Florida State opens spring camp tomorrow (March 19th) as they begin preparing a new-look Noles squad for a rebound season in 2025. From new staff members and schemes to new players across the board, there is a lot to be on the lookout for during camp. Although it is still early, this will be our first opportunity to get a feel for what this team may look like.
Remember that there is no spring game this year and FSU head coach Mike Norvell just announced that spring practice will be closed to the media except for one scrimmage. This is going to present a challenge in getting a true read on these things, but it’s what we have to work with. With that said, here’s what I’ll be looking for from what reports we do get coming out of spring camp.
Physicality: During the introductory press conferences for the new coordinators, they both made it a point to mention being physical and how that starts in practice. It’s a talking point that has been echoed multiple times in how they plan to practice and play. Physicality seemed absent from last year’s team and could have been a byproduct of how they practiced. We have spoken about how we weren’t fans of some of the drills we’ve seen on video and that they didn’t tackle in practice. It’s hard to turn on that edge on Saturdays when you haven’t practiced it all week. Poor tackling plagued this team last season and has been an issue even before that. With the new staff and emphasis on being physical, I am interested to see how different this year’s practices will look. This is one of my top questions to watch for this spring.
Leadership: Leadership was one of the most noticeable qualities that last year’s team lacked. There were reports throughout the season that the staff had to force energy in practice when times got tough and asked guys who were typically not vocal leaders to step up. Even incoming transfer quarterback Thomas Castellanos said he felt the locker room lacked leadership when he arrived. This year’s team consists of some returning veterans like Darrell Jackson, who James Willimas shouted out as someone who has risen as a leader on the defense and team. Castellanos has talked about his desire to lead the team and their welcoming him to do so. They have also added some guys from the portal who were big-time players at their programs. The emergence of leadership on this team will be a key component to success in 2025. Just look at the impact it made in previous years with guys like Jared Verse and Jordan Travis. Let’s see who steps up because this team needs leaders.
New Systems: It’s no secret that FSU is going to be installing new offensive and defensive systems this season, which makes spring camp even more critical. This team will not get a tune-up game as they open with Alabama, so things must start to click sooner rather than later. I don’t expect them to be in midseason form during spring training, but what I don’t want to hear about is trouble getting lined up, sloppiness, and spending too much time on the basics toward the end of camp. The polishing will come over the summer and into the fall, but having a good foundation starts now.
Offensive Line: Does the group look competent? Last year’s unit was one of the worst in Power 4 football. The offense’s success hinges on this getting fixed. Good or even great would be nice, but just being competent is a big step forward from last year. Is Richie Leonard healthy and ready to return? Who will step up to be the sixth, seventh, and eighth guys? What will this line look like under new offensive line coach Herb Hand?
Quarterback: Does the emerging starter (assuming it’s going to be TC) have command of the offense and is a leader? This is a run-heavy offense, and the QB is likely going to be in a green jersey, so I’m looking for how he throws, his chemistry with the receivers, calling the offense, etc. Has Brock Glenn progressed enough to contend for the starting spot or at least be a solid backup? Is Trever Jackson still around? He feels like a great fit for Malzahn’s offense but often seems to get overlooked.
Running Back: Not as worried about this group as some others. They have plenty of talent and depth again this year. What I’m watching for is who is going to step up and take the RB1 spot. Gus has primarily used one or two guys, so who is going to step up with Toafili gone? I can’t wait to see Osumane Kromah because that kid is different, but he is a summer enrollee, so the anticipation will have to wait. Has Kam progressed? Was Roydell’s struggles a product of being behind a bad offensive line? Where does Sam Singleton fit into this group?
Receiver: Can we actually catch the ball? I wish I was kidding, but I’m not. FSU had one of the highest drop rates in college football last year. With a new coach and some faces at the position, can this group turn things around in 2025? How does the perimeter blocking look? That’s a big part of Malzahn’s offense. Of course, we want to hear about the newcomers (Duce and Squirrel), but what about the others? How is Danzy’s transition to receiver going? Is Jalen Lucas back 100%? Are we ever going to see Hykeem take off and live up to that 5-star rating? How are they using all the size they brought in? How are the young guys progressing? Elijah Moore, BJ Gibson (currently playing baseball), Jalen Brown, Lawayne McCoy.
Tight End: How are they going to use Randy Pittman? He can be an H-back, TE, and/or slot like Jaheim Bell was. Landen Thomas flashed last year as a freshman, but is he ready to step into the starting role with Morlock gone? Biscuit is back! What are we going to get from him? Does Chase Loftin look like he can contribute as a freshman? We WILL probably need him to at some point. How is Amaree Williams splitting reps between TE and DL?
Offensive Overview: I don’t think there are as many position group battles on offense as on defense. To me, it’s more about filling out the depth chart/rotation order. We know Castellanos is likely going to start at QB. We know the transfers are probably going to start on the OL and at WR. Who will fill in the gaps? Is there chemistry and competition? Will someone take one of those starting spots? These are the main offensive points I’ll be watching for.
