Tomahawk Nation readers are voting on the All-Jimbo Fisher Team (Florida State edition). To be eligible, a player must have played for head coach Jimbo Fisher (2010-2013). The qualifications are completely up to you. Do you value overall numbers, or fleeting greatness?
Previously: Quarterback | Running Back | Fullback| Tight End | Receiver | Tackle | Guard | Center | Defensive End
We're picking three linebackers. This won't be easy. Let's get to their Florida State bios from the media guide.
Kendall Smith
2010:A second-year starter at middle linebacker for the Seminoles who flourished as one of the most consistent performers in FSU's new defensive scheme...ranked second on the team with a single-season, career-high 97 tackles and led the team with 55 solo stops...had 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble to his credit this season...registered double-digit tackles twice in 2010, including a team-leading and career-high 15 stops (nine solos) at NC State, where he also recovered a fumble...also notched 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, in FSU's win over Clemson...had nine tackles (eight solos) in FSU's road win at Miami.
Nigel Bradham
Three-year starter at weakside linebacker who became the first Seminole since consensus All-American Marvin Jones (1990-92) to lead FSU in tackles three consecutive seasons...finished with a four-year total of 306 tackles and his 21.5 career tackles for loss rank 25th in school history.
Anchor of the defense who earned All-ACC honorable mention in helping FSU rank as the No. 4 defense nationally - second-best defense against the run and No. 20 in pass defense...named a team captain, one of three defensive Most Valuable Players and the recipient of the Bill McGrotha Humanitarian Award at the team's annual banquet... closed final season with 86 tackles while also leading FSU in tackles in 2009 (93) and 2010 (98)...led the Seminoles with nine tackles in their 18-14 Champs Sports Bowl win over Notre Dame, including his second interception of the season, which led to FSU's go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter...had a career-best 13 tackles against Virginia...made 10 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had a half-tackle for loss against Miami...had a career-best two tackles for loss at Wake Forest...led FSU in tackles versus Boston College (seven) and at Duke (eight) and tied for team-lead versus Maryland (seven)...had eight tackles at Clemson...tied for team-lead with nine stops versus Oklahoma and added an interception...finished with 39 career starts, including his final 37 games...participated in December 2011 graduation commencement...was a preseason candidate for the Bednarik, Nagurski and Butkus awards...one of six Seminoles to earn community service awards at the conclusion of spring practice.
Vince Williams
All-ACC (Honorable Mention) Phil Steele Postseason All-ACC (Second Team) Under Armour Senior Bowl Selection
2012: Senior who started all 14 games for FSU at the middle linebacker spot...helped Florida State's defense lead the nation in yards allowed per play (3.86), rank second nationally in total defense (254.14 ypg) and rank in the top six nationally in scoring defense (14.71 ppg), rushing defense (92.29 ypg), pass defense (161.86 ypg), pass efficiency defense (95.43) and opponent three-and-outs (6.29 per game)finished fourth on the team with 59 tackles as he eclipsed 50 tackles for the second straight season...recorded five or more tackles in seven of his 14 games...set a career-high with 10 tackles in the Orange Bowl win over Northern Illinois which included his first sack of the season...set a career high with 6.5 tackles for loss for the season and a new career best with two stops behind the line in the ACC Championship Game win over Georgia Tech...had a big game in a key road win at Virginia Tech recording five tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery...recorded tackles for loss in four of the last five games...named one of four team captains and given the Leadership Award on defense at the team's annual banquet.
Christian Jones
All-ACC Second Team Coaches All-ACC Second Team 2013: A versatile player who moved all over the defense in his career and assumed the role of an edge pass rusher from his strong-side LB position in the latter half of the season...move led to a career-best 8.0 TFL to go along with multiple sacks for the third time in his four-year career...named one of the best in the ACC by Athlon, the league's media and coaches...led the team with six quarterback hurries, twice as many as any other Seminole...had 56 tackles...was tied for fourth on the team in TFL (8.0) and tied for fourth in sacks (2.0)...tied for the team lead with five tackles at Florida, including 2.0 tackles for loss...posted eight tackles - including 2.0 TFLs and a sack - at Clemson...made eight stops against Pitt in the season-opener on Sept. 2...recorded seven tackles - including a tackle for loss - against Boston College...made the first interception of his career and added a tackle and a QB hurry at Wake Forest...four tackles with a 1-yard sack against NC State...leader on nation's top-ranked scoring defense (12.1 ppg) and third-ranked total defense (281.4 ypg)...competed in the Senior Bowl.
Telvin Smith
SI.com All-America Honorable Mention Coaches All-ACC First Team All-ACC Second Team
2013: FSU's leading tackler (90) and one of the senior leaders who played a huge role on and off the field in leading the Seminoles to the VIZIO BCS National Championship game when he had a career-best 15 tackles... first `Nole in 20 years with two pick-6s in a season (68-yd TD vs. B-CU and 79-yd TD vs. Idaho)...in 18th place in FSU history with 29.0 tackles for loss...second on the team in TFL (9.5)...second on the team in interceptions and leads the defense in interception return yards (3-147)...named ACC Linebacker of the Week on Sept. 30 and Co-LB of the Week on Oct. 21...tied a career high with 2.0 tackles for loss in the season opener at Pitt on Sept. 2...returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown against Bethune-Cookman...tied a career high with 2.0 tackles for loss, recorded his first sack of the season and finished with 10 total tackles at Boston College on Sept. 28...made five tackles and was credited with a pass break-up against Maryland...tied a career high with 11 tackles, including 1.0 TFL and a pass break-up at Clemson...posted six tackles, one pass break-up and recovered a fumble against NC State...four tackles, with 1.0 tackles for loss against Miami...had three tackles, including 0.5 TFL, at Wake Forest...registered four tackles, 1.0 TFL and a pass break-up against Syracuse...made four tackles and returned an interception 79 yards for a TD against Idaho; it was his second INT and TD of the season...recorded three tackles and recovered a fumble at Florida...had a monster ACC Championship Game with eight tackles, two TFL, an INT and a sack leading the team in each of those categories except tackles, which he was second...leader on nation top-ranked scoring defense (12.1 ppg) and interceptions leader (26)...competed in the Senior Bowl.