Wharton High’s Auden Tate has made his decision: he will attend Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on a football scholarship, following his graduation after this upcoming school year.
During an August 5 press conference at Wharton High, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa, Tate made his announcement to a room full of coaches, family and friends, officially making the decision to join the Seminoles, who won the BCS National Championship this past season. However, Tate, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound senior wide receiver/tight end, will first play one more season at Wharton.
“It was a hard choice, but I’m picking one school that I love a lot,” Tate said, before donning an FSU t-shirt and visor to a room full of applause.
Tate said his decision partly was due to the experience he had while visiting the Tallahassee campus. Tate said that the coaches really clicked with his parents and him, especially FSU’s head strength & conditioning coach Vic Viloria.
“Some schools tell you that you have the skills you need,” Tate explained. “(Coach Vic) said he’d be on me and tell my parents and make me be the best that I can be. I respect him for being up-front with me and not promising me anything. He promised me the opportunity to work and compete for a spot on the team.”
Tate said that when he first went to Tallahassee, he wasn’t expecting much and actually was more interested in the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, but after speaking with the coaching staff, his decision was clear: he would join the Seminole Nation.
Tate said that his time at Wharton has prepared him well to head to FSU in 2015. In his 10 games played last season, Tate made 49 receptions for 815 total yards and five touchdowns. He  says that Wharton head coach David Mitchell has instilled strict discipline in him, as well as the rest of the team, that will help him in college.
“Coach Mitchell stays on us,” Tate explained. “He really makes us each accountable for all of our actions.”
Mitchell said that Tate made a good decision.
“For one thing, he’s still close to home,” Mitchell said. “His parents can always come watch him play. He’s well-grounded and (co-offensive coordinator/wide receiving) Coach Dawsey is a great coach. He’ll be like a father-figure to (Tate). I think that’s the right environment for him.”
Mitchell joked that the cold weather in Michigan might have been a little shocking and swayed Tate’s decision, adding that having this decision out of the way going into his last season at Wharton will relieve some pressure.
“Now, it’s just about going out there and having fun,” Mitchell said.
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