Florida State kicked off its practice availability this week Tuesday morning before hosting Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon. Here are some updates from the day's practice.
- Mike Norvell seemed optimistic Monday that FSU would get back a few players like Ja'Khi Douglas, Akeem Dent, Kentron Poitier and Robert Scott to kick off this homestand. That indeed seems quite possible after watching Tuesday's practice. Scott was back working and got some work with the first-team offensive line at his traditional left tackle spot. Dent was also practicing and got some work, including an interception against the scout-team offense late in the practice. The star of those returning players, though, was certainly Douglas. Long considered a very solid slot receiver option when healthy, Douglas impressed in his first full practice back that we have observed Tuesday morning. He was wearing a non-contact jersey, but showcased his shiftiness and playmaking ability all the same. He got wide open for a long pass during the middle 11-on-11 period, had some really impressive agility in space in 1-on-1s to fool his defender for an uncontested grab and also made a few more plays against the scout-team offense. Norvell seemed concerned about his workload if he's able to play this weekend, but Tuesday's practice was a confirmation that he seems ready for at least a marginal role this week.
- As for Poitier, he was also practicing Tuesday. He seemed to be moving well, made a few catches in 7-on-7 and then one against the scout-team defense as well. Norvell said after the practice that Poitier is "close" and that he liked what he saw from him. Whether he's also able to make it back this week or not, he's trending in the right direction.
- Speaking of the offense, I thought it was a high-level practice from Jordan Travis. He was fully under control, spreading the ball around and throwing accurate deep passes when airing it out, a bit of a change from the second half of the Clemson game. Norvell indicated Monday that FSU's bye week was well-timed for Travis as he recuperated from the injury he suffered at Boston College and that indeed seems to be the case based on all we have seen from Travis in the last three practices. You all may also be happy to hear that Travis was definitely running a bit more at Tuesday's practice.
- While a number of receivers got involved at Tuesday's practice, Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman still had their moments of brilliance. Wilson made a really nice grab on a ball down the sideline up over his head in the opening 11-on-11 period. And in the goal-line 11-on-11 scenario FSU runs each practice, Coleman caught a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone, seemingly mistiming his jump but just hovering up long enough despite that to make a leaping catch just inbounds.
- Freshman linebacker Blake Nichelson just keeps making plays in coverage. Tuesday morning, he had a great pass break-up covering a wheel route by C.J. Campbell in 7-on-7 and then followed that up with an interception shortly thereafter against the scout-team offense, elevating to snag a pass near the sideline and coming down inbounds, a cleaner version of the pick he nearly had against Southern Miss.
- Patrick Payton also had a really nice pass breakup in 11-on-11, tracking Markeston Douglas all the way near the sideline and knocking the ball away. He's athletic and mobile enough that he can cover a tight end, taking away a mismatch some teams could exploit against certain defensive ends. He also seemed to enjoy some trash-talking after making the impressive play, something he may be learning more about from fellow defensive end Jared Verse. Fentrell Cypress also had great coverage and a pass breakup on a pass to Destyn Hill in 11-on-11 and Jarrian Jones made a great running pass breakup on a ball over the middle during 7-on-7.
