Norvell says they had a pretty good work day.
"Got some movement on some depth charts ... and excited about some of the depth that's starting to emerge. Some guys have to capitalize on this next week, this week is a critical one for our program."
"I thought today we got some good situational work, I thought our guys came out and competed ... we have to make sure the execution part of it is more consistent in what we're doing ... the guys are continuing to battle."
Two guys (in scrimmage) that really stood out to Norvell were Kalen Deloach and D.J. Lundy. "You see those guys really starting to separate themselves in how they're emerging as players."
More on Deloach: "Kalen is nicknamed 'speedy.' He plays fast. ... He's a guy that can really fly around. We made the transition to move him inside, he's playing with physicality and speed and he's got a knack to be able to find the ball in tight spaces ... you really see the confidence of the player starting to emerge."
Said he had an up and down fall in 2020 but responded well to some pretty tough coaching and has really gained some confidence now.
On QBs: "I think both of those guys have done a really nice job. Both guys had explosive plays and moved the ball well ... both Jordan and McKenzie owned the football, didn't have turnovers, but there were times when they were slower to their progression. ... I like what I'm seeing from that position."
He's asked about Treshaun Ward again. This dude gets asked about A LOT. Says Ward has a huge upside and has a skillset that can be really special.
On naming a QB: "I don't get too much into circling a date. I just want to be right. ... I truly believe they can both help us win football games." Says at the end of the day it comes down to consistency. Also says he likes what he's seen from younger guys at the position.
On Akeem Dent: "We moved Akeem to free safety and it was absolutely the right move. He's playing at a very high level. Through the first week he's really emerging as a top level guy. ... Akeem sees the field really well, and that's what he brings, with his ability in coverage plus what he brings in the run game. ... He's definitely going to be a guy that help
More on Dent: Says he's really matured a lot. He struggled last year. As we went into the spring we saw his body developing and we saw the work he was putting in. ... He's continuing to grow and says he's excited to get to coach him because he has such a high ceiling.
Norvell says Malik McClain and Josh Burrell will both help them this year. "They're on the fast track." Says Pokey Wilson was back out there today, and that Helton had a great scrimmage. Also said Portier had two more big plays today, that's at least one for four straight days. .. Says it's great when they drop back to pass now that they have guys that can throw and catch.
Mentions Jarrett Jackson as a guy that needs to add some depth to the DL. "He needs to play well. ... "Joshua Farmer is going to play this year ... he's an explosive player, I'm excited what he brings." Says Jarrett again is a guy that has to step up, and if he does, he's a really talented man that can help them.
That's a wrap for Norvell.
Should be getting a couple of players here soon, but not sure which ones yet.
Treshaun Ward is up next.
On getting put on scholarship: "It meant a lot to me, taking that weight off my mom's shoulder." Said it was tough last year not getting a lot of playing time, but he kept working.
Says his competitive streak helped him keep pushing, keep working, keep trying ... "I think it played a big part."
He says all the RBs are close, and they learn from each other. Says Corbin has been coaching him up, and they really try to play as one group. Think as one group.
Says the scholarship didn't change anything as far as work ethic. Says it's great for his mom and his family that he doesn't have to pay for school, but didn't slow down how much he was trying to work every day.
Says he had other opportunities at smaller schools but wanted to try FSU. "I trusted in my abilities and knew I could play at a Power 5 school."
Says his biggest strengths are his vision and making people miss.
"I've come a long way in my blocking." Says he worked at it a lot this summer, trying to get better in that area.
"Every opportunity I got I took advantage of it."
Says he called his mom as soon as he found out about scholarship, and she was very excited for him.
"It took me to another level. Just because I got the scholarship didn't mean I could stay the same, stay mediocre ... so I took my game to the next level."
Says he found out about the scholarship in the morning at 8 a.m., when Coach Johnson kept calling him and texting him to tell him that Norvell wanted to talk to him. And Norvell told him over the phone.
That's a wrap for Ward.
Jashaun Corbin is up next.
"I definitely found my youth again, getting back to how I used to play." Says he isn't just a bulldozer anymore, wants to run around people, make people miss when he can.
"We all know the standard in that running back room."
"The scrimmage, the light bulb went off. I just played ball and stopped thinking. I just trusted myself and played ball." Gave a lot of credit to his teammates and the line up front ... "after that it was just me doing what I do."
On Ward: "Treshaun is like a brother. ... We're literally like glued to the hip. He's always been talented ... he just kept working hard on special teams, making plays on offense, now you guys are starting to see what we knew. ... I'm just happy for him."
That's a wrap on Corbin.
Derrick McLendon is up next.
Says the added depth, with the transfers, has helped a good bit. Says he remembers back in HS when he had two DEs ahead of him that were really good. "It just helps build depth, and I think our team is really strong with depth at the position."
On competition level: "Our group is way bigger now, we're stronger, this offseason we put in a lot of work. Coach Storms really helped that competitive nature come out in the weight room." Says it's transitioned over to the field.
"We can't get sacks if the DBs aren't out there covering, they can't get interceptions if we're not getting pressure on the quarterback."
"Just getting stronger, getting faster, gaining the weight, I've gained about five pounds. Working on using my hands this offseason ... it really helped me this offseason."
On Jarrett Jackson: "Outstanding. His stamina, his work ethic, how hard he's been working on it, losing weight, just being a force on that inside for us."
"I feel like I'm a guy. This season I'm very confident in this season ... and Josh Farmer is a dog, he's a young dog. I call him a pit bull. I definitely think he's going to contribute this season."
That's a wrap for McLendon.
That's a wrap for the day.
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Good morning!
With Tropical Storm Fred heading toward the panhandle (west of Tallahassee), FSU's campus is restricting some access today. And as a result, this morning's practice will not be open to the media.
There will be Zoom interviews with Norvell and players afterward, and we will bring those to you in the form of videos and stories. But just wanted to give you a heads up that we won't have live practice updates.
Check back around 11:30 for interview updates and those videos.
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