Florida State held its first scrimmage of the spring Saturday, and Mike Norvell came away encouraged by what he saw, emphasizing that there\u2019s still room for the team to grow as it figures itself out over the course of camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur sixth practice, so still relatively new with a lot of newcomers that have joined the program,\u201d he said, expanding later in his opening statement by noting that \u201cfor the most part, I thought the overall operation and communication was pretty good. There are some areas [to improve], not only with new players but also with new coaches, of figuring out how we\u2019re going to operate. Right now we\u2019re not in the stadium, so we\u2019re here on the practice field, and there are some limitations in the scrimmage setting \u2014 just trying to figure out where guys are, we\u2019re not in the press box, all that \u2014 but we\u2019re trying to make it as game-like as possible. I think for the next one, hopefully by the end of spring, we\u2019ll be able to get back in Doak.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Seminoles ran approximately 100 plays, and Norvell said the defense had highs \u2014 tackles for loss, consistent backfield pressure \u2014 coupled with lows, namely missed tackles in open space. The offense, he said, \u201cdid its thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were some explosive plays on both sides,\u201d Norvell said. \u201cStarted off opening drive, got a chance to see a pass play down the field \u2014 Ashton hit Jayvan Boggs on a big post, which is something that, for Boggs to see that next step in his progression as a receiver \u2014 I think he\u2019s had a great week, made some good plays today, but that was a good way to start the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boggs had what Norvell called a dominant Thursday practice before being pulled as a precaution after a minor tweak midway through Saturday\u2019s scrimmage:\u201cHe\u2019s got a lot of confidence, he\u2019s moving really well. He\u2019s put himself in position to really be a key figure in what we\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norvell was especially excited about what he saw from the freshmen on offense, giving high praise to receiver Devin Carter. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing he\u2019s doing that\u2019s shocking me,\u201d Norvell said. \u201cHe\u2019s got tremendous versatility, continuing to grow and get stronger each day. The mental part of the game \u2014 he embraces that understanding.\u201d Fellow freshman receiver Jasen Lopez played his first live practice Saturday after an acclimation period coming off the basketball season and had a couple of big catches despite limited preparation time, while running back Amari Thomas also had a notable run.<\/p>\n
The backfield saw contributions across the board, with Norvell highlighting sophomore Ousmane Kromah in particular for a run that drew praise from defensive coordinator Tony White after practice, saying that Samuel Singleton and Quintrevion Wisner both had explosive runs as well. \u201cI thought the running backs did a nice job,\u201d Norvell said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to go back and watch all the protections, but for the most part I thought we were pretty clean.\u201d<\/p>\n
One defensive position group in particular that drew accolades from Norvell was the linebacker room, with the head coach saying that Blake Nichelson and Omar Graham Jr. were \u201cflying around,\u201d with both Caleb and Noah LaVallee getting shoutouts as well as Karon Maycock.<\/p>\n
He said there was a notable difference on defense when they simplified things, \u201cjust played some base and let guys get off blocks, make tackles, win on pass rushes\u2026there\u2019s some violence that showed up across the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like the way we\u2019re coaching that group up front \u2014 T-Knight, Nick Williams \u2014 those guys are doing a nice job. The energy is there\u2026within this defense, we\u2019re going to have pressures that involve all levels, so even the safety and corner positions, you felt them in the run game as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
At this point, Norvell said he doesn\u2019t feel either side of the ball has an edge on the other. \u201cThere are things that every explosive play brings \u2014 excitement on one side, disappointment on the other,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to see speed on defense, I want to see physicality. Offensively, I want to see open-field guys who can make guys miss, guys who when their number is called have to go make the one-on-one play, push the ball down the field. For six practices, I think we\u2019ve got a pretty good glimpse of where we are, and it\u2019s going to be a big week moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
