Florida State Spring Camp Observations: Defense Stands Tall as Seminoles Hit Stretch Run of Spring

Defense comes out on top as the Seminoles battle inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

Thursday's practice provided something new for Florida State as the team took the session inside Doak Campbell Stadium, which they've only done for scrimmages. Competing on Bobby Bowden Field with music pumping through the stadium forced the Seminoles to step up their intensity. The bar was raised during a day that was slightly shorter than some of the others but still extremely physical.

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For one of the few times this spring, Trey Benson and the rest of the running backs were out of the green non-contact jerseys. That meant live action for the backfield with plenty of reps down on the goal line. Regardless, the defense come out on top as the unit won a competition against the offense and forced plenty of sacks and deflections in the process.

NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and jotted down some observations below of some aspects that stood out during the session.

— Practice was a little shorter on Thursday so FSU stripped the special team's portion of the day and focused primarily on team drills and other competitive settings. Tyler Keltner and Ryan Fitzgerald were both able to get a little bit of work. Keltner connected on kicks from 51 yards and 31 yards out. Fitzgerald made his lone attempt from about 20 yards.

— A large crop of recruits were in attendance for the session and viewed the practice from the sidelines.

OFFENSE:

— Instead of the typical two minute/tempo drill to begin practice, the offense was matched up against the defense with over 90 yards to go. Jordan Travis couldn't get much going on his series but Tate Rodemaker was able to get the offense in a rhythm. He got the unit moving by drawing a penalty on a throw to Hykeem Williams. Rodney Hill made a couple of plays, including a catch out of the backfield. The offense was forced into fourth down but Trey Benson caught one out of the backfield for a conversion. Rodemaker ended up threading a nice pass to Williams for a score with defenders in the area. The true freshman had to extend his hands to secure the catch.

— Rodney Hill continues to impress this spring. Outside of the plays mentioned above, he made a nice cut through a hole that was opened up by Julian Armella. Also had a catch on a play-action that probably would've been a touchdown in a game scenario.

— Johnny Wilson redeemed himself after missing a catch early in practice. He got free for a deep catch down the sideline in 1-on-1s before showing off why he's special on his next rep. Wilson made a grab on the sideline where he used his entire frame to wall off Fentrell Cypress II.

— Vandrevius Jacobs made his patented play of practice by bringing in a deep pass during 1-on-1s after zooming by Azareye'h Thomas. He had an uncharacteristic drop early in the day and showed some frustration with himself after. Jacobs responded well after the miscue, also scoring a touchdown on a jet sweep where he went leaping into the end zone.

— Deuce Spann drew the ire of Mike Norvell during individual drills after not sprinting all the way through a rep. He responded with a couple of plays, including a deep ball in 1-on-1's where he left his defender behind.

— Ja'Khi Douglas had one of the catches of the day in 1-on-1's. A ball was placed over his shoulder and Douglas was able to corral it with his outside hand for an impressive catch. Even defensive coordinator Adam Fuller was impressed by that play.

— Tight end Jaheim Bell was all over the place on Thursday. He got started with a nifty move during 1-on-1s that froze up a safety as Bell got free for a big play. Bell got involved around the goal line with a variety of plays and was able to score at least one touchdown.

— Julian Armella pancaked Patrick Payton, who took offense to the block after the play. Armella gave him a little dance in celebration.

— Preston Daniel had an impressive one-handed catch.

— AJ Duffy got loose and showed off his wheels during a touchdown scramble.

DEFENSE:

— The defense came up huge during a competition at the goal line against the offense. With the ball sitting around the five, the offense was challenged to score and the defense had to hold them out. The first unit with ten successful scores or stops was deemed the winner of the competition. The defense came out on top 10-3.

— One of the reps was a big stop in the running game by none other than rising star Patrick Payton. The redshirt sophomore came off the edge later in practice and forced Jordan Travis to get rid of the ball before he was ready. Payton is becoming a daily enforcer on Florida State's defense.

— Renardo Green started off a solid day with a deflection early in practice. He got his hands on a pass that was intended for Johnny Wilson during 1-on-1's before breaking up another throw to the big wide receiver during team.

— Jarrian Jones made a timely play with a deflection while guarding Wilson that ended the offense's first possession of the day. He broke up another pass later in the practice and has had a strong spring amongst FSU's defensive backs.

— Byron Turner stuffed CJ Campbell and DJ Lundy during goal line drills. He also came away with a sack during team drills. The youngster is flashing more consistently as the spring progresses.

— Stephen Dix Jr. had a couple of tackles and plays that were made in space.

— Daniel Lyons fought through the offensive line for a stop on Trey Benson early in practice.

— Greedy Vance read a shovel pass to Hill and popped the running back right as the ball arrived which led to an incompletion. 

— Shyheim Brown sacked Jordan Travis during team drills and also came up with a fumble recovery on a bobbled snap.

— Walk-on defensive back Christian White intercepted a pass during 1-on-1s. He also deflected a ball that was intended for Hykeem Williams in the end zone.

— Ayobami Tifase made an impressive play by working backside and stopping CJ Campbell short of the end zone. Good pursuit from the young defensive lineman.

— DJ Lundy forced a throwaway after putting pressure on Travis alongside multiple members of the defense.

— Bishop Thomas and Antavious Woody eliminated a gap in the middle of the offense and blew up a running play.

— Omar Graham had a nice sideline-to-sideline pursuit while making a tackle on a running back.

— Jared Verse came in unblocked and forced a bad throw that fell incomplete.

— Quindarrius Jones broke up a pass that was intended for Wilson in the end zone on one of the final plays of practice. It was a huge play from the true freshman, who was matched up one on one with the biggest receiver on the team in a scoring situation.

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