Florida State’s third practice of fall camp brought the Seminoles into pads for the first time, and Mike Norvell liked what he saw.
Norvell said the group handled the day with energy and edge, even if the first padded session came with a few moments that need to be cleaned up.
“It was very competitive,” Norvell said. “Some heightened emotions, just your first day with shoulder pads on, so couple things we get to clean up and just control.”
He said the team “did a good job of the way they attacked practice,” which was exactly the kind of response he wanted once the “pajamas” came off and the physical work began.
One of the early standouts was true freshman linebacker Izayia Williams, who is working in pads for the first time after missing his senior season at Tavares High School with a torn ACL and entering camp cleared for full participation. Norvell pointed to Williams’ first rep in a tackling drill as a clear flash.
“I mean his very first rep. I mean speed, explosive, violent, and I was jumping on him, draped all over him,” Norvell said.
“He’s got the skill set, the traits. You can see there’s no hesitation.”
Norvell also spent time on both lines, where he sees real upside. On offense, he said the line has shown strong communication and combination blocking early in camp, while also dealing with a defense that has made every rep feel difficult.
“I mean there were some really good IDs, some really good things where you see guys working combinations,” Norvell said. “Obviously our defense has presented a lot of challenges, just with the explosiveness they have on the D-line.”
That defensive front drew plenty of praise too. Even with the group described as undersized and built to slant and stunt, Norvell said the first padded practice showed it can win without needing to rely on movement every snap.
“It’s a powerful group. I mean, some guys might not weigh 300 pounds, but I mean, they’re strong and they hold the point. They can knock people back,” Norvell said.
He added that the group’s burst has been the bigger story than its scheme.
“You don’t have to move this group every play for them to be explosive, and they’re showing that.”
Norvell said the speed behind that front has shown up as well, especially from the second level.
“I like the closing unit and I’m saying basically from linebackers, safeties, just seeing them fit the box, the speed that was showed up,” he said.
On offense, freshman receiver Jasen Lopez earned a mention after Norvell said he made three big plays during the day. He also noted that the receiver room is getting a better test now that defensive backs Quindarrius Jones and Ja’Bril Rawls are both available, unlike in the spring.
“When you get Ja’Bril and and Duce out there, two of the best in college football, competing, it’s fun watching that,” Norvell said of Rawls and senior wide receiver Duce Robinson.
Norvell closed by highlighting the tight ends as another group that has his attention.
“I think our tight end group, that’s the group I’m really excited about,” Norvell said. “Just the speed, the fight that they show.”
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