Florida State took to the practice field for the third time this fall, the first day of pads for the Seminoles.
Head coach Mike Norvell, who was eager to get the Seminoles out of “pajamas,” told local media that his squad “did a good job of the way they attacked practice.”
“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.”
Among the developments Norvell described was the first padded work for true freshman linebacker Izayia Williams, who missed his senior season at Tavares High School with a torn ACL and was cleared for full participation entering camp. Norvell said Williams stood out on his opening repetition of a tackling drill.
“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.”
Asked about the offensive line, Norvell said the group has high potential and pointed to its communication and combination blocking in the opening days of camp.
“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.”
Speaking further about a defensive line group that has been characterized as undersized, built to slant and stunt, he said the front held up in the first padded practice without needing movement on 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 unit’s get-off has been a bigger factor 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 of the second level showed up as well.
“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.
Offensively, Norvell singled out freshman wide receiver Jasen Lopez for an impressive day, saying he had three big plays throughout the day, while adding the receiver group is benefiting from matchups it did not get in the spring, when defensive backs Quindarrius Jones and Ja’Bril Rawls were both limited.
“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.
He also pointed to the tight ends as a group he is watching closely.
“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.”
The full interview can be seen below, courtesy of Warchant.
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