Mike Norvell kicks off the upcoming season at ACC Kickoff 2024

Nothing says preseason college football more than the annual “State of the Union” by each college conference. The ACC kicked off its annual preseason media event on Monday, with Florida State at the center of it all (as it should be). Fresh off a season in which the Noles went 13-0 and won the ACC Conference championship before losing to 6th-ranked Georgia with a depleted roster, FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell looked like a man on a mission and a team ready to complete that mission with him.

“Our players, every day they showed up, and they really just emptied the tank,” Norvell said with immense pride. “I thought they had probably one of our best summers, collectively. As you sit there and look from January to reporting (on Tuesday), I could not be any more pleased with the investment from this group and what they’ve done to get us to this point.”

If you were to recall last year’s ACC Media kickoff, Norvell said similar things about that team, and we all saw what happened afterward. With over 70+ players returning from last season’s team and the slew of offseason transfers, including the presumed starter at quarterback in DJ Uiagalelei – Florida State is poised to add to their 23-4 record over the last two seasons that includes a 17-game regular season win streak. “Our objective this year is to go get better. Coming off what was a 13-0 regular season and championship game was something that was really a special experience for our entire program. It sets the stage and opportunity for us to continue to push and continue to elevate this program to ultimately where it deserves to be. That’s among the nation’s elite when you look across the course of college football.”

Speaking of the star QB, Norvell was very pleased with the progress DJ has made since arriving on campus in the off-season. “DJ has led with his humility coming into Florida State. He’s been an incredible young man in that locker room, and he’s been working to prove himself by how he’s investing in others,” Norvell told the ACC Channel Panel. DJ finished last season at Oregon State, completing 57.1% of his passes for 2,638 yards and 21 TDs. But for FSU’s offense to have the success it saw last season, Norvell knows it’s going to need more than just DJ to step up in performance.

Mike Norvell during press conference at 2024 ACC football kickoff
Mike Norvell at ACC Football Kickoff (Via ACC Media)

“As one steps out (in reference to the NFL drafted players), an opportunity and a door opens for the next. And we still have some great players returning, guys that have been so very impactful. But when you look at our offense right now, it starts up front for us. You look at guys like Darius Washington, Maurice Smith, Jeremiah Byers, Rob Scott – guys that have so much experience that are coming back. When you can start up front, it opens up so many doors for everything else,” Norvell said.

With 56% of last season’s offensive production returning, the Noles aren’t starting from scratch but from a position of strength while replacing NFL talent in the likes of Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, and Trey Benson. Norvell feels like FSU has done a great job of building not just depth but talented depth, especially in the wide receiver position group. Now, he’s just looking for consistency and who will step up.

“The receiver position is one I am really excited about; I am excited about the guys we have in the room. But who is going to emerge, who is going to take that step, who is going to be the consistency of performance? The execution, when you need the play, who’s ready to rise up and be that consistent go-to guy?” Norvell mentioned many of the wide receivers who he’s excited about including some of the freshmen who are now on campus.

While the offense might be somewhat of a work in progress as Alex Atkins and the offensive staff incorporate the new players – the defense, which returns 60% of its defensive production from last season, isn’t as much looking for consistency as it is looking to continue the elite defensive play it showed last season.

“Really excited about a couple of guys that we have here today. Pat Payton has been an all-conference performer and a former Rookie of the Year in the ACC. All-conference performer this past season. Really expecting him to take another step in his game. Josh Farmer is an all-ACC player on the defensive front. You look at all three phases of our defense. A guy like D.J. Lundy, who played so many snaps throughout the last four years of his time at Florida State. How he emerges as a leader within the course of this defense.” 

“The guys in the secondary. I think we got two of the best corners in the ACC, guys that are All-American type capabilities in Fentrell Cypress and Azareye’h Thomas. Experienced backfield with length, size, ability. I think our defense is as deep as it’s ever been. Been able to have some guys that have grown throughout their time here. But also coupling that with some newcomers that have come in, whether Marvin Jones, Jr., Sione, Cam Riley that’s joined in. You know, Earl Little, different guys that have been able to come in and complement the guys around that you’re really fired up about what that group can be,” Norvell said.

John Farmer at 2024 ACC kickoff
Josh Farmer at ACC Football Kickoff (Via ACC Media)

As for the season itself, Norvell knows that the Tyranny of the urgent is starting off the season the best they possibly can, with the first two games of the season being conference games, facing off against Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland and Boston College at home on Labor Day. “Excited about the days ahead. We have a great opener, kicking off in Dublin, Ireland. Kick off the college football season and doing so against a very talented opponent in Georgia Tech conference opener. Our first two games are conference games. There’s a sense of urgency to get off to the best start we possibly can.”

We here at Plant The Spear are excited for the season to kick off as well. And we don’t want you to miss one second of your source for authentic FSU coverage. Make sure you tune in on social media, the website, and our YouTube page for all things FSU Football as we kick off the 2024 college football season! Thanks for reading and Go Noles!  

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