By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Florida State has fallen on hard times recently, but they used to be one of the best football programs in the nation.

The Seminoles have produced several talented players that have had success in the NFL. I’m going to look at the best players in program history.

Chris Weinke (1997-2000): This is a name that may be forgotten, and I don’t know why. Weinke played minor league baseball right after high school so it took him a few years to arrive in Tallahassee. He was 25 when he enrolled at FSU and he did not become a starter until the following year.

As a Sophomore in 1998 he led the Seminoles to a 9-1 record before suffering a season ending neck injury against Virginia.

In 1999 FSU went undefeated and beat Virginia Tech in the national championship game.

As a senior, in 2000, Weinke led the nation in passing yards with 4,167 and 33 touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Award. FSU played in their third consecutive national championship game. He finished his career with a 32-3 record.

Peter Warrick (1995-99): He’s one of the best wide receivers in program history.

Warrick was First-team All-ACC three times and a consensus All-American twice.

Statistically his junior year was the best. He had 1,232 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He had another rushing TD.

He was suspended two games his senior year, but he still had 934 yards, 8 receiving touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns. In the national championship game, he had over 160 receiving yards and 3 TD’s.

Warrick Dunn (1993-96): He was First-team All-ACC three times and a Second-team All-American in 1996.

He rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. He rushed for 1,026 in 1994, 1,242 in 1995 and 1,180 in 1996. He holds the receiving TD record with 31.

Dalvin Cook (2014-16): I knew he was a good player, but I was surprised to find out he’s the leading rusher in school history. He ran for 4,464 yards in his three seasons.

He also has the best rushing season in program history with 1,765 yards in 2016. He was a two time First-team All-American. Cook is also the rushing touchdown leader with 46.

Charlie Ward (1989-93): He started his final two years and he drastically improved.

As a junior he passed for 2,647 yards, 22 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. As a senior he had 3,032 yards, 27 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

In 1993 he won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award. He led Florida State to their first national championship. They beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 18-16.

Terrell Buckley (1989-91): He’s the school interception leader with 21. He has the most picks in a season with 12 in 1991.

He won the Jim Thorpe Award and Jack Tatum Trophy in 1991.

Deion Sanders (1985-89): Prime Time is tied with Lee Corso for third in interceptions with 14. He also played baseball and ran track.

He was a two-time unanimous All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award (1988). He also had his jersey retired.

Peter Boulware (1994-96): He’s second in career sacks with 34. He had 19 sacks in 1996.

He was a consensus All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 96.

Jameis Winston: He was 26-1 as a starter.

He won the Heisman Trophy as a redshirt freshman and led the team to an undefeated season and national championship.

In his career he completed 66% of his passes for 7,964 yards and 65 touchdowns.