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Derrick Brooks' son Decalon commits to play football at FSU

 
Published Aug. 19, 2016

Decalon Brooks will be following in his father's footsteps to Tallahassee.

The Gaither High senior linebacker announced Thursday night that he has orally committed to Florida State. His father, Bucs legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks, was a part of the Seminoles' 1993 national title team and has his No. 10 jersey retired there.

Brooks is one of Tampa Bay's top recruits for the class of 2017. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound athlete was No. 33 on the HomeTeam 100 after averaging 11.4 tackles per game during his junior season. The three-star recruit is regarded as one of the top 200 players in the state.

Brooks chose FSU over Louis­ville, Illinois, Florida Atlantic and Florida International, among others.

Oral commitments are nonbinding until recruits sign letters of intent during their senior year.

VOLS AD RETIRING: Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart will retire next summer after a tumultuous tenure that included consolidation of the men's and women's athletic departments, improvements in fundraising and facilities and the settlement of a Title IX lawsuit. Hart was Florida State's AD from 1995-2007. The announcement came six weeks after Tennessee reached a $2.48 million settlement in a Title IX lawsuit regarding its handling of assault and sexual assault complaints against athletes. "Sometimes you just know when it's time," said Hart, 67. Also, Vols offensive tackle Chance Hall had arthroscopic knee surgery and is out 4-6 weeks. He was competing to start. Tennessee hosts Florida on Sept. 24.

DUKE: Safety Phillip Carter and defensive tackle Brandon Boyce were suspended for the first three games (N.C. Central, Wake Forest and Northwestern). No reason was given.

Mississippi: Running back Jordan Wilkins was ruled ineligible because of lack of progress toward a degree.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.