TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State stars Cameron Erving, Rashad Greene and Tre’ Jackson announced on Wednesday they will return to FSU for their final seasons of eligibility.
Erving, a redshirt junior left tackle, Greene, a junior wide receiver, and Jackson, a junior right guard, were all First Team All-ACC selections and leaders on a Seminole team that finished undefeated (14-0) and captured the BCS National Championship with a 34-31 victory over Auburn on Monday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
In addition to First Team All-ACC honors, Erving garnered several All-America First Team accolades, including from the Sporting News, USA Today and Sports Illustrated.com.
The converted defensive tackle from Moultrie, Ga., protected Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston’s blindside and captured the Jacobs Blocking Trophy given to the ACC’s top blocker as voted on by the league’s coaches and defensive coordinators in the process.
“We have something really special going on here at Florida State,” Erving said. “Of course, I want to be a part of that. I want to mature and grow as a player before I make that big step to the NFL. I enjoy playing for Coach (Jimbo) Fisher and I love the support of our fans. This decision is the best for myself and my family. I’m coming back to school to finish my degree, to improve as a player and lead the Seminoles to another successful season during my last year of college football.”
Greene led FSU in receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,128) in 2013, while also catching nine touchdowns. He capped his junior campaign by tallying nine receptions and 147 yards in the BCS National Championship Game, including a clutch 49-yard grab with 1:05 left during FSU’s game-winning drive.
The Albany, Ga., native will enter his senior season ranking fourth in FSU history in career receptions (171), sixth in yards (2,465) and seventh in touchdown receptions (22).
“We aren’t finished with what we started here at Florida State,” Greene said. “These are my brothers and we are continuing to build something special in Tallahassee. After talking with Coach Fisher, Coach (Lawrence) Dawsey and my family, I know that this is the best decision for my future. I want to finish my degree and improve as a player and a leader while helping FSU capture even more success with my teammates and coaches next season.”
Jackson has started 28 games since being inserted into the lineup at the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl and been one of the most consistent forces on the Seminole offensive line.
The Jesup, Ga., native had the second-highest average grade (80.2) on the FSU offensive line behind All-American senior center Bryan Stork heading into the BCS National Championship. The 6-4, 330-pound Jackson also captured All-America Second Team accolades from CBSSports.com and honorable mention All-America honors from SportsIllustrated.com this season.
“After talking to my family and coaches, I decided the best decision for me is to return to Florida State for my senior season,” Jackson said. “I want to build on the success we had this season and improve as a player while finishing my degree.”
This season, Erving, Greene and Jackson were leaders on an FSU offense that set the national FBS record for points in a season (723), while leading the ACC and ranking sixth in the nation in total offense (519.1 yards per game).
“I’m very excited for Cam, Rashad and Tre’ to be coming back to our program,” Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “They were major impact guys for us this year. I think they will all have tremendous careers here at Florida State. After each of them met with their families and our coaches, and all the information was gathered, they each decided it was best for their future that they return to Florida State. We are very excited to have them back.
“We are looking forward to having another great season. As they said – we’re not finished with what we started. Those three guys are a huge part of our future.”
Fisher also confirmed that junior running back James Wilder, Jr. will not return to the Seminoles next season.
“James contributed a lot to our success these past three seasons,” Fisher said. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