FSU\u2019s quarterback competition continues to unfold as Daniels and redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry continue to duke it out over the starting gig.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were good. It\u2019s a first scrimmage \u2014 good and bad really did show up on both of them. They both had explosive plays that showed up today, and there were also some plays that you just have to grow from. If you look back, I think Ashton had a really good first week. We\u2019re grading everything. He\u2019s placing the ball at a high percentage \u2014 today there were a couple we missed. I think Kevin has had a good first week too. There were some plays he was looking to clean up, and I thought he made a couple really nice throws on things he had missed earlier in the week \u2014 definitely a great response for him.\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really good room, and those guys are battling. Today was a really solid day for them \u2014 because of the good, and then the things we have to get corrected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norvell, asked to expand on Daniels as a person and competitor, said that he\u2019s \u201cbeen pleased with what he\u2019s done within the locker room and how he operates on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the thing that everybody pointed back to: take the talent and ability, but you add in the work ethic and the player, and I think that\u2019s why you\u2019ve seen the improvement he\u2019s had,\u201d Norvell said. \u201cJust in the last year with the opportunities he got playing last season \u2014 with what I\u2019m getting to see out on the practice field, the way the team works with him since he\u2019s been here. He\u2019s not afraid to speak his opinion, not afraid to call guys up to a standard. He\u2019s definitely a guy who is pushing himself to show that leadership capability. He\u2019s been good.\u201c<\/p>\n
Florida State returns to the practice field on Monday, the first of three practices before its second scrimmage of the spring on April 4.<\/p>\n
Florida State football: Head coach Mike Norvell post-scrimmage press conference, March 28, 2026<\/p>\n
MIKE NORVELL: Alright, good morning, everybody. Appreciate everybody jumping on. It was a good first scrimmage to get out there and see guys work. Our sixth practice, so still relatively new with a lot of newcomers that have joined the program.<\/p>\n
There were some explosive plays on both sides. Started off opening drive, got a chance to see a pass play down the field \u2014 Ashton hit Jayvan Boggs on a big post, which is something that, for Boggs to see that next step in his progression as a receiver \u2014I think he\u2019s had a great week, made some good plays today, but that was really a good way to start the day offensively.<\/p>\n
I thought the defense responded well. Was able to create some TFLs, got some pressure on the quarterback. Some guys were definitely flying around, playing fast. There are things you\u2019ll see in a first scrimmage. We\u2019ve got to continue to get better. Had some open-field missed tackles, which was positive for the guys with the ball in their hands but negative on the defensive side. There were some times we allowed bigger runs than what were maybe needed, but guys were running hard.<\/p>\n
For the most part, I thought the overall operation and communication was pretty good. There are areas [to improve] \u2014 not only with new players, but also with new coaches \u2014 of how we\u2019re going to operate. Right now we\u2019re not in the stadium, so we\u2019re here on the practice field, and there are some limitations in the scrimmage setting. We\u2019re trying to make it as game-like as possible. We\u2019ll have that for the next one, and hopefully by the end of spring we\u2019ll be able to get back in there.<\/p>\n
It was a good work day. Some young players rose up. I was really pleased to see guys go out there and make plays. I know Devin Carter had a play, Jasen Lopez, Amari Thomas had a big run. And the veteran guys are just continuing to push and get better.<\/p>\n
We tried to have a good amount of balance \u2014 run and pass \u2014 throughout it. Defensively, there were some series where we didn\u2019t pressure, just played base and saw guys get off blocks and make tackles. When we went to pass rush, that definitely showed up. I thought the linebacker position played with good speed today. It definitely felt like there was some violence across the field. All in all, it was a good day. Got about 100 plays, which is right around \u2014 maybe a little more than \u2014 what I wanted.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: When you look back at last season, there were some explosive plays, but it seemed like the offense sometimes got bogged down in the red zone. Is that something that you think about in the spring, or is it more just a new year, building in a new direction?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: We started with that. The very first thing we did was put the ball at the 10-yard line and said, let\u2019s go play. There were a couple good drives and a good defensive stop.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve mixed up those situations. I think it was the fourth practice we had our first red zone emphasis, just to make sure we\u2019re getting work in that area. I don\u2019t want it to become too scheme-heavy \u2014 we\u2019re trying to teach concepts \u2014 but there are certain things you want to do down there.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll build on that throughout the offseason, but we\u2019ll get a good amount of red zone work this spring because we know we\u2019ve got to be better offensively.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: You mentioned Amari Thomas had a big run. Overall, how did you feel the running back room handled today?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: I thought they did a good job. Each of them had their moments. We got 100 plays, there were a lot of opportunities. Some explosive runs.<\/p>\n
