By Heath Bradley.

By Heath Bradley

CLEMSON – February 2, 2011 is a day Clemson linebacker Tony Steward will always remember. Over a year and a half later, Steward, as well as most Clemson and Florida State fans remember his decision to attend Clemson over his childhood favorite.

At a school filled with mostly FSU fans, Steward shocked them all, deciding to become a Clemson Tiger. When asked about the scene, Steward smiled, and explained to reporters about the day in question.

“On signing day a bunch of kids at my school figured I would choose Florida State, so they had their own cheering section. It was not as dramatic as the fight song playing, but it was pretty close,” he said.

Steward’s decision to pick Clemson did not seem to go over well with the students at first, however, he says they were happy for him in the long run.

“For the most part, I think the majority of them were stunned,” he said. “After about a second, they erupted into a cheer. They were excited no matter what.”

As No. 10 Clemson heads to Tallahassee to take on the fourth-ranked Seminoles, Steward remembers his childhood, pulling for the Seminoles while growing up.

“I am pretty excited about it. I obviously grew up an FSU fan,” he said. “I feel like it is going to be a very exciting game.”

Steward’s excitement to return to his home state and play in a game against a school that he almost attended is something he seems to have been looking toward.

“The official visit there was good. I thought it was going to be the place I committed to,” he said. “Being there and being on the opposite end will feel kind of weird.”

While Steward is excited to return to Florida, he seems very pleased with his decision to become a Tiger, focusing not on the return to FSU, but more on the game itself.

“It is not necessarily a dream come true,” he said. “I feel like it is going to be a fun, competitive, four-quarter game.”

Saturday night will also be a chance for Steward to see a number of players he became close with during the recruiting process. The Clemson linebacker is excited to showcase his talents on the opposite side of the ball from so many players he grew very close with.

“I have known a good amount of them for a few years now,” he said. “I feel like it is going to be a good opportunity to get back and see them, but play on the other side of the ball.”