Five Players Who Stood Out During Florida State's Spring Showcase
Doak Campbell Stadium had some energy on Saturday as Florida State held its annual Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase. There wasn't really a score, official stats weren't kept, and the team constantly shifted from scrimmaging to special teams drills. I guess that's why Mike Norvell refers to the exhibition as a showcase rather than a game.
READ MORE: Florida State Unveils New Game Jerseys During Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase
The stars played like stars, as expected. Outside of an interception on a great read by linebacker Kalen DeLoach (which I'll get into soon), quarterback Jordan Travis was sharp. He hit Kentron Poitier with a perfect throw for a touchdown (which I'll also get into soon) and showed that he continues to ascend his level of play. On the other side, Jared Verse had multiple sacks and was a constant presence in the backfield and around the ball.
All in all, it was an even battle that featured stretches of dominance by the defense and responses from the offense in the form of long drives or big plays.
There were plenty of notable performances on Saturday. Here are five Seminoles (or six) who stood out during the showcase.
1. Kalen DeLoach, Linebacker
Though he's had his moments throughout the spring, veteran linebacker Kalen DeLoach was at his best on Saturday inside Doak Campbell Stadium. Time and time again, he put himself in the right positions to make plays and took advantage of the opportunities.
DeLoach intercepted a pass early in the showcase after dropping back and making a read before the ball even left Jordan Travis' hand. The closing speed and athleticism to snag the ball before returning it the opposite way was impressive. The play likely would've been a touchdown in an actual game.
That wasn't his only highlight of the afternoon. DeLoach hustled to engage running back Rodney Hill on a fourth and short to the outside a few drives later. The effort paid off as he caused Hill to lose control of the ball. Once again, DeLoach sprinted the other way after scooping up the fumble he forced.
For those counting, that's two "would-be" defensive touchdowns on the day for DeLoach. Not too shabby of a day at the office, if you ask me.
2. Kentron Poitier, Wide Receiver
Someone find the crown because it's time to adorn the king of the spring. Entering year four in Tallahassee, redshirt junior wide receiver Kentron Poitier has found his footing with the Seminoles. He averaged 20.2 yards per catch last year and is on the cusp of taking his game to new heights in 2023.
That has never been more evident following his performance in the spring showcase. Poitier caught four passes for north of 80 yards and a touchdown, making one of the highlights of the day with a one-handed grab on the sideline on third and long. The catch displayed all of his verticality and playmaking ability. It wasn't a bad job by the defensive back, just an unguardable play from Poitier
Poitier hauled in a touchdown on a dart from Jordan Travis in the back of the end zone. Norvell was even more impressed by his ability to hone in on the little things, noting a block he made that freed up Lawrance Toafili for a score of his own.
After moments of brilliance this spring, Poitier is a candidate to break out this fall.
3. Rodney Hill, Running Back
A fumble might've ended redshirt freshman running back Rodney Hill's campaign for king of the spring but he was still extremely productive on Saturday. Hill rushed for over 40 yards on the ground while scoring on a short burst up the middle around the goal line. He also caught a touchdown pass out of the backfield on a wheel route.
It was another consistent performance from the Georgia native as he looks to replace the departed Treshaun Ward in the rotation alongside Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili. Hill might be the favorite in the race but he's being pushed by CJ Campbell and Caziah Holmes.
Norvell noted in his press conference following the exibition that Hill approaches the game the way that it should be approached. He's excited about the future that the young back has in Tallahassee.
4. Byron Turner Jr., Defensive End
Consistency is still a work in progress for redshirt sophomore defensive end Byron Turner Jr. It makes a lot of sense when you consider that he needed development when his college career began and that he's missed time with injuries during his first two years at Florida State. That has led to some setbacks but Turner Jr. is working on a comeback.
He put that front and center during the showcase with back to back sacks. The first came in his favor as the quarterback rolled out of the pocket but on the second he set the edge and forced the play into his favor. Turner Jr.'s raw athleticism coupled with his effort make for an intriguing combination if he can continue to hone in on his technique.
There is still a way to go for him to develop into a complete player. At the same time, there haven't been many programs that have been better at producing defensive ends over the last couple of years than Florida State.
5. Vandrevius Jacobs, Wide Receiver
Early on, true freshman wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs looked like exactly what he is - a true freshman - after bobbling a handoff on a jet sweep. Following that, he put the play behind him and displayed the type of performance that was expected after the spring that 'All Day Dre' has put together.
The main course was a 44-yard catch and run where Jacobs showed off his hands, speed, and shiftiness all in one play. He reached out for a tough catch on a corner route as fellow true freshman Quindarrius Jones grabbed his arm and tried to rip the ball out. Jacobs held on before stopping and putting a cut on Jaden Floyd that allowed him to get into the open field. From there, it was all jets as he scampered inside the ten, setting up a touchdown pass to Hykeem Williams on the ensuing play.
Jacobs has the makings and the mindset to be a standout during his time at Florida State. The next step will be continuing these kind of performances into fall camp to force the coaching staff to play him. Even Jordan Travis believes he's doing something special with the way he's come out of the gate ready to work.
Bonus: Quindarrius Jones, Cornerback
There's always time for more and it's worth highlighting the performance of true freshman cornerback Quindarrius Jones. Once again, the spotlight is on a newcomer which shows the promise that Tribe23 is already bringing to the table in Tallahassee. According to defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, Jones has made tremendous strides throughout the spring. That was noticable on Saturday.
The Mississippi native picked off redshirt freshman quarterback AJ Duffy on a throw to the sideline. He was also constantly applying pressure in run support and staying active around the ball. Jones is gaining confidence and settling in. Early on, this looks like another heck of a job by Florida State's scouting department.
Jones was someone that the Seminoles identified over the summer and quickly jumped on after watching him work out in person. The investment is already paying off as there is clearly something to work with here, both with his skillset and mentality.
READ MORE: 2023 FSU Football Spring Showcase Recap: Poitier and DeLoach Steal the Show
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