Alonso's McCallister gets "surprise" - FSU offer
For Alonso junior defensive lineman Demonte McCallister, Wednesday started off like any regular school day.
But it ended as one he likely won't soon forget.
FSU assistant coach Odell Haggins came on campus to visit McCallister and offered him a scholarship (McCallister's first).
McCallister, an explosive 6-foot-3, 250 pound tackle who runs a 4.6 40, had eight sacks last season.
"I was surprised," McCallister said. "I hadn't talked to them - never - they dropped in and offered. It's exciting."
McCallister said he was a FSU fan growing up, although he had a little help.
"My mom (Katrina Daniels) was an FSU fan," McCallister said. "So I did too."
McCallister's teammate, senior defensive end Jamal Crook will start his three week college visit spree this weekend with a trip to Murray State, then Tennessee State (Jan. 25) followed by Georgia Southern (Feb. 2)
-- JOE SMITH
The St. Petersburg Times High School Sports blog is written and compiled by the Times preps sports staff from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We invite your participation in the comments area.
i thought coaches were not allowed to talk to juniors yet
Posted by: michael | January 17, 2008 at 06:29 AM
what offical combine did he run a 4.6 40 in? Unless there is a verified digital time from a combine, please don't print players 40 times, coaches exaggerate ridiculously. Not saying he can't run a 4.6 but on what basis do you print that?
Posted by: joe | January 18, 2008 at 07:19 PM
fyi: I attended the combine at Raymond James Stadium when DeMonte ran a 4.6...
What's wrong with reporting something positive. This past season, I have witness his stacts being misrecorded. Please don't judge him. My son is a champion in my eyesight. I am so proud of his determination.
Posted by: Katina Daniels(Demonte's mother) | January 18, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Ive seen the man in action ..he is the real deal...check his resume...haters should fall back and let the man shine...coaches of these major schools wouldnt offer him if he wasnt the truth..hes a beast
Posted by: George Alexander | January 18, 2008 at 09:54 PM
No disrespect to Demonte, I hope he has the best success. I was merely asking the writer to be sure when he quotes stats regarding a player to be sure it can be verified because many coaches exaggerate for headlines. I have read some ridiculous stats on players I knew were being "inflated". All I ask is fact checking- to be fair to all athletes. Best wishes to Demonte.
Posted by: joe | January 20, 2008 at 01:31 AM
"IT IS WHAT IT IS"!
When you have "GOD" on your side...
ummm let's see..what did GOD say...
"oh yeah" I know..."No weapon formed against me shall prosper"! So a lot of things that seems impossible to men is possible with "GOD"! So keep your eyes on DeMonte and watch how far GOD takes him...he has a lot of praying family members and friends.
Be Blessed! :O)...
Posted by: Ann Hammond | January 22, 2008 at 01:56 PM