FSU Football Practice Observations: Intensity Picks Up Despite Shorter Day Of Work

The Seminoles look to correct the mistakes made during the season in a much-needed bye week.

The No. 5 Florida State Seminoles are 4-0 and in a bye week after coming off a landmark 31-24 overtime victory against the Clemson Tigers. They have outscored their opponents 173-90 this season, and with that being said, the 'Noles feel that they still haven't played their best game yet and have taken this opportunity to correct mistakes made and continue to improve. 

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Florida State took to the practice fields on Wednesday, and although it was a shorter one, the intensity was still there. NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire session and jotted down some observations from the day.

- Scouts from the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and the Denver Broncos were in attendance, talking to coaches and observing potential candidates who will be eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. 

- Players typically on the scout team were sprinkled in working with the ones and twos due to the bye week.

- Both kickers were accurate on field goals. Ryan Fitzgerald made a 40-yard attempt, and Tyler Keltner was good from 41. 

Offense

- The offense started slow to begin the day, barely able to move the ball in the first team session. Aside from a wide receiver Destyn Hill catch, the attempts to convert were unsuccessful. 

- In 1-on-1, wide receiver Winston Wright, Jr. caught a pass that bounced off his hands and, as he was turning, landed on his helmet, and he was able to snag it in front of him.

- Wide receiver Josh Burrell is starting to get back into a rhythm, and it showed today. He was consistently sure-handed and had a touchdown over defensive back Kevin Knowles II in red zone 1-on-1. Hill made a nice toe-tapping touchdown in the same drill on a back-shoulder throw.

- In 7-on-7, the offense started to get guys open. Quarterback Jordan Travis found Hill and wide receiver Hykeem Williams open across the middle. Tight end Kyle Morlock made a few first-down catches, along with wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Darion Williamson.

- Wide receiver Deuce Spann had a decent day with a touchdown from quarterback Tate Rodemaker in red zone 7-on-7.

- Running back Lawrance Toafili caught a touchdown pass in red zone team drills thrown by Travis. The throw was accurate, getting to the right spot through a defender, and Toafili was able to get it in the endzone. 

- Running back Caziah Holmes had a long scamper into the endzone for about 15 yards, dodging multiple defenders in the process. 

- Tight end Jackson West made a nice 15-yard snag in third down drills. 

Defense

- Overall, the defense was pretty dominant for most of the day. They started strong in the first-team drill, stopping the drive with pass deflections and forced throwaways. Defensive tackle Malcolm Ray stood out, along with defensive back Fentrell Cypress. Cypress would later have an interception on a ball intended for wide receiver Kentron Poiter thrown by Travis in 1-on-1. 

- The defensive backs shined in red zone 1-on-1 and won the day. Conrad Hussey had a nice pass breakup against veteran wide receiver Keon Coleman. Hussey has been consistent throughout his short time at FSU. 

- Jarrian Jones, Greedy Vance, Ja'Bril Rawls, and Quindarrius Jones all had breakups that kept the ball out of the endzone in red zone 1-on-1.

- Vance had an interception in 7-on-7 on an overthrown ball by Travis. It went over the head of his target, and Vance was able to snag it low. 

- Defensive end Patrick Payton was able to force a throwaway by getting off the edge quickly, pushing Travis out of the pocket. The coverage in the secondary was tight, and he had to toss it away.

- Defensive back Edwin Joseph almost had an interception on a ball thrown by quarterback Tate Rodemaker. Had the ball been just a little underthrown Joseph would've been able to land inside the back of the endzone, but it was incomplete.

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