I know Ous \u2014 Ousmane Kromah \u2014 had an incredible run that went all over the field. Coach White called him up after practice to compliment the effort on that play. Sam Singleton and Tre [Wisner] both had big runs that showed up as well.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve got to make sure we\u2019re continuing to improve. There were a couple we left out there \u2014 credit to the defense for penetrating and not letting us get to the next level. It was good back and forth. I thought the running backs did a nice job. I\u2019ve got to go back and watch protections, but for the most part we were pretty clean. They also showed they could catch the ball out of the backfield in different situations and allowed us to get drives started.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: What were your general thoughts on quarterback play today, and are either of those guys distinguishing themselves or separating themselves at this point?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: I thought they were good. First scrimmage \u2014 good and bad that really did show up for both. They both had explosive plays that showed up and some plays you have to grow from.<\/p>\n
Ashton Daniels had a really good first week. We\u2019re grading everything that we\u2019re doing, and he\u2019s completing the ball at a high percentage. Today there were a couple that we missed.<\/p>\n
Kevin Sperry has had a good first week as well. There were some plays he was looking to clean up upon, but I thought he made a couple really nice throws off things he had missed earlier \u2014 that was a great response for him. It\u2019s a really good room. I think those guys are battling. Today was, I\u2019d say, a solid day because of both the good and some of the things we\u2019ve got to get corrected.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: Now that you\u2019ve been around Ashton for a few months, what have you learned about his personality \u2014 you know him as a player from film, but what have you learned about him as a person, as a competitor?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: I\u2019ve been really pleased. We did as much research on him as you can imagine, just the people you talk to, and that was the thing everyone pointed to. Has ability, but you add in the work ethic, the player.<\/p>\n
I think that\u2019s why you see the improvement over the last year and what he\u2019s doing now. The way the team works with him since he\u2019s been here, he\u2019s not afraid to speak an opinion, not afraid to call up to a standard. He\u2019s pushing himself to show leadership capability.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been good. I\u2019ve been pleased with what he\u2019s done in the locker room and also how he operates on the field.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: When you mentioned the forcing unit being disruptive and getting to the backfield \u2014 defensive line, linebackers \u2014 just beyond today, how has that group been collectively through five practices?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: It\u2019s been good. It all works together, especially in this defense.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been some active movement up front. I like the way we\u2019re coaching the defensive line. I like the way we\u2019re coaching that group up front \u2014 T-Knight, Nick Williams \u2014 those guys are doing a nice job. The energy is there.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve had some great additions at linebacker. I felt Blake Nichelson today and Omar Graham today \u2014 those guys were flying around. When you have a group that can run and is physical, it\u2019s good.<\/p>\n
Caleb LaVallee is getting back out there \u2014 you feel his presence. Great speed, definitely a physical player. Noah LaVallee showed up big today, had a pick late, was active in the backfield. He\u2019s a guy who\u2019s trending really well \u2014 tough, smart, very instinctive for a guy who should still be in high school.<\/p>\n
Karon Maycock showed some good things. We\u2019ve got a good group at linebacker. And in this defense, pressure comes from all levels \u2014 even the safety position. You felt the safeties and corners in the run game as well.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: As a follow-up \u2014 how has the offensive line dealt with the challenge that collective group has brought?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: It\u2019s definitely challenging early, but they\u2019ve done a good job \u2014 especially the first six, seven, eight guys with a little more experience. They\u2019re handling it well.<\/p>\n
But each rep is another opportunity to build cohesiveness. Against an aggressive, attack-style defense \u2014 you\u2019ve got to be connected. There have been some really good looks, teaching moments. It\u2019s a smart, engaged group trying to play to a standard. I\u2019ve got a lot of confidence in what it will be as we continue to work.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: In general \u2014 and I know it\u2019s hard with different groupings and rotating guys \u2014 do you have a sense of either side of the ball being ahead of the other so far in spring?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: I don\u2019t. Every explosive play brings excitement for one, and disappointment for the other side.<\/p>\n
I want to see speed on defense, physicality \u2014 we\u2019ve done that. But offensively, we\u2019ve done some good things in the run game through a variety of schemes. Today I wanted to see open-field ability \u2014 guys making people miss, winning one-on-ones, pushing the ball downfield.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s always going back and forth, but the things we need to see through six practices we\u2019ve gotten a good glimpse. It\u2019ll be a big week moving forward.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: Coach, did you go live on special teams? Did you get a good look at Gabe and Daniel and some of the return men?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: It\u2019s one of those things early \u2014 I\u2019m excited about what I\u2019m seeing, especially at punt returner.<\/p>\n
