fisher was starting to get the guys he wanted and form the program he had planned. Offense was still an issue because of the lack of consistency, though the defense was one of the best in the country. A perfect example was the 21-7 victory over Florida after gaining less than 100 total yards for the game. Growing pains were still evident and many Seminole fans were still upset over the fact that FSU still dropped contests to Virginia, Clemson, and Wake Forest. The gripes were justified, but it was once again early in Fisher’s tenure.
The 2012 NFL Draft didn’t see an FSU player selected in the first round, but it still saw four guys get selected overall. It wasn’t the best draft by any means, but a couple of guys have turned out to be pretty successful in the league.
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 28: Nigel Bradham #13 of the Florida State Seminoles against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Nigel Bradham (LB) – 4th Round, 105th Pick, Buffalo Bills
Bradham was the leader of the best linebacking corps FSU had fielded in years. Heck, the position still hasn’t reached the levels it did while he was out on the field. Bradham had seen significant playing time since his freshman year and led the team in tackles in three straight seasons beginning in his sophomore campaign of 2009. Many who watched FSU knew that he had serious contributor potential at the next level.
After being taken in the fourth round by the Bills, Bradham vied for the strongside linebacker role not even halfway through the season. By Week 6, he had moved up from rotational rookie to full-blown starter. He had some troubles at the beginning, but by the end of the season, he had impressed the Bills’ coaches and fellow players. His second season however, was full of ups and downs and after getting arrested for marijuana possession, Bradham lost his starting spot due to poor play. He would earn it back at the end of the year after he showed coaches that it was just a little bit of a slump to begin the season.
2014 saw Bradham have the best statistical season of his career so far. He finished with 104 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception for a defense lauded as one of the NFL’s best. Bradham is now at the end of his rookie contract and is in talks with the Bills for an extension. He’s a very valuable player who has gotten better each season and looks to be one of the better fourth round picks of the past few years.
Zebrie Sanders (OT) – 5th Round, 144th Pick, Buffalo Bills
As a 2011 first team All-ACC selection, Sanders was another piece to the talented offensive lines that FSU has managed to produce recently. He started in 50 games as player in his four years on the team, good for second most all-time for any player in Florida State history. Unfortunately his professional career did not go as one would expect.
Sanders was injured for the entire 2012 NFL season before getting released by the Bills after only one year with the team. The latest news was that Sanders got signed by the Winnipeg Bombers of the Canadian Football League, where he hopes to revive his career.
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 26: Cornerback Mike Harris #1 of the Florida State Seminoles intercepts a second-quarter pass against the Florida Gators November 26, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Mike Harris (CB) – 6th Round, 176th Pick, Jacksonville Jaguars
Harris is often forgotten due to the names he shared the defensive backfield with. The third guy next to Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes, Harris primarily played the nickelback role while racking up respectable numbers in his two years at the school. Harris was originally a JUCO cornerback before transferring to Florida State, where he would combine for 99 tackles and five interceptions in his career.
In his first two NFL seasons with the Jaguars, Harris had 92 tackles and one interception after playing in 31 games and starting in eight. He was released by the Jaguars and bounced from the Detroit Lions’ practice squad to the New York Giants in October of 2014. Harris saw action in five Giants’ games, including a Week 17 performance where he had a combined 10 tackles and a pick. Overall, Harris has made a decent mark for a 6th round pick and looks to be in the league for at least a little while longer.
Andrew Datko (OT) – 7th Round, 241st Pick, Green Bay Packers
Andrew Datko was yet another four-year offensive line starter though his senior season was cut short by a shoulder injury. After earning freshman All-American honors by multiple publications in 2008, Datko had a fairly productive career for the Seminoles. While he was never outstanding, Datko was reliable and a good addition to the offensive line.
His NFL career seems to have ended early however. Datko was cut by the Packers in August of 2012, not even a season after they drafted him. The latest news seems to be that he is a free agent looking to get back into the league.
