Florida State football held its first scrimmage of the preseason inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The scrimmage is the first of two this week, with the second slated for Sunday, Aug. 9, also inside Doak, and it predates the Seminoles’ annual trip to Jacksonville to practice on the campus of the University of North Florida.
Head coach Mike Norvell said the team ran between 70-80 plays during the scrimmage, with multiple situational opportunities, including red-zone work and sustained drives.
Here are three takeaways from the Seminoles’ first scrimmage.
“Confident” Ashton Daniels continues to progress at quarterback
Norvell said quarterback Ashton Daniels did a “good job” leading the offense. He said the fifth-year’s command of the ball has been impressive, and he said Daniels is making good decisions.
“From where we left in spring to where he’s been in the six days, and even some of the decisions that he had tonight, you can just feel that command,” Norvell said of Daniels. “Really nice throws on third down… Where he’s able to place the football, it’s just been really good.”
Daniels has been lauded for his progress from the spring to now, but how that carries over into an actual game for the Seminoles is something still to be seen.
Sophomore Kevin Sperry had a big vertical play to freshman wide receiver Jasen Lopez. Norvell complimented Sperry for that, and said there are some things to “continue to work on” in the quarterback room.
Elsewhere offensively, Micahi Danzy scored a touchdown, and he continues to earn praise for his performance in camp so far. Running back Ousmane Kromah is emerging as the lead back in the running back room.
Ashlynd Barker again leads the defensive standouts
Arguably the most talked about player of the Seminoles’ preseason is safety Ashlynd Barker. He popped up with a couple of “great plays” according to Norvell, and he looks comfortable in the ROVER position after making the move from boundary safety.
“It’s really a position that suits him so very well,” Norvell said on Barker. “Last year, playing boundary safety, now having the full run of the field, I think his leadership, his mentality, it’s been outstanding.”
Norvell said that the speed of the defense was on display and he highlighted a heavy emphasis on stopping the run.
He was pleased with the defensive line’s progress. He said the “group is really working hard,” and mentioned players like Daniel Lyons, Deante McCray and the Desir twins as some of the standouts.
In the linebacker room, Norvell said the speed and playmaking from the unit, with players like Chris Jones and Izayia Williams mentioned, is exciting.
“The guys in the linebacker room. Our speed, physicality, the playmaking ability that showed up is exciting,” Norvell said.
Mike Norvell saw a “solid” night from the offensive line
It was a solid night from the offensive line, and Norvell said he likes how the group plays together. He said he’ll analyze more film, but he’s excited with the steps the group is taking.
“I thought it was solid for the first day,” Norvell said. “That’s probably the group that has the most, them and the quarterbacks, have the most on them in this time in camp.”
Norvell said he likes the “veteran” presence of the unit, with center Bradyn Welch-Joiner said to have done an “outstanding job.” Nate Pabst and Xavier Chaplin were also highlighted for their performance.
The trio of players has consistently earned praise, but there is still room for others to make an impact on the line. The development of the offensive line remains the biggest story to follow offensively.
Other notes and takeaways
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: What we learned from FSU football’s first preseason scrimmage
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
