Florida State’s first fall scrimmage brought a little bit of everything: a few held-out players, some early camp momentum, and a glimpse at how important Tom Herman may already be on Mike Norvell’s staff.
The Seminoles went through Scrimmage 1 on Tuesday night inside Doak Campbell Stadium, the first of three planned scrimmages before FSU opens the season against New Mexico State on August 29 in Week 0. If the weather cooperates, the next one is set for Sunday, August 9.
One of the main updates from the night involved who did not take part. Texas transfer running back Quintrevion Wisner and Iowa Western CC transfer quarterback Malachi Marshall were both held out on Tuesday. Marshall’s late arrival to Tallahassee in this transfer class appears to give Kevin Sperry a major edge in the battle for the QB2 job.
Wisner’s situation sounds less concerning. Offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. described it as something minor, and there’s no reason to think a few missed practices will affect his role. Even so, Ousmane Kromah’s rise could make the backfield picture more interesting.
Kromah was one of the names Norvell pointed to as a standout from the scrimmage, and Harris said his work as a pass protector has come a long way. Harris also praised the progress of returning back Samuel Singleton Jr., saying that “you could feel their development” of Kromah and Singleton.
Jasen Lopez also kept building buzz. Norvell said Lopez hauled in a deep ball from sophomore quarterback Kevin Sperry on Tuesday night, and Harris credited Lopez’s competitive streak as a big reason he’s in position to help early. He’s been pushing Jayvan Boggs for the starting slot receiver job while Boggs has been limited early in camp by an injury.
On defense, the Desir twins continue to look like they belong. Mandrell and Darryll Desir both drew plenty of concern from the fan base when they briefly entered the portal last offseason before returning to Tallahassee, but they’ve been getting steady praise throughout camp. Harris listed both twins among the defensive standouts from the scrimmage, along with Chris Jones, Ashlynd Barker, Quindarrius Jones, and Ja'Bril Rawls.
Jones, in particular, seems to set a certain tone. Tony White made that clear when he described the defense’s physical edge with a line that stood out immediately: “Chris Jones, first one that comes to mind, he wants to hit the soul out of you."
White also offered a look at how Herman is already helping behind the scenes. After the Seminole offense connected on a well-run screen during the scrimmage, White admitted he got too locked in on the negative and needed Herman to pull him back.
“Even last night, he talked me off a cliff," White told reporters on Wednesday. "They hit a play, and I'm charged up now.
I'm geeked the hell up because I'm like, we ain't about that stuff this year. And he's like, 'Hey Tony, don't worry about it.'
I'm like, okay, cool."
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Florida State Faces A Messy Ex-QB Fight With 2026 Implications
Florida States quarterback picture has picked up an unusual legal wrinkle, with Mike Norvell saying the program has been in contact with some former players about the possibility of a fifth year of eligibility after a federal court injunction changed the landscape for athletes in the Class of 2022. For the Seminoles, it adds another layer to the roster planning that always comes with quarterback turnover, only this time the discussion is tied to a shifting NCAA framework rather than the usual spring competition.
The most interesting part is how far the ripple could reach beyond one roster. A former Florida State quarterback is now at the center of a separate challenge to NCAA eligibility rules, and the result could help shape how teams and players navigate movement for 2026 and beyond. In other words, what starts as a personnel question in Tallahassee could end up being part of a much bigger fight over who gets to play, when they can move, and how long the rulebook keeps changing. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State's Week 1 Opener Just Got Much Bigger For Mike Norvell
Florida States ACC opener against SMU already carries plenty of weight as the Seminoles look to get rolling in conference play, but the spotlight around the game is growing beyond the standings. The matchup in Tallahassee will also bring one of the nations most coveted young prospects to campus, with five-star 2028 recruit Kameron McGee set for a visit as part of a busy national tour that includes other major programs.
For Mike Norvell, the timing makes the night feel bigger than a standard early-season test, because what happens on the field and around the program will both be watched closely. Florida State wants the kind of atmosphere that resonates with elite recruits, and McGees presence adds another layer to a game already loaded with meaning for a team trying to make an early statement in ACC play. [Read more 🡒]