Sam Singleton back there, some running backs, and skill guys. In kick return, I\u2019ve got a lot of confidence in what that\u2019s going to look like.<\/p>\n
We were full speed but not tackling returners here, early. We have a really good group of punt returners \u2014 caught the ball well, definitely explosive. Jayvan Boggs \u2014 I\u2019ve seen some really good things. A couple newcomers \u2014 Devin Carter and Jasen Lopez have been very natural. He\u2019s been very natural and fluid.<\/p>\n
It was good being outside with some wind \u2014 it added challenges for the specialists. Some good and bad showed up, but overall it was a good day.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: Coach, how are things with you and Tim Harris running the show together in a scrimmage environment?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: It was good. We split up series \u2014 some I called, some Tim called \u2014 to let me move and do things on both sides to manage different situations.<\/p>\n
Tim\u2019s outstanding \u2014 a great coach and leader. He\u2019s doing a wonderful job with the offense. Communication was pretty clean for a first scrimmage, but there are still areas we\u2019re going to build through.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: At the top you mentioned a couple of wide receivers \u2014 Jayvan Boggs, Devin Carter. I\u2019m curious about those two today. And specifically with Jayvan \u2014 last year he had flashes but dealt with injury and never really got traction. How has he responded this spring?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: Boggs had a great week. Thursday he was dominant really as a receiver. Today, especially starting off early, he had a little tweak midway through, so we held him out as a precaution. Had some good work early, had a really good week and I\u2019m excited about what I\u2019m seeing. He\u2019s moving well, stronger in the offseason, playing with confidence. He\u2019s put himself in position to be a key figure in what we\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n
Devin has come in with maturity. He can run \u2014 I\u2019ve watched him for years, I\u2019ve seen him grow up. Nothing he\u2019s doing surprises me. Tremendous versatility, continuing to grow and get stronger with each day, but the mental side of the game, he embraces that understanding. He catches the ball well. I\u2019m really pleased there.<\/p>\n
Today was Jasen\u2019s first live day after acclimating from basketball. He was in a helmet the first two days. He jumped right into the scrimmage and had a couple big catches \u2014 obviously some things that he\u2019s got to get more reps at, but he showed some good things today.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: I know you\u2019re hosting your Legacy Weekend with some former players back. What kind of messages are they sharing, and do you see these new players responding to that?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: They\u2019ve done and are doing what these guys hope and desire to be. When you hear their experiences and the chance to understand the standard and expectation of what we\u2019re asking these guys to do, it was the same standard and expectation that those guys got to work through.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t always easy and didn\u2019t always look good, but they made the choice to elevate themselves. I love having them back. I\u2019m proud of them for what they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n
To hear them pour into what the future is \u2014 I\u2019m just really proud of them.<\/p>\n
QUESTION: Mike, you saw Micahi Danzy yesterday in his race. How excited are you for him in year two, getting involved in the offense \u2014 specifically that speed and explosiveness that you like?<\/p>\n
NORVELL: I\u2019m really proud of him. We\u2019ve been smart with him, keeping him non-contact throughout, but he\u2019s growing as a route runner. First week he did some really good things \u2014 caught the ball really well. It\u2019s hard doing what he\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n
This week he had a meet. Really focused on track this week. Definitely proud \u2014 I got to watch him in the 4×400, seeing him bring it home was special. [Track and field coach Matt] Kane has them rolling pretty good.<\/p>\n
Micahi has an elite ceiling. His work ethic and sacrifice is going to allow him to get there. I\u2019m really proud of him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Florida State held its first scrimmage of the spring Saturday, and Mike Norvell came away encouraged by what…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":840428,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[10867,7,49,48],"class_list":{"0":"post-840427","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-florida-state-football","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-ncaa","11":"tag-ncaa-football"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116310957623527049","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=840427"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840427\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/840428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=840427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=840427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=840427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}