Florida State ran through its final scrimmage of fall camp Sunday night at Doak Campbell Stadium, and if you’re looking for the headline, Mike Norvell gave it to you without much prompting. “If you had to say pick a winner of the day, I would say the defense definitely won the day,” Norvell told reporters afterward. Roughly 100 plays, the first live reps on kickoff and kickoff return, and a defense that spent the night making life difficult for the offense. That’s the short version. The longer version has some substance for a team three weeks from kickoff.
Defense Sets the Tone
The defensive line was the story Norvell kept coming back to. Mandrell and Darryll Desir, the program’s D-line twins, showed up “multiple times” according to the head coach, and edge rusher Jalen Anderson added what Norvell called a “great speed sack.” What stood out to Norvell wasn’t just the disruption; it was how it came. FSU got pressure out of a straight four-man rush on multiple third downs, not just from exotic blitz packages, which matters when opposing offenses start scheming around Tony White’s pressure calls in October and November. “The speed from the front end to the back of our defense, that’s going to be a great strength for us,” Norvell said. This was a major concern coming into the season after they struggled to do so last year, so that is nice to hear. However, it obviously raises some questions about the o-line, but we also don’t know if that was during “good-on-good” reps.
Ashton Daniels Keeps Building
Asked point blank whether Ashton Daniels has validated the decision to name him the starter coming out of spring, Norvell didn’t hesitate. “I love what I’ve seen from him throughout this first 10 days,” he said, pointing to Daniels’s “ownership of the offense” and calling him “highly efficient and explosive” in what the staff has asked of him. Daniels led multiple touchdown drives in the scrimmage. Norvell was careful to note there are still areas to sharpen, but the tone was clearly one of a coach pleased with his quarterback room, not searching for answers. Most of the camp reports on the starting signal-caller have been positive, but given his history, you have to expect some ups and downs.
In the backfield, Samuel Singleton Jr. and Ousmane Kromah both flashed, working in different colored jerseys that kept them out of full contact. “Sam had a big run. Ous has been great throughout the course of camp,” Norvell said. Tre Wisner sat out the scrimmage (now the second one he’s missed) but is expected back shortly. Given he is a proven veteran back, I’m not worried about it as long as he laces them up on game day.
Special Teams Take the Field
Sunday marked FSU’s first live look at kickoff and kickoff return, and Norvell liked the early returns. “There was some great speed down the field, guys making quick, full-speed decisions,” he said. He also flagged the punt unit as a developing weapon, with FSU showing multiple pressure looks throughout camp.
Moving Week Arrives
With the scrimmage window closed, FSU now shifts into what Norvell called “moving week,” the stretch where position battles start to resolve into an actual depth chart. Up front, Norvell wants the offensive line competition to produce depth beyond the top five. “You want to be able to have eight or nine that you can go into a game and play at a high level,” he said.
The secondary remains the most crowded competitive room on the roster. Quindarrius Jones and Nehemiah Chandler are still battling for reps opposite Ja’Bril Rawls, who returned to work Sunday after being limited earlier in the week. Charles Lester III added a notable interception, and true freshman Ricky Knight III continues pushing for snaps. At safety, Ashlynd Barker has been playing, in Norvell’s words, “at an elite level.”
Linebacker also has a lot of guys competing for roles, with Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson, Caleb LaVallee, and Chris Jones all in the mix. Norvell singled out Jones specifically, saying he’s “definitely been a force.” Freshman Izayia Williams missed the scrimmage but is expected back within the week, and Norvell views him as a player who, “as a young player, is going to have an opportunity to make an impact.”
At receiver, freshman Jasen Lopez continued to draw praise, with Norvell noting his mentality stands out more than anything. “He doesn’t really act like a freshman,” Norvell said. Lopez had a couple of clips go viral from their time in Jacksonville, most notably a ridiculous one-handed catch. It appears FSU might have a weapon developing at the WR3 position. Tae’Shaun Gelsey also got a specific nod for consistency throughout camp, joining established options Micahi Danzy and Duce Robinson in a receiver room the staff feels good about heading into the season.
Final Thoughts
FSU’s final scrimmage wasn’t about handing out a finished depth chart, and Norvell wasn’t pretending it was. But it gave a read on where the roster’s strengths are trending, up front on defense, steady at quarterback, and crowded in a good way at defensive back and receiver. The next two weeks are about settling the rest. New Mexico State comes to Tallahassee on August 29 to open the season, and Norvell made clear that moving week starts now. Thanks for reading and Go Noles!