Sarasota's James Buchanan Accepts Football Scholarship Offer to Further His Education at Florida State University

Business Wire, Oct 24, 2000

Sports Editors/College Football Writers/Columnists

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SARASOTA, Fla.--(BW SportsWire)--Oct. 24, 2000

Cardinal Mooney's James Buchanan, considered by some high school scouting bureaus as one of the top fullback prospects in the country, has verbally accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University.

"Florida State is a school with a great tradition, a great coaching staff and the best of everything -- academically and athletically," stated Buchanan. "All of the schools I visited were impressive, but Florida State offered the best opportunity for me."

Buchanan, a three-year letterman, selected Florida State over schools such as Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Boston College, LSU, Purdue, Miami and Notre Dame. In all, he has received more than 25 scholarship offers from Division I universities. While at Florida State, Buchanan plans to major in Business Administration.

"James is the whole package," stated Mike Dowling, head coach, Cardinal Mooney High School. "He is 6'2, 240 and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. He is the strongest high school athlete that I have ever come in contact with in 30 years of coaching. Off the field, James is an excellent student (3.5 GPA) and of high moral character. He is a positive role model for all of the kids in our program."

Many scouting bureaus rank Buchanan as the top fullback in the country, including Rival's 100, Floridaprepfootball.com and Eagleaction.com. Additionally, Tom Lemming, ESPN and editor, Prep Football Report, ranks him as one of the top fullbacks in the country and as one of the top 100 overall; and lonestarrecruiting.com lists him as one of the top five fullbacks in the country (26th best overall running back).

For more information, please contact Mike Dowling, head coach, Cardinal Mooney High School, at 941/371-4917.

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