Rutherford grad Lampkin earns scholarship at Florida State
Ben Lampkin’s dedication has paid off.Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden announced on Thursday that the senior walk-on was placed on scholarship for the 2008 season. On Friday, Lampkin was named one of three team captains.
Lampkin, a Rutherford graduate, was a special teams contributor last season, moving from linebacker to defensive end to provide depth for the Seminoles in the Music City Bowl against Kentucky.
“We usually have one available before school starts and if I have a deserving walk-on I try to give it to him,” Bowden said. “He was our backup end in the Kentucky game, played a lot, has practiced real good, hustles real good and he’s earned a scholarship.”
The 6-foot, 221-pound Lampkin had a career-high seven tackles, four solos, last season, including two against Virginia Tech. He is listed as the backup right end behind Everette Brown. Lampkin figures to see ample time in the first three games, as several players will be suspended due to an academic cheating scandal.
FSU’s depth is a concern, and the team will be without three more players for an extended period. Linebacker Aaron Gresham and safety Ed Imeokparia recently were lost with torn ACLs and place-kicker/punter Graham Gano had knee surgery on Friday and will miss four-to-six weeks.
Backup kicker Zach Hobby, who played at Delaware last season, will take over for Gano. Hobby was 8 for 14 and kicked a career-long 45-yarder last season.
“You hate to see Graham go down, or any guy for that matter,” Hobby said. “I’ve been preparing myself to be the No. 1 guy the entire time so nothing will change for me in how I approach the season.”
Backup quarterback Christian Ponder was held out of practice on Thursday with shoulder soreness. The injury is not believed to be serious, and Bowden said it’s typical for this time of year when quarterbacks are throwing at a higher rate than they are used to in the summer.
Ponder pinpointed the pain to his rotator cuff. He said he had similar trouble last season, but only missed a day of practice.
FSU practiced on Friday in front of the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay. The team is scheduled for a scrimmage late Saturday, but Bowden said it could be moved to Monday.
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