Defensive Tackle: Is Darrell Jackson ready to dominate? We’ve heard stories from the past that FSU struggled to run practice in the past because he was so dominant. I’m not saying Jackson was bad by any means, but it did not look that way on the field at times last year. Was it because the offensive line was just that bad? It is his money year, and he has the size and tools to be dangerous. Is this the year it finally comes together for the big man under new DL coach Terrance Ferguson? What does the rest of the depth chart look like at defensive tackle because this is one of my concerns heading into this season. If we run a 3-3-5, we’re probably fine. However, going to an even front might create some depth concerns. Who is ready to start behind or alongside Jackson? I like Daniel Lyons, who looked good last year and is likely DT2. After that, who? KJ Sampson is the only other returning DT who played over 100 snaps (115) and had a PFF grade of 55. D’Nas White? Jamorie Flagg? How is Kevin Wynn looking because he is probably going to play a lot as a freshman. This position has been under-recruited for years, and the level of talent down the depth is still a concern of mine.
Defensive End: FSU will be replacing both starters this season. Luckily, they only have about 50 edge players to choose from. Is James Williams that dude? We heard a lot about him, but he was still a rotational/situational piece at Nebraska (he only played 188 snaps). They had a deep and talented DL at Nebraska, but we need him to be a starter right now. Is he ready for that role? The same goes for Tennessee transfer Jason Jenkins. Lots of upside but also got buried on a talented line last year (214 snaps). He’s another guy you’re probably going to need to start in game one. Unfortunately, in Norvell’s pre-spring presser, he advised that Jenkins will miss spring camp adding validity to the injury rumors that were floated around earlier this month. How do the G5 transfers look? (Deante McCray and Deamontae Diggs). Sometimes that works – Braden Fiske. Sometimes it doesn’t – Grady Kelly. What about the rest of the room? Jaden Jones and Aaron Hester are both upperclassmen who have never contributed during their time in garnet and gold. I like both players. Is this the year they earn some playing time? Tyland Coleman, coming over from JUCO, could be a contributor, but JUCO guys have been hit-or-miss for FSU. The young guys: Tylon Lee and the Desir twins. Can they contribute in 2025?
Linebacker: This is an interesting one to watch. You have incoming veterans and guys who showed potential at FSU last year. I think Elijah Herring can be the anchor in the middle of the defense. He played over 700 snaps at Memphis and previously led Tennessee in tackles before transferring. He may not be the best in coverage, but I’d say he’s the best overall linebacker you’ve got right now. Stefon Thompson is the one I have my eyes on the most. Who is he? He went from a starter at Syracuse to a backup/rotational player at Nebraska as a 5th-year senior. Why? His PFF grades were good, and Tony White felt good enough about him to bring him to FSU. Then you have the returning players. Omar Graham Jr., who FSU brought back out of the portal. He had a rough start last year but ended up being one of your best linebackers at the end of the season. Blake Nichelson is a talented player who is poised to start after gaining lots of experience last season. Juice Cryer had flashes before he got hurt. Caleb Lavallee is still young but looked great in UNC’s bowl game. Jayden Parrish is in year two now. Who is going to be the leader of this group, and how will the depth chart be filled out? There is a nice variety of skill sets in this group, and this is one where I expect there to be legitimate position battles going into the fall.
Cornerbacks: FSU must replace 3 starters and didn’t bring in any transfers, so that says they must like what they have. Quindarrius Jones, Edwin Joseph, and Ja’Bril Rawls played the most last year and showed flashes. I think Jones and Joseph are poised to be your starters, but they also like Cai Bates, Ricky Knight, and Charles Lester. It’s going to be a younger group than we’re used to after the past few years, but I like the talent level, and these guys proved to have that dog mentality last year, which I like.
Safety: This might be one of the most unsure position groups of the defense. Shyheim is back as a RS-SR, and he’s looked the part in the past but had a down year last year. Unfortunately, Norvell stated he is going to miss most of spring camp, but may be able to return towards the end. KJ Kirkland could be poised for a starting role after playing 434 snaps as a RS-Fr. last year. Conrad Hussey was one of my breakout players ahead of last season, and well, that was a disappointment. Earl Little Jr. made the move to safety last year and was probably the most physical of the bunch. With a year of experience now under his belt at the new position, he could be one to watch. The talent is certainly there. Then you also have Ashland Barker, who played 135 snaps last year. You have some pieces to choose from, but what are you going to get out of them?
FSU must replace two of the best specialists in the country. This is not something that should be overlooked. They were honestly the two best players at their positions on the team last season. What do the new specialists look like? Also, I’ll be interested to see who is going to return kicks. Danzy flashed as a returner last year with a touchdown vs. Duke. Squirrel White is also a talented returner, but that poses additional injury risk for someone who was banged up last season. FSU has lacked a game-changing return game in recent years but has the speed to put weapons in the return game.
Stay tuned to Plant The Spear for Spring Camp coverage. Thanks for reading, and Go Noles!
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