The 2024 Florida State football team has begun its preseason prep as it heads into the 2024 season, looking to continue its climb back to the college football elite. This fall camp has been marked by intense and competitive practices, with the team donning full pads for the first time this week. The coaching staff observed notable improvements over three days, characterized by high player loads and explosive practice sessions.
However, Head Coach Mike Norvell mentioned concerns about the tempo and communication during the middle part of recent practices but also felt the team responded to the coaching to ensure practices closed out well. The team showed promise with explosive plays on both offense and defense, but the consistency in execution remains an area for improvement. Despite these few setbacks, this camp’s overall performance has been seen as positive, with a focus on building upon fundamentals and enhancing execution.
***As a reminder, we here at Plant The Spear don’t have access to the practices, so we rely on what we hear from the coaches and players in post-practice interviews, what we read on X (formerly Twitter), and insights from media members who do have access. With that being said, here’s what we’ve gleaned so far…
The performance of veteran players has been satisfactory. Expectations were high for these experienced individuals, and they have largely met them by playing with confidence and challenging themselves. Notably, Ja’khi Douglas and Kentron Poitier stood out, with Douglas having a strong last two days following an initial underperformance (a less-than-stellar practice on Sunday) and Poitier making significant plays.
The defensive front, particularly the linebackers, has shown positive progress. DJ Lundy’s limited participation has provided opportunities for others to shine, with Auburn transfer Cam Riley emerging as a promising player. The defensive backfield, expected to be a strength, has also shown room for growth but remains promising.
The coaching staff is focusing on accelerating the development of young offensive skill players by placing them in various positions to test their capabilities and understanding. The emphasis is on helping these players adjust to different defensive looks and improving their overall play comprehension.
Mike Norvell talked about how players might understand play names and concepts but may not fully understand the whole picture, especially when the defense is “changing the test questions.” Coaches are stressing the importance for these younger players, the freshmen, taking advantage of each rep and learning opportunities. Players like Elijah Moore, Lawayne McCoy, Amaree Williams, Sam Singelton, and Micahi Danzy have flashed many times.
Pics via FSU Football IG
In the trenches, both the offensive and defensive lines demonstrated physicality and explosiveness. The defensive tackle group, including Darrell, Josh, Grady Kelly, KJ Sampson, and Tomiwa Durojaiye, has been particularly impressive, showing significant progress.
The edge players also displayed strong performance, which is encouraging for the team’s defensive prospects. A name that has been a noticeable absence is Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. This is not to say that he has not been performing up to standard or better in practice, but it is something to take note that the coaches have not mentioned his name often in any of the six practices the team has had.
The defensive back position has been highlighted as a defensive strength. Azareye’h Thomas and Fentrell Cypress are seen as dynamic leaders who significantly impact the defense with their pass coverage and overall performance. It was good to hear that Fentrell is taking massive steps to improve upon last year’s performance. It’s not that he was bad by any means, but at times, there was more to be desired, and the hope is that he will be taking the next step this season.
The depth behind them is also promising. Among the younger cornerbacks, Quindarrius Jones, Charles Lester, Cai Bates, Edwin Joseph, and Ja’Bril Rawls have been notable. Lester, in particular, has shown substantial improvement, while Rawls has made significant strides despite initial limitations. Redshirt Jr. Shyheim Brown has been an anchor so far, and the hope is that he will also take another positive step toward that elite defensive back status. FSU also welcomes back Omarion “Duke” Cooper, who has flashed in several practice reports.
The quarterback group is performing well, with positive feedback on their understanding and execution. Clemson and Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei has been particularly impressive, showing remarkable ownership of the offense. We did hear that he had a practice (I believe it was practice three or four) where redshirt freshman Brock Glenn shined, and DJ didn’t look quite as good.
But to his credit, DJ bounced back the following practice and has since performed better and better. Speaking of Brock, he has also had standout days, and while Luke Kromenhoek is still adjusting, he is showing potential. Overall, the quarterbacks are growing into their roles and improving their performance.
One of the most pressing matters for the 2024 team is figuring out who among this deep wide receiver room will stand out and provide the consistency Norvell is looking for. We saw small examples last season from Hykeem Williams, Kentron Poitier, and Deuce Spann, but not enough to provide a high level of confidence in the consistency of performance.
Alabama Transfer Malik Benson has been seen as the defacto #1 in that room, and the practice reports we’ve seen and heard lend a lot of credibility to that notion. It has been mentioned on multiple occasions that Hykeem is a different player, body-wise, mentally, and what has shown up on the practice field.
Overall, you get the impression that fall camp has been moving in a positive direction with significant progress in several areas. The team has shown explosive play-making ability and strong performances from both veteran and younger players. Areas for improvement include consistency in execution, tempo, and communication. The development of young players, particularly in the trenches and cornerback positions, as well as the progress of key individuals like Cam Riley and Lawrance Toafili, are promising signs for the team’s 2024 football season success.
Make sure you tune into the Plant The Spear podcast on YouTube, or any of your favorite podcast apps, and stay connected right here at plantthespear.com for all your coverage of the 2024 Florida State Seminoles Football Team. Thanks for reading and Go Noles!
Mike Norvell Post-Practice Presser 7/30/24
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