FSU Football Spring Camp Observations: Defense Sets Tone Ahead Of Second Scrimmage

The Seminoles got chippy on Thursday as they prepare to scrimmage once again.

Florida State continued its slate of spring practices on Thursday evening as the team prepares for its second scrimmage this weekend. Competition continues to be theme of this period for the Seminoles and there was plenty of it oozing on both sides of the ball in what marked the fifth straight session in full pads.

At times, things got a little chippy and carried on beyond the whistle. Veterans on the team were quick to get into the fire to prevent anything from getting out of hand. The fire and intensity are something that you like to see - this group of Seminoles can be a feisty bunch. Head coach Mike Norvell said after practice that the defense won the day. The unit was locked in down the stretch in team drills.

READ MORE: Two More FSU Football Players To Miss Remainder Of Spring Practice Due To Injury

NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and down below are some observations from the seventh day of the spring.

— It was great to see Athletic Director Michael Alford back on the sideline watching practice. He's been recovering from a procedure that he underwent early this offseason.

— Ryan Fitzgerald connected from 28 yards, 32 yards (x2), 37 yards, and 44 yards. He did miss wife left by a slim margin on a second attempt from 44 yards out.

OFFENSE:

— Thursday marked the first real time that we've seen quarterback DJ Uiagalelei scramble out of the pocket and showcase how he can move. There are some naysayers, but the massive signal-caller can do more than enough to keep defenses honest. He kept one himself and got into the open field, only to deliver a little bit of friendly fire after barreling over a wide receiver who was blocking for him downfield. Uiagalelei ran again later in the period but the whistle blew dead after he was tagged by Earl Little Jr. I'd be interested to see how that collision would work out in a real game. He had a couple of scrambles late in practice that were some of the lone positive plays in two-minute work.

Uiagalelei also delivered a couple of rockets. He launched a beautiful deep ball down the middle of the field to Kentron Poitier but his target was unable to snag it with Azareye'h Thomas in the area. Uiagalelei tossed another throw downfield to Jalen Brown a few plays later for a big connection near the sideline.

— For the second straight practice, I thought Brock Glenn was in command of the pocket, finding ways to elude the defense to set up completions to receivers or running himself. Glenn stepped up and worked across the pocket before scrambling into the middle of the field for a large gain. He ran for the second time on the next play and sidestepped a defender to get into the open field. It feels like he's making quicker decisions overall. Glenn had a good deep ball of his own that was dropped by Vandrevius Jacobs in team drills.

— Luke Kromenhoek opened up his arm and let some of his talent shine in his latest practice. He had two nice connections with Lawayne McCoy - one that went for a score in team drills and another in 7-on-7 that came out of his hand like a laser. It was a throw that he had to put some mustard on to get it past a defender. Kromenhoek hooked up with Camdon Frier in 1-on-1 after the true freshman wide receiver broke away from tight coverage. Frier caught the pass over his shoulder on what ended up being a 50+ yard throw.

— Malik Benson was super consistent throughout the practice, coming down with an array of difficult catches. He hauled in a throw that forced him to go low for an awkward extension as Norvell shouted "great catch." Benson followed that up with a pass that he seemingly caught between his legs. One way or the other, he's going to find a way to make a play.

— Kentron Poitier followed up a productive day on Tuesday to show up once again. He made a tough catch on the sideline before coming back with another grab against Azareye'h Thomas on a well-placed throw from Glenn where only his receiver could get it.

— Typically, veteran wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas brings out a couple of nifty moves to get open in 1-on-1's. He did just that and was the only skill player to catch a pass in two minute drills.

— Deuce Spann had back-to-back catches in 1-on-1's where he was able to get inside of his matchup and create a ton of space.

— Jalen Brown ran a smooth route but dropped the pass in 1-on-1's as Norvell implored him to "finish" the catch. On his next rep, Brown showed off quick feet at the line of scrimmage to explode past his matchup and haul in a deep ball. A show of response from the transfer wide receiver, who keeps popping up with big plays.

— Samuel Singleton has mostly been pointed out for his speed and big-play ability this spring. This was a practice where you were able to see the toughness that he can run with when necessary. Singleton had two runs that come to mind where he was able to shed tacklers and keep his legs moving.

— Tell me if this is surprise, Jaylin Lucas found some room on a run which came courtesy of a fantastic block by Lucas Simmons on a linebacker.

— Mike Norvell had plenty of praise for Jaylen Early and Kyle Morlock after their work on a combination block.

DEFENSE:

— In my opinion, this was the most active that defensive end Patrick Payton has been so far this spring. He disrupted the offense time and time again, along with Marvin Jones Jr. on the opposite side. The tandem created multiple sacks, tackles for loss, and busted plays. They were a major reason why the defense ended up on top following practice. If that's a sign of what they can bring this fall, opposing offenses better start taking notes.

— Sophomore linebacker Justin Cryer turned in a productive day. He picked off a pass and took it the distance in team drills. Cryer swatted a ball out of Brian Courtney's hands in 1-on-1's before coming back with a couple of solid run fits to finish off practice. Blake Nichelson was right there with him, stuffing Lawrance Toafili for what would've been a tackle for loss in an actual game. The two young linebackers are growing each day.

— Shyheim Brown was flying around and aggressive. Brown delivered a tackle for loss in run support with the offense behind schedule due to a bad handoff. He read and reacted so swiftly later in the period that he was in position to deliver a massive shot on Malik Benson right as the ball arrived.

— Jaden Jones showed up at a couple of points. He worked inside of Jeremiah Byers and Lucas Simmons. Jones came back with a sack in team drills and a pressure where he nearly got another one. Norvell and Adam Fuller both believe he's one of the most improved players on defense.

— Tomiwa Durojaiye broke through the line in team drills and brought down Kam Davis for a loss. Odell Haggins liked the way he was performing in drills against the offensive line during the middle of practice. He bulldozed over an offensive lineman in pass-rushing 1-on-1's.

— Greedy Vance broke up a pass with a well-timed hit on Ja'Khi Douglas. He also displayed some of his leadership after noticing a young defensive back walking off the field following a rep. Vance pointed it out and forced the player to go back and jog off. The standard has been set.

— It was another good day for linebacker DeMarco Ward, who had some extra pep and confidence in his step. Ward popped Kam Davis for a loss in team drills, hitting the running back right as the ball arrived in his hands.

— The defensive backs had a few lockdown moments in 1-on-1's. Fentell Cypress II stuck with Malik Benson on a rep where the wide receiver tried to get open with a double-move. It didn't fool Cypress II, who was on him like a blanket. Quindarrius Jones followed that up with a similar effort while staying all over Hykeem Williams. He let him know about it afterward as well.

— I liked the effort that KJ Sampson was playing with during team drills. On one play, he hustled from his defensive tackle spot to chase down a ballcarrier to prevent a run from turning into an even bigger gain.

— Timir Hickman-Collins came away with a sack on a play where the defense brought pressure. Aaron Hester and walk-on Grant Fielder were also able to finish stops in the backfield.

— Ja'Bril Rawls earned a sack after blitzing from his cornerback position. The offensive line wasn't ready for it.

— Walk-on linebacker AJ Cottrill put a vicious shot on Brian Courtney late in practice to prevent a completion that would've pulled the offense into field goal range. Adam Fuller loved the effort.

READ MORE: Kentron Poitier Makes Jaw-Dropping Catch In FSU Football's Latest Practice

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