FSU Football Fall Camp Observations: Seminoles Put On Full Pads During First Practice At UNF
The next two days aren't going to be easy for Florida State and that's exactly why Mike Norvell brought his team to Jacksonville. The new setting puts the Seminoles in a different environment with the intensity meter continuing to rocket towards the sky in preseason camp. Thursday marked the team's first practice in full pads since kicking off the fall last week.
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From the very moment that FSU stepped on the field, head coach Mike Norvell challenged his group, letting them know to bring an edge to practice. For the most part, the team seemed to live up to the mantra during a session that ended up lasting around 20 minutes longer than what was scheduled.
NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and jotted down some observations from the session.
— Another perfect day from Florida State's kickers. Tyler Keltner and Ryan Fitzgerald both connected on kicks from 27 yards and 33 yards. As we've noted, competition has brought the best out of each player.
— It's no secret why the Seminoles have improved rapidly on special teams over the last three years. That phase of the game has become such a big focus for Norvell and the program. They dialed in for a lot of work across different special team units on Thursday, including one drill where players were trying to pin punts inside the five.
OFFENSE:
— When there are so many expectations on your shoulders, it takes a little more for certain players to stand out. That's exactly why Jordan Travis' performance was so impressive on Thursday. He was absolutely on fire from the beginning to the end of the session in what was (from my point of view) his best outing of camp to this point. Whether it was going through his progressions before hitting the open man or letting a pass fly to a receiver in tight coverage, Travis was in a rhythm. When he did miss, it was usually because the pass was dropped rather than an off-target throw.
— Travis and Kyle Morlock had quite the connection during practice. Morlock exploded off the line of scrimmage and sidestepped Akeem Dent downfield to create space. The pass came his way but was slightly out in front of him. That forced Morlock to make an adjustment as he reached his hands out to secure the ball while going to the ground. One of the more impressive catches on the day and helped put the two in a rhythm. Morlock ended up being very active during 7-on-7 and team drills with a couple of catches that included him working down the seam for a big play. Travis fired a rocket with Joshua Farmer in his face as he stood tall in the pocket.
— Speaking of connections, there obviously has already been a lot of success from the duo of Travis and Johnny Wilson. The two hooked up for a scoring play yesterday and didn't leave their chemistry behind in Tallahassee. Travis went deep down the sideline to Wilson in 7-on-7 and hit him with two defenders in the area for a big gain.
— Morlock wasn't the only tight end to shine on Thursday. Jaheim Bell continues to stack together promising days. The Seminoles used him all over the place during practice and he did a lot of damage in the middle of the field.
— The potential is evident for Hykeem Williams, he's just got to put it all together. Williams beat Renardo Green off the jump for a catch in 1-on-1's but he didn't finish the rep and the veteran forced a fumble. Later in practice, Williams had a good release off the line and got a step deep on a defensive back for a big play. He came down with a tough catch in 7-on-7 too.
— I didn't think it was the sharpest day for true freshman quarterback Brock Glenn. There were some up-and-down moments but he does seem to be growing more confident in the offense. Glenn had a couple of reps in 7-on-7 where you could notably see his eyes moving as he went through reads
— Deuce is getting loose! Spann had one of his better days of camp on Thursday. The highlight was a beautiful display of his ball-tracking skills during team where he was working downfield and showed the presence of mind to slow up slightly to come down with a lofty pass from AJ Duffy. Spann had a long run in team drills and a strong rep in 7-on-7 where his quickness over the middle was too much for Quindarrius Jones.
— True freshman offensive line Chris Andre' Otto kept popping up during practice, especially in 3-on-2 drills against the defensive line. He put a defender on their back in a play that fired up the offensive line before some good battles with Jaden Jones and KJ Sampson. A lot of potential and the size to boot for Otto.
— Tight end Jerrale Powers pancaked a defender and got a good reaction as well.
— Casey Roddick showing some leadership while being a good teammate. A member of the offensive line slipped while doing a drill and Roddick was instantly there helping them back to their feet.
— Jeremiah Byers and Daughtry Richardson drew praise for their reps in 1-on-1's against the defensive line.
— Destyn Hill and Vandrevius Jacobs had notable receptions during 1-on-1's.
— Caziah Holmes and Rodney Hill had good efforts running the ball on the day. Lawrance Toafilil, Trey Benson, and Hill all were productive in the passing game.
DEFENSE:
— There were times last year when I wasn't exactly sure what kind of impact cornerback Greedy Vance would make at Florida State. He squashed those concerns during the season and appears to have settled in with the Seminoles. Vance had a big day earlier this week and seems to be playing with more confidence. He had some fun reps against Keon Coleman and Destyn Hill. On one play, Vance stuck to Coleman like glue while playing on the shoulder that pass was thrown to. He reached a hand in a smacked the ball to the ground before letting out a scream in celebration.
— Right place, right time for true freshman safety Conrad Hussey. Brock Glenn was looking over the middle to an open Markeston Douglas. As he let the pass go, Douglas slipped and Hussey was right there for an interception. He wasn't the only one to pick off a pass as walk-on linebacker AJ Cottrill and walk-on defensive back Dwayne Wells.
— Renardo Green didn't give up on a play in 1-on-1's and it paid off. After Hykeem Williams easily caught a pass in front of him, Green flew in and got a hand on the ball to force a fumble. He prevented a completion to Spann deep down the field in 1-on-1's with a vertical effort as well.
— Safety Shyheim was another veteran that displayed good coverage skills on Thursday. He stayed right with Goldie Lawrance over the middle before deflecting a pass.
— Converted linebacker Brian Courtney is still learning a new position. There are flashes of what he can be and reminders that he's spent less than ten practices on the defensive side of the ball. Thursday was arguably his best day so far. Courtney stuck with Brock Glenn laterally as he moved outside of the pocket, eventually picking up a sack. He earned a half-sack later in practice after combining with who looked like Ja'Bril Rawls for another stop on the quarterback.
— One of Florida State's top players in preseason camp has been Patrick Payton as he prepares for an elevated role. Payton was solid on the day, picking up a sack as Jordan Travis stepped up in the pocket due to pressure from the opposite side.
— Full Pads Fiske is a go as we saw the Western Michigan transfer participate in his first practice at Florida State in full pads on Thursday. He lived up to the billing, easily putting a young offensive lineman on their back in 1-on-1's. Fiske came up the middle so quickly on a pass-rush during team drills for a 'sack' that the coaches didn't blow the whistle and let the play continue. He casually jogged away from the play, seemingly knowing it was over in a real game.
— Blake Nichelson has continued to show up during Florida State's second week of practice. On Thursday, it was another reminder of his speed and athleticism. Once again, Nichelson worked up through the middle of the offensive line, bringing down a running back for a tackle for loss.
— KJ Kirkland delivered a strong hit on Preston Daniel to force out a pass late in practice. Physicality at the point of attack right as balls arrive has been one area where the defensive backfield has taken a noticeable step forward. They've been forcing out a lot of passes with big hits.
— Ayobami Tifase got some praise during practice. After exploding through the offensive line during 3-on-2's, Odell Haggins walked over and smacked him on the facemask a couple of teams while saying "good job." On his next rep, Tifase knocked over two offensive linemen.
— After a big day on Wednesday, linebacker Justin Cryer carried that over into FSU's sessions at UNF. He shut down Jordan Travis in the pocket on a play where the quarterback was looking to scramble.
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