FSU Football Fall Camp Observations: Seminoles Practice In Full Pads With Conclusion Of Preseason Closing In
The preseason is slowly but surely coming to a close as the Seminoles are just a few days from kicking off game week for the first time in 2023. Florida State returned to the practice fields on Thursday morning for a second consecutive practice in full pads.
Head coach Mike Norvell called it a "solid day" while noting that the team went through a significant amount of scout team work in early preparation for LSU. There were some "up and down moments" but it was still a good practice as the Seminoles continued to hone in on improvements.
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This was Florida State's final practice leading up to a mock game on Friday that will test the team physically and mentally. NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire session and jotted down some observations from the day.
— The Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens had personnel viewing the session from the sidelines.
— A couple of Florida State legends were also at practice in former defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and the former voice of the Seminoles, Gene Deckerhoff. Norvell made it a point to speak to Deckerhoff after practice, exclaiming, "you are welcome back here anytime."
— The kickers continue to make this decision tough. Once again, both players were perfect during live reps on Thursday. Ryan Fitzgerald connected from 35, 36, and 42 yards. Tyler Keltner matched Fitzgerald from 35 and 42 yards.
OFFENSE:
— It was another productive outing for wide receiver Keon Coleman, who showed up in a big way on Wednesday. He carried that into practice this morning, once again, putting the athleticism and size on full display that makes him an offensive weapon. Coleman pulled down a dart in the back of the end zone from Jordan Travis in a fourth-down scenario, skying for the catch with Azareye'h Thomas not too far behind - simply an unguardable play. He's going to be fun to watch during the year.
— I thought tight end Kyle Morlock was pretty solid throughout Thursday. He made a strong catch on the sideline, holding on through contact from KJ Kirkland. Morlock was able to beat Tatum Bethune downfield on his next rep.
— The uptick in confidence for wide receiver Winston Wright is noticeable. He's not second-guessing himself as often and he simply looks good when he turns on the jets in the open field. Wright beat Greedy Vance in 1-on-1's with a blazing start off the line of scrimmage, hauling in a pass in stride downfield. He got the best of the cornerback once again in the drill, catching a ball over the middle in the end zone.
— Wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs was the recipient of an absolute rocket from Tate Rodemaker. The quarterback let a pass sail deep that landed perfectly in Jacobs' outstretched hands. Jacobs was active throughout the rest of practice, catching two passes from Brock Glenn during team drills.
— Wide receiver Deuce Spann got loose with a catch over the middle in the end zone. Spann got a step on Fentrell Cypress for a grab on another rep but it looked like the cornerback responded to knock it out at the end of the play.
— AJ Duffy had a nice throw over the middle to Lawrance Toafili with Tatum Bethune in coverage. Bethune was in a good spot but the ball placement from Duffy was even better.
— Every practice, there are a couple of flashes from Destyn Hill that make you really excited if he can keep putting success together consistently. He certainly does not look like a player who has been away from football for two years.
— CJ Campbell caught back-to-back passes during 7-on-7 work.
— Markeston Douglas had a short grab while working across the middle of the field.
— Jaheim Bell got some serious praise for his blocking effort in a drill during the early portion of practice. Mike Norvell was really happy with one of his reps.
DEFENSE:
— Star defensive end Jared Verse was absolutely tremendous on Thursday, making his presence felt from the beginning to the end of practice. Verse came in from the backside for a stop on a running back after Tatum Bethune helped plug the gap with a strong effort in team drills. He showed off his field vision by sticking with AJ Duffy on a quarterback keeper where he tried to fake the handoff. After the play, Verse looked to the sideline and shook his head as if to say, 'you've got to do better than that.' His effort continued into 1-on-1's where Verse got around Bless Harris with a spin before manhandling a young offensive lineman.
— It's been a pretty consistent preseason for sophomore cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. The daily battles against Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman are making him better. Thomas got a good position in the end zone for an interception during goalline 1-on-1's on Thursday.
— Linebacker Tatum Bethune was another defender who was active throughout practice. He stuck with Preston Daniel on a route downfield to prevent a completion early in practice and it looked like he made a tackle on a running back on the next play. My favorite moment of the day was Bethune putting a violent shoulder into the chest of a blocking tight end, causing enough chaos for Verse to clean up the play.
— Veteran defensive tackle Malcolm Ray had a nice effort to fight through Bryon Estes and finish a stop in the backfield.
— Linebacker Omar Graham Jr. was able to stick with a running back out of the backfield and force an incompletion. Impressive signs in his development as he prepares for a bigger role in 2023.
— I'm giving Dennis Briggs credit for a sack on a play where he had a free shot on the quarterback in the backfield. The coaches let the play go on but that would've been a vicious hit in a live situation. Briggs combined with defensive end Gilber Edmond to stuff a rushing effort later in practice as both players refused to be moved off their spots by the offensive line.
— Shyheim Brown made a crafty play right around the line of scrimmage for a tackle for loss or no gain.
— Conrad Hussey deflected a pass in the end zone while covering Markeston Douglas.
— Jaden Jones forced a poor throw from a quarterback after coming in with some serious pressure off the edge. A potential sack scenario in a real game.
— Walk-on linebacker AJ Cottrill made an impressive play on Thursday. Travis threw a well-placed pass to Deuce Spann on the sideline, who leaped and got his hands on the ball. Cottrill swatted down and forced the ball out as the two went out of bounds.
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