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High School Sports | tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times and tbt*: Archives

January 16, 2008
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

High School Sports | tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times and tbt*: Archives

February 08, 2008
Alonso's McCallister "leaning toward FSU"

Alonso junior defensive lineman Demonte McCallister has seen his recruiting stock rise since the holiday break, with SEC schools like Florida, Auburn and, most recently Georgia offering him.

But the way it's looking so far, McCallister likes his first offer - Florida State - the best.

McCallister, an explosive, 6-foot-3, 240 pound tackle, said there's a long way to go - including several trips - but right now, "I'm leaning toward FSU."

Florida State signed three bay area standouts on Wednesday, with Hillsborough defensive lineman Moses McCray, Middleton tailback Carlton Jones and Plant tackle Rhonne Sanderson.

-- JOE SMITH

High School Sports | tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times and tbt*: Archives

March 11, 2008
LSU offers Alonso star

Will Plant quarterback Aaron Murray be the county's most highly recruited football player in the Class of 2009? Maybe. Maybe not. The way things are looking, three standouts could give him a run for that title -- defensive end Ryne Giddins of Armwood, linebacker Petey Smith of Armwood, and last but not least, defensive tackle Demonte McAllister of Alonso.

On Tuesday, McAllister picked up what arguably is his biggest scholarship offer to date when national champion LSU pulled the trigger (McAllister confirmed the offer to the Times). Auburn, Florida, Florida State (the first to jump on board), Georgia and Tennessee are some of the other programs that previously offered. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is preparing for his college boards as we speak. He is scheduled to take the ACT in April and will take the SAT sometime after that.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR & JOE SMITH