Nnadi among FSU’s Senior Day honorees
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi will never forget the first spat he had with his position coach as a freshman with the Seminoles.
“You know how Odell Haggins has a reputation for being hard on his players,” Nnadi said, recalling the lighthearted episode earlier this week.
“It was one day, during team practice, he was really hard on me, in my face, like, ‘Son, you’re soft. You’re soft. You’re soft.’ And it got to me a little bit.
“I was like, ‘Coach, why did you recruit me then?’ And everybody has been talking about that ever since.”
From that moment, Nnadi learned how to accept the coaching from Haggins, a former FSU nose guard from 1986-89 and the school’s longesttenured assistant coach in his 23rd season.
At first, Nnadi walked away after the episode because, he said, “I was so upset.”
But later, Nnadi said he learned how to listen to what Haggins was saying instead of the way he was sharing the advice.
As his senior year is winding to an end with three games left on the FSU regular-season schedule, Nnadi says Haggins’ teachings have helped him grow on and off the football field.
“At the end of the day, he always looks out for me. He’s a great role model in my life right now even though sometimes I feel like he’s out to get me,” Nnadi said with affection.
“He’s one of the best people in the world and one of the best people to rely on.”
During Florida State’s noon game today against Delaware State in Doak Campbell Stadium, the Seminoles will salute Nnadi and 16 other seniors who have experienced the peaks and valleys of college football success during their careers.
Fifth-year players like safety Nate Andrews, linebacker Matthew Thomas, running back Ryan Green and linebacker Ro’Derrick Hoskins — a former Orlando Evans standout — are the last remaining members of FSU’s 2013 nationaltitle team.
Four-year players like Nnadi, safety Trey Marshall, linebacker Jacob Pugh, receiver/safety Ermon Lane, offensive lineman Rick Leonard, longsnapper Stephen Gabbard and defensive back/receiver Malique Jackson will also be honored along with former UCF graduate transfer Jamario Mathis and walk-ons Richard Garzola, Bobby Lyons, Herbans Paul and Joshua Peters.
The ending to their careers this season is not ideal, with the Seminoles (3-6) needing wins in their final three games to become bowl eligible.
But the group of departing Seminoles has helped the program win an ACC title and earn the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance in 2014 and played in three consecutive New Year’s Six bowls, including last year’s win over Michigan in the Orange Bowl.
“We honor and cherish every moment they’ve been here, and I think we need to show them a great celebration,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said.
After the Delaware State game, FSU will renew its longtime state rivalry at Florida on Nov. 25 and finish the regular season at home against Louisiana Monroe on Dec. 2 with hopes of continuing a longstanding Seminoles tradition.
Since 1981, FSU has played in a bowl game and the Seminoles hope to extend the nation’s longest bowl streak to 36 years by becoming bowl eligible at season’s end.
“They’ve been focused,” Fisher said of his players after practice Thursday. “They want to send the seniors out the right way.’’