Fisher lauds Freeman, Rhodes deals

TALLAHASSEE – Several players from Florida State’s record of 29 NFL draft picks from 2013-2015 are starting to cash in with their second professional contracts.

The Atlanta Falcons made Devonta Freeman the highest paid running back in the NFL after he agreed to a new five-year deal worth $41.25 million this week. Former CB Xavier Rhodes inked a contract extension for five years, $70 million in the last week of July.

“I’m happy as heck. I’m so proud. I’m just so happy for those guys,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said of his former players after Thursday’s practice. “Nobody works harder for those guys. They’re better human beings than they are players, and we’ve seen what kind of players they are.” “I’m so happy for them, and it’s very well-deserved.” The new deals bring the total salaries for Florida State’s 29 picks to more than $200 million.

Freshman S Cyrus Fagan, who enrolled as four-star prospect from Daytona Beach Mainland, will be out three to four weeks after having surgery to correct a meniscus injury.

Fisher said the injury was unique in the sense that Fagan needed to have extra cartilage in his knee removed.

Redshirt senior LB Matthew Thomas and redshirt junior RB Johnathan Vickers missed their third consecutive days of practice due to illness.

“We’ve had about three, four, five guys get that. It’s weird to get in August,” Fisher said. “Even our assistant was out a couple days. I’m ready to get them back, I’ll tell you that.”

Next game: FSU vs. Alabama (Atlanta), Sept. 2, 8 p.m., ABC