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Bowden has a backup plan that he has successfully turned to for
years that will reduce his fears. Bowden is fortunate enough
to be at a school popular with walk-on players who will do just about
anything for a chance to play.
If the Seminoles get comfortable with the score, Bowden will try to
avoid another serious injury to by
turning to a former walk-on
Ryan Reynolds.
"Ultimately my goal is to get my chance at tailback,´´ said Reynolds, who played some special teams as a walk-on for three years before being awarded a scholarship in August. Prior to enrolling at FSU, he had the U.S. Naval Academy and Army competing to have him
play football and attend school at no cost.
After six months in the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Reynolds
realized two things: ``The military wasn´t for me and I wanted to play football for one of the Florida schools.''
He paid his way into FSU and was rewarded further last week when he
got a chance to carry the ball twice, gaining three yards.
Reynolds isn't alone in giving FSU additional reserves. Former walk-
on James Coleman started at fullback and close to a dozen former walk-ons now are on scholarship.
``It´s huge,´´ FSU recruiting coordinator John Lilly said of the contribution walk-ons make to the Seminoles' success.
``Look at how many guys here in the walk-on program have ended up
eventually starting or playing a key role. Some of them have even gone on and played in the NFL [including Shevin Smith with the Bucs and Andre Wadsworth, a first-round pick with the Cardinals].
``Some of those guys are guys who would have been on scholarship
somewhere if there wasn't the 85 limit, so you end up getting some
really good players.''
Jesuit High graduate Garrison Sanborn is one of three walk-ons competing to become FSU's long snapper in 2004. The winner will get a scholarship and will take the place of former walk- on Brian Sawyer.
``They don´t have money to give to everybody,´´ Reynolds said. ``Some
of these guys performed better in high school and they rightfully got the scholarship. But you can pay your dues and then maybe get some money further down the line.
``That´s the way I looked at it and I have never had any regrets.´´
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