As the final patches of sod nestle into the ground of the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State football is putting the finishing touches on its preparation for No. 8 Alabama, both on and off the field.
The Seminoles completed preseason camp with 16 total practices and a pair of scrimmages before turning attention to a headline-grabbing week one showdown with the Crimson Tide.
With new quarterback Tommy Castellanos and coordinators Gus Malzahn and Tony White, the new look FSU roster has a lot to prove. A year removed from the nightmarish 2-10 season, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell hit the reset button as he hopes to prove last year was an anomaly, and not the standard.
With Alabama set to roll into town on Aug. 30, here are three things I like and don’t like ahead of the week one clash:
I like: Big personalities, leaders have emerged already
One of the most notable differences in this season’s Seminoles team is the big personalities within the team, with players like Duce Robinson and Jeremiah Wilson embracing leadership roles. The pair are outspoken, fight to be the first at the facility, and have brought their teammates along with them.
From the comedic, outgoing energy of Wilson or the professional approach of Robinson, the pair have embraced responsibilities to perform on the field, and bring those around them up to the same level. Pair that with the confident output from Castellanos, and it’s a stark difference from an at times quiet and timid FSU team in 2024.
When the Seminoles are good, they’ve got big personalities in play, think Jameis Winston, Jarrian Jones, Keon Coleman, Jalen Ramsey and many more. That’s not saying that Castellanos, Robison and Wilson are going to be at the same level, but it’s a noticeable change in attitude in comparison to last season, and a needed one.
I question: FSU starters are good, now what about the depth?
The Seminoles’ projected starters are rich with talent, and players like Robinson, Squirrel White, Darrell Jackson and Wilson all have big-time potential. But one key area of any successful team still remains a question for me, and that’s how good is the depth of the roster?
Some of the key areas where that question becomes pertinent are the offensive line and the defensive secondary. FSU rebuilt the offensive line in the portal, bringing in players like Micah Pettus, Luke Petitbon and Adrian Medley, among others, who have thousands of collegiate snaps under their belt, but behind them is a number of underclassmen who haven’t garnered a lot of experience, yet.
If the Seminoles stay healthy, the talent will help them win a fair amount this season. But should any injuries or suspensions pop up, the depth of the roster will be tested and will need to answer the call. What that looks like remains to be seen.
I like: FSU’s offense with Tommy Castellanos, Gus Malzahn will excite
It’s a low bar to clear, but FSU’s offense will be better than 2024’s, and at the very least, it will bring more excitement to Doak.
While excitement doesn’t equate to wins, the offensive potential with the mobile Castellanos and the creative schemes of Malzahn should keep FSU in the mix for the majority of the games on the schedule.
In his 19 years of coaching, both as coordinator and head coach, Malzahn’s teams have averaged 447.7 yards of total offense, with an average of 447.8 in the 2024 season.
Compare that to the dismal 270.3 yards of total offense the Seminoles averaged in 2024, and it’s clear that an upgrade will come, and has to come, with Malzahn’s offense this season.
FSU averaged 89.9 rushing yards last season, while the Knights recorded 248.1, nearly the total amount of yards the Seminoles had in a game. Malzahn will lean on transfer Gavin Sawchuk, freshman Ousmane Kromah, and veteran Roydell Williams alongside Castellanos to set up his patented run-first offense.
I question: Tony White challenged FSU’s defense for more physicality, can they consistently deliver?
Following the Seminoles’ second scrimmage of the preseason, White called out the effort and physicality of his defense.
It wasn’t a great sign considering how the FSU defense wilted away in the 2024 season, but, so far at least, the response to White’s challenge has produced results. The coaching staff has praised the response from the defense since White publicly called them out, but now it comes down to producing that level of physicality on a consistent basis.
White has had a top-25 defense in the last four seasons, so he knows what he’s looking for in his 3-3-5 scheme. With Alabama coming to town week one, it’s an opportunity for the defense to publicly showcase its response to White’s challenge.
From there, the question revolves around consistency and whether the same level of physicality can be delivered week in and week out. The only true way to answer that question comes with time.
I like: FSU football’s freshmen could be gamechangers
When it’s all said and done, some of the most important players on the Seminoles roster this season could end up being first-year players. The likes of wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, Kromah, defensive back Shamar Arnoux and defensive tackle Kevin Wynn are all expected to see the field, and potentially in a significant role.
High school recruitment and development has been a much pointed-to-needed area of improvement under Norvell, and this year’s class could be the first where he has multiple impact players come in right away. It’s likely both Boggs and Kromah are heavy contributors offensively, and could even start as early as week one against Alabama, with both earning widespread preseason praise.
Arnoux has a chance to play against Alabama, and while Wynn is hurt, he will likely be entrenched in the rotation along the defensive line when he returns from his injury. It’s a positive sign, and while some might expect the veteran players to be the standouts, the Seminoles’ freshmen might be the key to an improved season.
I question: Can Mike Norvell get the ‘desperation’ he wants to deliver a winning season?
The word Norvell has consistently used throughout the offseason is “desperation.” He wants a team, in his own words, “desperate to be at their best” on a daily basis.
Players and coaching staff alike have reiterated the message that Norvell has spread, and it seems, at least for now, the team has bought into it. What the “desperation” turns into, and if that is even enough, will be something that we learn come week one.
Norvell is in uncharted territory in his head coaching career as this is the longest he’s been at one place, and the first time he’s had to fire coaching staff members on a wide scale. With both Malzahn and White, and a number of new assistant and support coaches, Norvell has issued the challenge for his team.
Can they play with the edge and desperation he wants throughout the season?
Time will tell.
FSU football 2025 schedule
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: I like FSU football’s swagger, freshman talent, but still wondering about team’s depth
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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