FSU Football Fall Camp Observations: Seminoles Put Forth Physical Practice In First Day In Shells
There have already been two practices this preseason but Saturday marked Florida State's first taste of real action as the team donned shoulder pads. The Seminoles turned up the physicality which led to increased competition and energy throughout the practice. It was evident that the team was excited to start hitting.
READ MORE: Offense Responds With Big Plays During Second Practice
The practice ended up going back and forth as both sides of the ball made big plays. From top to bottom, the level of focus and tenacity was promising. The Seminoles will get a day off before returning to action on Monday in what is expected to be the team's first practice in full pads.
NoleGameday was in attendance for the entire practice and jotted down some observations from the opening day of camp.
— The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a scout at practice today. I believe this is the first scout to come through during the preseason and he was assisted by Director of Player Relations, Keiwan Ratliff, who also serves as the team's NFL Liason.
— Former FSU star defensive lineman Corey Simon viewed the practice from the sidelines. The 1999 National Champion is now a member of the Florida State Senate.
— Florida State's electric battle for the starting kicking job between Ryan Fitzgerald and Tyler Keltner resumed on Saturday. Fitzgerald connected from 41 yards, 38 yards, and 32 yards during the practice. Keltner was good from 32 yards but pulled wide right on his 41-yard attempt. By our count, that's the first miss by either kicker during live reps in camps.
— Lawrance Toafili, Destyn Hill, and Keon Coleman were taking reps at punt returner during practice. Hill looked the most natural out of the trio and that seems like a spot where he could make an instant contribution to the program.
— Mike Norvell went sprinting at Keon Coleman for his effort during a special teams drill. Jumped in the air and gave him a little love to celebrate. True freshman Samuel Singleton got similar treatment a few minutes later.
OFFENSE:
— This was the best practice for Florida State's offensive line so far. It's amazing what the inclusion of pads can do for football players! There were a couple of strong runs on the day that were set up by powerful blocks at the line of scrimmage or big boys moving downfield. Jeremiah Byers was particularly impressive during the session with his ability to get out into space.
— Mike Norvell wasn't happy with some of the wide receivers during an individual drill early in practice. He walked over and gave the group some instructions before having them run through things again. The players responded and he was pleased with the correction, providing vocal encouragement.
— Quarterback Jordan Travis and wide receiver Keon Coleman are still coming along with their connection. They had a couple of miscommunications throughout the practice. Travis was seen talking things over with the Michigan State transfer. It paid off as Travis went deep to Coleman while rolling out of the pocket late in practice. Despite being tightly covered, he leaped over a defensive back for a catch and ran to the house with Mike Norvell chasing after him.
— As mentioned previously, the running backs were able to find some space thanks to the offensive line. Trey Benson and Rodney Hill both had decent runs early in practice. Benson and CJ Campbell each pulled off long attempts during team drills. Lawrance Toafili also caught a pass on the sideline and cut up for a big gain. Hill had one of the plays of the day with a short catch that he turned into a massive play with a speedy effort down the sideline.
— Destyn Hill continues to impress. He had a nifty back-shoulder catch during 7-on-7 prior to a leaping effort for a catch on a play-action pass from Brock Glenn.
— Winston Wright Jr. turned in one of his best practices since arriving at Florida State. He had at least four catches during 1-on-1's and 7-on-7, including a catch on a throw from Travis to a tight window. Wright Jr. turned up after the catch and showed off some speed. He's looking more comfortable each day.
— He's still a true freshman but the potential is evident with Brock Glenn once he gets Florida State's offense down. He had some impressive throws on Saturday, including a connection with Darion Williamson in a small window while Quindarrius Jones was all over him.
— Johnny Wilson has had some good battles early in camp. He was able to get the best of Renardo Green on a perfectly placed throw from Travis that allowed him to go up vertical for a catch.
— Tight end Jaheim Bell won a contested ball against Akeem Dent. Kyle Morlock matched him with a grab with KJ Kirkland on his heels. Markeston Douglas got love from Norvell for a blocking effort.
— True freshman Andre' Otto doesn't have the frame of a typical first-year player. I honestly didn't recognize him first and am extremely impressed with the size he already possesses. Otto will be an intriguing one to follow over the next few years.
— Bless Harris had back-to-back good reps against Byron Turner during 3-on-2 blocking drills. He ended the second off with a pancake.
— Other offensive linemen such as Byers and D'Mitri Emmanuel stood out during the drill as well.
DEFENSE:
— Jared Verse came into practice chirping which wasn't much of a surprise. It also wasn't very shocking when he put on a dominant display. Verse came away with at least one sack but it's his physicality and punch at the line of scrimmage that really catches your attention. His increased size is making him even better which will be scary for opposing teams.
— Fentrell Cypress II seems to be getting more comfortable at Florida State as the days go by. He was impressive on Friday and turned things up a notch on Saturday, hauling in his first interception of preseason camp during 1-on-1's.
— A player who we mentioned yesterday as looking more confident in a new position is safety Kevin Knowles. Like Cypress II, he pulled down an interception during practice that had the entire defense fired up.
— Quindarrius Jones stood out during Friday's practice, ripping down an interception and pass deflection. He carried that effort into Saturday as Jones was nearly in position to force two more turnovers on passes that just barely bounced off his hands. On one play, Jones positioned himself in front of the wide receiver to prevent a catch. The true freshman might find himself with a role in 2023 if he keeps this going.
— Omar Graham Jr. recorded a tackle for loss early in practice.
— Braden Fiske, Darrell Jackson, and Joshua Farmer were all dominant in their reps against the offensive line during 3-on-2's. Jackson, in particular, has extremely violent hands and made it look a little too easy.
— Ayobami Tifase is another young player that has improved over the offseason. He got some praise from Norvell for a rep during 3-on-2's before making life tough on the offensive line in team drills. Tifase easily got by Qae'Shon Sapp to force a throwaway before getting through for a tackle for loss later on in the period.
— Greedy had a nice recovery for a pass deflection while defending Coleman. He got his hands on another pass later in practice.
— Been very impressed with DJ Lundy in pass coverage early in camp. He blanketed Preston Daniel to prevent a completion. Lundy also prevented Wilson from making a catch in the end zone later in practice.
— Akeem Dent made a great read to come up and deflect a pass that was going to Wilson in the end zone.
— Malcolm Ray had a tackle for loss during team drills.
— Patrick Payton crashed in on the offensive line for a stop on the running back. A few plays later, Travis tried to throw short to Benson but Payton sniffed out the play and was there for the stop.
— Brian Courtney was in position to for a stop on a running back near the line of scrimmage. He forced an incompletion while guarding Jaheim Bell.
— Gilber Edmond brought down a running back after a short run.
— Christian White had a deflection near the end of practice.
READ MORE: Destyn Hill Walks Into First Preseason Camp With Florida State After Years Of Waiting
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