Mike Norvell said the quarterback competition between Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry has no definitive timeline, and both need to improve after “good and bad” in Florida State football’s second spring scrimmage.
The battle has taken shape during spring practice, and Norvell said it could spill into the fall if the program doesn’t feel confident in naming a starter at the end of 15 practices, which includes three scrimmages.
Daniels was expected to be the starter when he was brought in as a transfer from Auburn, but as the Seminoles continue to go through spring camp, a battle has emerged in what is described as a “competitive room.”
“When you look at Kevin, he’s continuing to grow in what he’s being asked ot do. Driving the ball with more and more confidence and where it needs to go and what it needs to look like,” Norvell said in a Zoom press conference. “Ashton has come in and done a good job in learning the offense. There are still some of the finer details that he can grow from. He’s done really well for the bulk of spring ball. Pleased with his progression and where that’s at.
We’ll see as we get through spring practice where those things stack up in 15 practices of work. If we are ready to make a decision, we’ll be willing to. If it’s something that’s going to stretch into fall camp, that’s something we’ll evaluate as we continue to get closer.”
The Seminoles’ offense did not perform to “the standard of how they want to see” players play in the scrimmage, and Norvell said that there were three takeaways forced. He credited the defense for “starting fast” and playing at a high level, but felt mistakes offensively cost the team yardage.
Both Daniels and Sperry hit on explosive plays, and both had moments to grow from, according to Norvell.
“I think there was good and bad. I have to go back and watch, I think each quarterback had a couple of decisions that they have to learn from, they’ve got to be better from,” Norvell said. “There were some good plays, some explosive plays that did show up later. Guys pushed the ball down the field.
There is also some situations where it didn’t really matter who was playing quarterback. We’ve got to be better at surrounding the quarterback to put them in a better situation.”
Norvell reiterated that both quarterbacks are being graded on “everything they do.” Not for the first time this spring, Norvell said the “best guy is going to play.”
“For us, it’s about who is owing the offense… the best quarterback is going to play. If we get to the point that we name a starting quarterback and somebody beats that guy out… that’s part of this game. It’s going to always be competitive,” Norvell said. “This is a group that I am excited about. I’m excited about the way that they’re working with each other, challenging each other but also encouraging each other, for the best to be what shows up.
I think that continues to elevate the competition in the room.”
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Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football’s QB battle continues after ‘good and bad’ in scrimmage
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
