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Friday, January 25, 2008

Florida State's Losses Continue

Xavier Lee, Florida State's backup quarterback, was asked to move to tight end for the 2008 season after a rocky career at FSU. Xavier's answer was simple, "No." He chose to file for the 2008 NFL draft along with star linebacker Geno Hayes and big defensive lineman Letroy Guion.

Xavier Lee had only started 6 games in his three seasons at Florida State including his first game off the bench in the 07-08 season against Alabama in which FSU won. After being benched after a mistake-filled loss against rival Miami, Xavier Lee never saw the field again. Lee was suspended for two games within the season for academic reasons, and then again for the bowl game and the first few games of the 08 season for a online-class cheating scandal with 30 more FSU athletes.

Geno Hayes, like Lee, had been suspended for two weeks for a nightclub mishap, and Guion was one of the three dozen players to be suspended for the scandal. These penalties will have no effect after signing for the draft.

Florida State, losing players left and right, continues to lose people to the draft and the ongoing cheating scandal. Over a dozen players will miss the start of the 08 season. But, on a bright note, in the Music City Bowl against Kentucky, Florida State showed some growth and maturity through the loss of over 35 athletes and brings yet another shimmering glimpse of hope to the FSU campus and fanbase.

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