FSU Football Fall Camp Observations: Defense Impresses As Seminoles Begin Second Week Of Camp

The defense impressed during team drills with a vareity of pass-rushes and blitzes.

Florida State kicked off its second week of preseason camp on Monday. The Seminoles are returning to morning practices for the rest of the fall but the earlier start time didn't lead to any drop-off from the team. In fact, the second session in shells brought plenty of passion and physicality to the practice fields.

There were some serious back-and-forth moments of action but the defense impressed during team drills with a variety of pass-rushes and blitzes. That led to challenging sequences for the offensive line in a competition that is going to make both sides better over the next few weeks.

READ MORE: Florida State Pulls Off Home Run With Commitment Of No. 1 Safety KJ Bolden

NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and jotted down some observations from the beginning of the second week of camp.

— The Seattle Seahawks had a couple of scouts at practice on Monday.

— FSU Basketball head coach Leonard Hamilton and Missouri Basketball head coach Dennis Gates were in attendance for the majority of the session. Gates coached under Hamilton in Tallahassee before moving on to Cleveland State and then the Tigers.

— The kicking competition continues to stay close with both players neck and neck. Tyler Keltner connected on field goals from 37, 38, and 43 yards during practice. Fitzgerald matched him with makes from 37 and 43 yards.

— At least one drill during practice got a little chippy. Mike Norvell put himself right in the middle of the fray and pulled an offensive player and a defensive player away from each other.

OFFENSE:

— The offense got started early with a perfect deep ball from Jordan Travis to Jaheim Bell behind the secondary. A massive gain during tempo drills to move the unit into field goal range.

— AJ Duffy showed off his best Jordan Travis impersonation with his legs today. Duffy stepped up in the pocket and took off during team drills before cutting up the left sideline for what appeared to be a 60~ yard touchdown run. He froze Gilber Edmond with a pump fake earlier in the day to get loose on a scramble.

— It felt like there was a concerted effort from the quarterbacks to include the running backs in the passing game on Monday. Lawrance Toafili, Trey Benson, Rodney Hill, CJ Campbell, Samuel Singelton, and Caziah Holmes all got involved in the action. Benson had a nice grab out of the backfield where he had to come back and dive to get his hands under the ball. 

— Markeston Douglas showed up again on Monday with another good practice. He had a concise opening move to get by a young linebacker during 1-on-1's. Douglas also pulled in multiple receptions during 7-on-7 and team drills but had one drop on the day.

— Outside of his big catch during tempo drills, Bell had another huge gain in 1-on-1's after breaking away from a linebacker. Travis hit him on back-to-back plays in 7-on-7.

— Johnny Wilson reeled in one of his signature catches during 7-on-7. The big wide receiver used his frame to wall off a defensive back on the sideline while pulling in a ball from Travis. The two connected again on a huge play later in the day as Travis found him deep for a score.

— Campbell had a nice blitz pickup on a defensive back early in practice that gave Duffy time to deliver a ball on the sideline to Destyn Hill.

— Hykeem Williams and Darion Williamson both made catches for scores during goal line 1-on-1's. 

— Tight end Jerrale Powers had two tough receptions on consecutive plays. 

— DEFENSE:

— Greedy Vance is asserting himself during fall camp while trying to lock down the nickelback job. He was in position to recover a fumble forced by Tatum Bethune and took it all the way back. Vance broke up a pass during team drills prior to shedding a blocker for a tackle for loss in run coverage.

— The Seminoles have a monster in the making in Braden Fiske. He's simply a massive human and it's evident that the years in a college strength and conditioning program have paid off. Fiske is already developing chemistry with the rest of the defensive line and had at least two sacks on Monday. 

— The defense flustered the offense during team drills with a variety of pass rushes and blitzes. Whether it was from the edge, inside, or linebacker unit, the Seminoles were able to get home and confuse the offensive line multiple times. 

— Jared Verse tends to remind you what he can do daily. On Monday, it was an impressive play where the offense tried to get crafty with a handoff. Verse didn't feel like making a choice and instead wrapped up both Jordan Travis and the running back. He forced Travis to throw a pass in the dirt later in the day and let the star quarterback know about it.

— Patrick Payton had at least two plays where he drove the opposing offensive tackle all the way back into the quarterback. His impressive showing in camp continues.

— Gilber Edmond had one of his best practices since arriving at Florida State. He was active throughout the day, forcing a fumble after coming off the edge and knocking the ball out of Tate Rodemaker's hands. Edmond tossed a young offensive lineman around earlier in practice.

— True freshman defensive back Ja'Bril Rawls picked off a pass late in practice. He stayed in position and read the quarterback from his spot at cornerback, moving into position and going vertical to make the play.

— DJ Lundy had a sack while driving back a running back. He was simply too large for the offensive player to hold him off.

— Justin Cryer also picked off a pass during team drills.

— Jarrian Jones, Azareye'h Thomas, and Edwin Joseph all broke up passes in 1-on-1's. Thomas and Jones nearly came away with interceptions.

— Kalen DeLoach had a nice tackle for loss on Benson. He came right through the middle after essentially reading the play prior to the snap.

— Brian Courtney had at least two stops during team drills. On one play, he was engaged with a blocker before shedding him and getting to the running back.

— Dante Anderson batted down a ball at the line of scrimmage.

— Blake Nichelson recorded a tackle for loss after getting through up the middle late in team drills.

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READ MORE: Seminoles Put Forth Physical Practice In First Day In Shells

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