FSU Football Fall Camp Observations: Intensity Ratcheting Up As Seminoles Complete Day Five
Florida State returned to the practice fields on Tuesday morning for the team's fifth session of preseason camp. There has been a trend with the Seminoles early on and that has been the level of competition throughout the team. Whether it's starters or backups, veterans or newcomers, this roster is serious about competing from top to bottom.
That led to plenty of back-and-forth sequences throughout the morning. It's an encouraging sign after the lack of depth that was across Florida State's roster when Mike Norvell arrived in Tallahassee in December of 2019.
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NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and jotted down some observations from the session.
— This was the most live reps that we've seen in a single practice from the kickers and they both responded for the most part. Ryan Fitzgerald connected on kicks from 37 yards, 45 yards, and 46 yards but had one blocked by Shyheim Brown. Tyler Keltner was good from 31 yards, 32 yards, and 45 yards. Norvell sounded pleased with their effort early in camp.
— Keon Coleman, Lawrance Toafili, and Destyn Hill were fielding punts. Coleman muffed a punt at one point and was disciplined with some pushups as Norvell reminded him, "don't take it for granted."
OFFENSE:
— The offense got going early in practice thanks to the connection of Jordan Travis and Johnny Wilson. Travis lobbed a pass down the sideline to Wilson, who went up vertical for a catch over Azareye'h Thomas. It was a perfectly placed throw to the 6-foot-7 wide receiver. Travis hit Wilson again during the drill, ultimately leading to a field goal from Fitzgerald. The two connected often in practice but there were a few miscues.
— Tight end Jaheim Bell seems to be settling in as he's consistently stood out during Florida State's last couple of practices. He's got the ability to get out in space while also being able to make tough catches. On one play, Bell broke down the seam and caught a pass before putting a move on a defensive back to get into the end zone. On another, he was popped immediately after touching the football but held on through the hit.
— FSU has plenty of speed and size across its wide receiver unit. Deuce Spann got loose on Tuesday on an end-around for a 60+ yard score. Great blocking by the offense helped spring him upfield on a play where he didn't appear to be touched.
— Keon Coleman is a very impressive athlete. His quick feet off the line of scrimmage and effortless cuts make him a tough cover for the defensive backfield. That led to multiple big plays throughout practice, including a rep in 1-on-1's where he burned Shyheim Brown, who was in off-coverage, and back-to-back scoring grabs in 7-on-7.
— I thought Bless Harris was excellent on the day. He had a nice combo block with Darius Washington to create some space on a Caziah Holmes scamper. Harris showed off his athleticism later in practice with a pulling play where he got up to the second level to open up a hole with a block on a linebacker. He also displayed good awareness while working against the defensive line, getting in position to handle a stunt from a defensive end and tackle.
— Jeremiah Byers and Bryson Estes combined to help spring Holmes on another run to the left.
— Welcome to preseason camp, All Day Dre. The true freshman had back-to-back catches in 7-on-7 before pulling off a big play in team drills. Jacobs exploded by his defender at the line of scrimmage and got free deep, hauling in a pass and throwing up a peace sign to the two players chasing after him.
— Up and down day for Kyle Morlock. He made some tough catches with defenders around him during the first half of practice. Morlock had at least one drop and a couple of plays where the ball popped out of his hands after being hit.
— Joshua Burrell caught a touchdown during goalline 7-on-7 and came away with another score late in team drills.
— Destyn Hill went vertical in 1-on-1's for a scoring catch with Greedy Vance closing in.
DEFENSE:
— Azareye'h Thomas had a day to remember. After losing a rep against Johnny Wilson on a perfect throw to begin practice, Thomas rebounded with a strong Tuesday. He made an athletic interception in the end zone to prevent a touchdown pass to Wilson. Thomas came leaping in for the pick to shut down the offense in what was a good play on the ball. He continued to perform throughout practice as the sophomore broke up multiple passes, including a play on the sideline where he ripped the ball out of Wilson's hands. A good sign for the Seminoles.
— The competition at defensive end is heating up. Patrick Payton and Gilber Edmond keep turning in good days of work. Payton had the hit of the day with a bone-crushing collision against Jaheim Bell. The offense tried to utilize a shovel-pass but Payton read the play and delivered the wood. He broke through on the next play for a sack. On the other side, Edmond has been getting more and more consistent each practice. He had a sack during team drills.
— DJ Lundy's improvement in pass coverage has been remarkable. He nearly picked off a pass early in practice as the ball just bounced off his hands. Lundy stuck with Caziah Holmes perfectly on a route out of the backfield during team drills. That's a notable development for the massive linebacker.
— Been pretty impressed with Shyheim Brown. He's taking on a leadership role and is making sure to make every rep count, even when he's not on the field. Brown was yelling instructions from the sideline to defenders during team drills. He also blocked a kick during practice which probably reminded him of a certain play from last season.
— JUCO safety transfer Ashlynd Barker seems to be settling in. He broke up a jump ball to Markeston Douglas during 1-on-1's and also delivered a strong hit on Kyle Morlock to prevent a completion. Barker jumped straight on the ball after the tackle, showing his football IQ.
— Kalen DeLoach had a tackle for loss after the defensive put pressure on Travis.
— After picking off a pass to begin the week, true freshman Ja'Bril Rawls is staying active. He deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage in goal line drills to end a possession and broke up a pass in the end zone.
— KJ Kirkland nearly recorded a pair of interceptions. The defensive backfield keeps getting in a position to make plays.
— Blake Nichelson had two very nice stops during team drills. One was a tackle for loss where he exploded up the middle before anyone could block him.
— Jarrian Jones broke up a pass in the end zone in solo coverage against Wilson. The ball was a little lower than Wilson liked, giving Jones a chance to prevent the completion.
— Quindarrius Jones prevented Coleman from catching a touchdown pass. He was physical but not enough to draw pass interference.
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