FSU Football Fall Camp Observations: Jordan Travis-Johnny Wilson Connection Highlights Wednesday
Florida State crossed the halfway point of preseason camp on Wednesday. Star quarterback Jordan Travis was in a rhythm throughout the session, especially with his throws to his favorite target, 6-foot-7 wide receiver Johnny Wilson. The two connected time and time again during the session. Whether it was on the sideline, over the middle of the field, or in the end zone, there wasn't much the defense could do to stop it.
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I asked Mike Norvell about the connection between Travis and Wilson following their big day. Norvell had a bit of fun with the response while cracking a wry smile, "it needs to be a good one," before detailing how impressed he's been with how locked in two of his best players on offense have been.
NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and jotted down some observations with the second half of camp on the horizon.
— The Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, and Buffalo Bills were among the NFL teams with personnel at practice.
— Another up-and-down day for the kicking unit. Tyler Keltner and Ryan Fitzgerald both connected from 32 yards out but misfired when moving back to 41 yards during the special teams portion of practice. Keltner's attempt looked to go wide left while Fitzgerald's clanked off the upright. The offense was put in an end-of-game scenario late in practice and Keltner ended up missing from 51 yards.
OFFENSE:
— As I said earlier, it was really the Jordan Travis and Johnny Wilson show that stole the spotlight during practice. Two passes from Travis to Wilson during 1-on-1's started to get the two going. Things began to heat up in 7-on-7 as Travis found him three more times, one play being a high-level throw where the quarterback went through his progressions, eyes bouncing from Wilson to the running back, before letting it fly over the middle. There was no slowing down in team drills as Travis capped off practice with a lofted throw to the corner of the end zone that was easily hauled in by Wilson.
— Mike Norvell is always pushing his players to respond. We saw the response from Jordan Travis on Wednesday after a practice that wasn't up to his standards a day prior. His connection with Wilson was impressive but he was dialed in anytime the ball left his hands. Travis found tight end Jaheim Bell in a tight window between three defenders. His patience is noticeable but Travis knows when to go fast and how to improvise. He delivered a throw to Deuce Spann for a first down right as the ball was snapped and later showed off his evasiveness in the pocket by staying alive around multiple defenders before flipping out a shovel pass to a running back.
— Travis got some revenge on true freshman Blake Nichelson. After being chased down by the true freshman on a roll-out yesterday, he found himself staring Nichelson in the face while attempting to scramble near the goal line. Nichelson was in a good position but a shifty move by Travis allowed him to get by.
— Tight ends coach Chris Thomsen told the media on Tuesday that Jaheim Bell squats over 600 pounds. I wonder what he bench presses? Bell caught a pass from Brock Glenn while working toward the sideline during team drills. He ended the play with an emphatic stiff arm that threw a defender into the sidelines. That's two straight days with a punishing move in the open field. Bell got out in front of Benson and opened up some room on the outside with a block on a defensive back that brought a roar from the coaching staff.
— It was an inconsistent practice for true freshman quarterback Brock Glenn but I thought he made his best single throw of camp on Wednesday. Glenn delivered an absolute dime down the seam to a streaking Jaheim Bell for a touchdown. I had to check out the replay board after that one. Glenn had a ball in a tight window to Markeston Douglas as well.
— Once again, Deuce Spann's athleticism stood out today just as we noted on Tuesday. Travis and the other quarterbacks kept looking for him during practice and he made the most of his opportunities.
— The impact of Destyn Hill was noticeable during practice. He won two reps during 1-on-1's before a vertical effort in team drills on a throw from Travis. Hill has impressed throughout the preseason.
— Don't let Goldie Lawrence get into the open field. He scored on an end-around touchdown early in practice before turning on the jets during another attempt where Kyle Morlock out throwing a block in front of him.
— Running back Caziah Holmes broke free a couple of times thanks to some good blocking by the offensive line. He scored on a back to back runs to end off practice.
— Preston Daniel had another tough catch on Wednesday, twisting and turning his body on the sideline for one of the plays of the day.
DEFENSE:
— Defensive end Byron Turner Jr. picked up a lot of praise from Mike Norvell, Adam Fuller, and John Papuchis over the weekend. In particular, JP mentioned how Turner Jr.'s performance in the scrimmage could increase his confidence. That was evident on Wednesday with one of his more active days of camp defending the run and getting to the passer. Turner Jr. worked laterally across the line of scrimmage for a quick stop on Caziah Holmes. A few plays later, he engaged with Jaheim Bell and drove him back before getting off the block for a sack. Turner collapsed the pocket later in practice to free up Patrick Payton for a sack and also deflected a pass that was being thrown out of the backfield to an open player.
— Very active day for veteran linebacker Kalen DeLoach. He was impressive in drills against the offensive line and tight ends, driving back Preston Daniel and Markeston Douglas on consecutive reps. DeLoach mirrored Douglas in 1-on-1's, sticking with him for a pass deflection.
— True freshman defensive back Ja'Bril Rawls has had his flashes. On Wednesday, it was an interception and return on a pass that slipped through a tight ends hands. Rawls was in a position to make the play and combined with another defender for a sack later in the day.
— A very competitive day for sophomore cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. He nearly picked off a throw after undercutting a pass in 1-on-1's and had some positive moments in coverage despite losing a few battles against Wilson.
— I continue to be encouraged by DJ Lundy's improvement in coverage. He stuck with Jaheim Bell in 1-on-1's, breaking up a pass that was thrown late and short.
— True freshman cornerback Quindarrius Jones broke up two passes on the day.
— Gilber Edmond deflected a pass while working over the middle in 7-on-7. Take that how you will.
— I thought it was a good outing for defensive end Jaden Jones. There were two plays around the line of scrimmage where he showed awareness to stay in position and make a stop in the running game.
— Dante Anderson's effort continues to pop up.
— Walk-on linebacker Ashton Bracewell made an impressive play to step in front of a wide receiver with a diving effort. It looked like he intercepted the pass but I could quite tell. walk-on Christian White deflected a pass on the sideline late in practice.
— Demarco Ward held AJ Duffy out of the end zone on a roll-out where the quarterback tried to cut up and scramble.
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