Florida State head coach Mike Norvell said progress is evident as the Seminoles move through spring practice — but cleanliness and consistency remain the focus heading into the team’s next scrimmage.
On Tuesday, March 31, Norvell spoke after FSU completed its eighth practice of the spring. After rewatching Saturday’s scrimmage, he said the offense is trending in the right direction across the board, though execution must improve.
“Coming off of Saturday, we want some things to be a little bit cleaner — just in our communication and operation,” Norvell said. “I like where things are trending, but there’s still a lot of competition.”
Florida State will not hold its next scrimmage at Doak Campbell Stadium, but Norvell said the Seminoles will continue to simulate game-like pressure situations, including two-minute drills. He said building on the positive momentum from the first scrimmage while limiting mistakes will be the priority.
“I want to see improvement in our overall situational awareness,” Norvell said. “As we get more reps, especially with new faces, that has to continue to grow.”
Devin Carter, Jasen Lopez, ‘part of the plan.’
Norvell has been encouraged by the emergence of several young receivers, highlighting freshman Darryon Williams after Tuesday’s practice while noting that Devin Carter and Jasen Lopez have positioned themselves to contribute early.
“They are going to play,” Norvell said. “They’d have to regress from where they are right now. I’m not saying they’re the first line — but from what you see in a short period of time, they definitely belong.”
Carter has been among the most consistent wideouts throughout the spring, while opportunities have opened behind veteran leaders Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy, who are also managing track and field commitments. Williams, EJ White and Lopez have taken advantage of the increased reps.
Lopez, a two-sport athlete, joined spring football later after spending the first two months with the men’s basketball team. He suited up during the second week of practice and played in full pads for the first time during the initial scrimmage.
“He’s already shown extreme intelligence in being able to move around in such a short period of time,” Norvell said. “Basketball had him early, but I’m proud of the work he’s putting in.”
How Mike Norvell describes the offensive line: They are really smart
Up front, the offensive line remains a work in progress as Norvell evaluates combinations while replacing all five starters from last season. He has challenged linemen to learn multiple positions, prioritizing versatility as spring practice continues.
“The best quality of that group is that they are really smart,” Norvell said. “You take a guy like Nate (Pabst), who’s played guard and tackle before — that carryover matters. Now it’s about cleaning up the finer details.”
Returning contributors Andre´ Otto at guard and Chavez “Sandman” Thompson at center have made strides, though roles remain fluid. Norvell said flexibility along the line could ultimately determine the final starting five.
With competition intensifying and another scrimmage ahead, Norvell said the Seminoles’ spring will be defined by how well improvement translates to execution — a standard he expects to rise as the season approaches.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mike Norvell demands cleaner execution as competition heats up at FSU
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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