Mike Norvell Gives Insight Into Position Battles After FSU Football's First Scrimmage

"I think Marvin is what we thought he was. Just with athleticism - ability. I think you're seeing growth with him."

Tommy Mire - NoleGameday

The Florida State Seminoles are coming off their first spring scrimmage as the 'Noles charge through the 2024 offseason. With players fighting for position on the depth chart, some interesting battles have developed before FSU gets a chance to showcase its roster at the Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase later this month.

Major question marks remain as the Seminoles vie for another ACC Championship and a potential playoff berth, and Florida State head coach Mike Norvell provided an update on how the team has progressed throughout the early part of the spring.

"I thought quarterback was probably better after watching it than what maybe even some of the moments," Norvell said. "So some of the things that were misses or some of the decisions and going back and watching it, it wasn't, (it was) very coachable things and, and things that we get to grow in. So, I thought it was a really good first scrimmage."

READ MORE: FSU Football Legend Returning To Tallahassee As Defensive Analyst

Florida State added four defensive transfers in the 2024 class: Marvin Jones, Jr., Sione Lolohea, Grady Kelly, and Tomiwa Durojaiye. The defensive line, in particular, will have many new faces with the loss of Jared Verse and Fabien Lovett to the NFL. Norvell said that there have been flashes throughout spring.

"I think they're doing a good job. I think you see the emphasis of technique, fundamentals, make sure that guys understand the calls, what they're supposed to do. There's still a little bit of thinking going on, but you see the flashes and you see the ability of what they're capable of. Now it's just a consistency of bringing it along. but I'm really excited."

Jones, Jr., a legacy player who transferred in from Georgia was originally recruited to FSU and is now lining up opposite of Patrick Payton in the Seminole pass rush. He had 12 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 2023 and Norvell was confident that his original evaluation of Jones was accurate.

"I think Marvin is what we thought he was," Norvell said. "Just with athleticism - ability. I think you're seeing growth with him."

Alongside Jones is Lolohea, a 4-star transfer who joined former Oregon State teammate DJ Uiagalelei in Tallahassee this past offseason. Durojaiye, out of West Virginia, has also been turning heads.

"Sione is a very physical, powerful young man that's growing in his confidence in what we're asking him to do and how we're asking him to do it. And then Tomi, Tomi has got a lot on his plate. We told him coming in that this would be something that he felt like he would be able to move around, um, and you know, so we're doing that. He's definitely a very active player. I like what I see from him, and I think he definitely going to be able to help us."

Kelly, a redshirt junior transfer out of Colorado State, appeared in 26 games with 22 starts with the Rams. He had 79 tackles, nine for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. Norvell said that he thought he did a good job alongside redshirt freshman KJ Sampson.

"I know Grady Kelly, I thought did a good job. I thought KJ Sampson actually had some really good plays in it, too. So, just looking at that D-line group, some of those, newcomers and guys that are trying to take a step, I thought some positive things that showed up."

Watch the Seminoles battle it out in the Spring Showcase inside Doak Campbell Stadium on April 20, at 4:00 p.m.

Norvell's full interview can be seen below.

Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the spring

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