Florida State has reached the point of preseason camp where the competition stops being abstract and starts getting real. After two weeks of work and a pair of scrimmages, Mike Norvell called this “move week” for the Seminoles, the stretch where players can climb the depth chart before the program shifts into game-week prep for New Mexico State.
“Excited to jump into this week and continue to get better. This is going to be a big move week for us,” Norvell said in a Zoom after Sunday’s scrimmage inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug.
- “We are starting to see who's emerging within the depth chart and really working to finalize some of those personnel groupings as we get ready for game prep here the following week.”
A few spots already look settled. Ashton Daniels is the starting quarterback.
Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy are the top two receivers. Ja'Bril Rawls and Ashlynd Barker are established pieces in the secondary.
But plenty is still in motion, and the next week of practice should help sort out the rest.
One of the biggest battles is at wide receiver, where the WR3 job is still there for the taking. True freshman Jasen Lopez has made a strong push and has been one of the most praised players in camp. Norvell said Lopez is earning his chances.
“He's still got plenty of things to be able to work on, plenty of things to grow in. But the mentality is one thing I do appreciate with him,” Norvell said. “We're challenging him, asking him to do a lot of different things ... but he's definitely answered the call in a lot of ways.”
Lopez may be the name to watch, but he is not alone. Jayvan Boggs, Devin Carter, Tae'Shaun Gelsey and Teriq Mallory are all part of that mix.
Carter turned heads in the spring as a true freshman and is positioned to get early reps even if he does not open as a starter. Boggs started last season as a freshman, though injuries have carried into his sophomore year.
If he’s healthy, he brings the kind of route-running ability that can change the picture quickly. Gelsey and Mallory are both in year two and have shown enough growth to be part of the conversation, even if they’re likely backups to start the season.
The secondary has its own unresolved spots beyond Rawls and Barker. Norvell pointed specifically to the fight for the second cornerback role after the scrimmage, with Nehemiah Chandler, Quindarrius Jones, Charles Lester III and Ricky Knight all trying to move up.
“I think it's very competitive right now,” Norvell said. “Q[uindarrius Jones] has been really good.
You see Nehemiah Chandler, Charles Lester had a really nice pick tonight. A guy that we challenged, Ricky Knight.
Who's going to emerge as one of those guys that can be counted on?”
Chandler arrives after an All-Sun Belt first-team season at South Alabama, where he posted 31 total tackles, two interceptions and 13 pass breakups. Jones is an experienced piece who has dealt with injuries but has looked sharp while healthy. Lester and Knight, both highly touted recruits, are still trying to turn potential into production, and this week could be a chance for one of them to separate.
Linebacker is another major puzzle. Chris Jones looks like the anchor in Tony White’s 3-3-5 scheme, but the spot next to him is still open.
Mikai Gbayor and freshman Izayia Williams have both missed time, and if they’re ready, they could be the pairing with C. Jones.
If not, the door stays open for veterans Caleb LaVallee, Omar Graham Jr. and Blake Nichelson.
Norvell singled out Graham, LaVallee and Nichelson while also noting Williams’ expected return soon.
“I think Omar Graham's playing really, really good ball. You're seeing guys like Blake Nicholson, Caleb LaVallee, that have been here.
I think everybody's talked about Chris Jones. He's definitely been a force,” Norvell said.
“He's the guy that you really like to see. Izayia Williams, he was out tonight, but expecting him to get back in action here in this next week or so.
A guy that I think is a young player who is going to have an opportunity to impact.”
The offensive line may end up being the biggest thing Florida State has to settle before the opener. That group will determine how much time Daniels has to throw and how much room the run game can find, making it central to whatever the Seminoles do this season.
Bradyn Welch-Joiner is set at center, and Xavier Chaplin is one of the tackles. Nate Pabst, André Otto and Chimdia Nwaiwu are also in the mix, but the unit does not appear finished yet. With the season fast approaching, this week could be the one that locks down the trenches.
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Ashton Daniels still gave the staff a few reasons to feel steady at quarterback, with Norvell pointing to his efficiency and leadership even on a night when the unit as a whole was uneven. Now the focus shifts from scrimmage feedback to the harder part of camp, with position battles and the depth chart set to clarify which players have done enough to move from evaluation mode into defined roles. [Read more 🡒]