Salisbury Post Online:  Local news, weather, sports and more!
Serving historic Rowan County, North Carolina since 1905.

Maddox still people's choice

BY MIKE LONDON
SALISBURY POST

In North Carolina, obviously, Maddox is still the people's choice.

"We're just waiting on Nick," said a small girl decked out in red and gold. "You think he'll sign my ball?"

An adult fan with arrow-shaped war paint daubed on both cheeks waited with his wife and daughter. He too, was straining his eyes, trying to ascertain if any of the departing 'Noles might be Maddox.

"Could you point Nick out to us when he comes out?" he pleaded.

"You'll know him," I assured him, "He'll be the last one."

Maddox was going to be the last one out, because before he could hit the showers, he was surrounded by N.C. reporters, who knew this would be his only visit to the state this season.

A TV camera was in his face, as were a half-dozen tape recorders. His teammates looked on and laughed-- giggled at the kid who had just amassed a modest 39 yards in 10 carries and pulled in one pass for 21 yards, and was being treated like a Heisman candidate.

Maddox smiled and laughed too, because it was nice to be back in the limelight again, and he was enjoying himself.

Twice the state's prep player of the year, Maddox played an unearthly game the last time he set foot in Kenan Stadium. And reporters remembered.

That was in December 1997, when he was ill and still managed to score four touchdowns about as quickly as the Seminole first-stringers scored four TDs on the Tar Heels on Saturday.

The first questions directed at Maddox were about that night of nights.

"What was it like coming back to this field?"  they demanded.

"I thought about that night when I went out there but not for long," Maddox said. "I still love the Wonders, but it's a new day and a new way. High school was fun, but you have to move on and try to keep doing more special things."

Maddox is sure that he will do special things for the Seminoles-- in time. Running backs coach Billy Sexton is equally sure. "We're excited about Nick," he says. "He's doing extremely well-- on the field and in the classroom."

Florida State hands out "tomahawks" for strong academic performances. While he waits for more carries, Maddox is piling up the team lead in the "tomahawk" category.

Maddox showed some flashes on the field Saturday too. Showed why the Seminoles were so excited about him in the first place. He had a couple of strong runs for first downs. Then late in the game, he gathered in that 21-yard reception and evaded three Heels before he was brought down.

But right now, Maddox plays behind All-America candidate Travis Minor. He also often watches Jeff Chaney, a combination tailback/fullback who could be a star most places.

Both Chaney and Minor are juniors, and Maddox is certain his day will come, and that he is in the perfect place to put his enormous talents to use.

"The important thing for me right now is patience," said Maddox, who at times prowled the sidelines like a caged lion. "If I'm patient, I'll be a success here."

There's a tradeoff, of course, for not playing as much as Maddox would like. And that's being part of the nation's top-ranked team-- a squad with an excellent chance to give him a second championship ring.

"We're winning and I'm having fun," said Maddox. "I love Florida State."

When Maddox says that, you can believe it. Once you know him, you know he'd rather gain 1 yard and win, then score three touchdowns and experience the misery that was running through the UNClocker room Saturday.

Maddox, who started wearing No. 20 again recently when a teammate transferred, has changed a bit since his high school days. Physically, he's added a few pounds, a tattoo to his left bicep, and his hair's shorter. Emotionally, he's changed too. The look in his eyes says he's working hard on mastering that elusive quality known as patience.

n

Maddox says that practice is at once the toughest and most beneficial thing at this point for his career.

"I get hit in practice like you wouldn't believe," he says, rubbing a shoulder. "The talent on this team-- the speed, the strength.

"Not that everyone we play is terrible, but I still haven't seen anyone like I see across from me in practice. And everyone knows if they don't bust their tails in practice, they won't play at all the next week. It's tough. It's fast-paced."

Maddox also admits that his pass-blocking has got to improve before he gets more minutes.  In high school, he either ran the ball or was out on a pass pattern. Now, part of his job description is to take on on-rushing linemen and linebackers.

He was 1-for-2 on pass-blocking on Saturday. He knocked down Carolina's Shawn Woodard, but was in turn flattened by Tar Heel freshman Malcolm Stewart, who didn't get the quarterback, but certainly did get Maddox.

"I thought I did fair today," Maddox said softly, when asked to assess his performance. "I guess I did all right. If I'm patient, it'll all work out."

It's the same thing for all those people waiting on his autograph. They've gotta be patient. Chances are there'll be line every time he visits this close to home.

n

Mike London covers college football for the Post.