Ga. Tech WR won Bobby Bowden golf tournament

Georgia Tech receiver Andrew Smith had his picture taken with Florida State coach Bobby Bowden in May.

Smith, his father, Barry — who was an All-American receiver at FSU in 1972 — and two other former Seminoles competed as a foursome in Bowden’s annual golf tournament in Tampa.

“We ended up winning it,” Smith said. “I was head to toe in Georgia Tech stuff and when I went to take the picture with Bobby, he kind of gave me a look like, ‘Whoa, buddy.’ “

Smith grew up in Tampa, awash in Seminoles lore. His dad is a Seminoles great who went on to play four seasons in the NFL. Barry Smith and his wife, Mary Ann Stiles, are significant donors to FSU, and the complex housing the softball and soccer offices is named after them.

Many of Andrew Smith’s relatives attended FSU, and he might go there for law school.

“About a dozen family members are coming, and it will probably end up being more,” Smith said. “At this point, I’m trying to find tickets.”

The senior earned a scholarship after coming to Tech as a preferred walk-on. A backup at punt returner and receiver, he played in 11 games last season but only the season opener this season.

What would it mean for him to play Saturday?

“When I saw this game on the schedule, senior year, I didn’t know it was going to be Senior Day, but it would mean the world,” he said. “Growing up going to FSU games, getting to say I got to play against Florida State, that would mean everything.”

Richard a finalist for national award

The honors keeps coming for Darryl Richard.

On Wednesday, the defensive tackle was named one of 15 finalists for the Draddy Trophy and awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship.

Nominated by Tech, Richard easily fit the requirements: a GPA of 3.2 or better, outstanding performance on the field, strong leadership and citizenship. All the finalists will be honored at the National Football Foundation’s Dec. 9 dinner in New York.

One of the 15 will win the Draddy Trophy, given to the top scholar-athlete in the nation. The award honors former NFF Chairman Vincent DePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands.

The award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the winner’s scholarship to $25,000.