Eight positives from Florida State football's first fall practice day
Eight positives from Florida State football’s first fall practice day
8 Things to Like from the First Day of Florida State Football Fall Practice
The first day of fall practice is a momentous occasion for any college football program. It marks the beginning of the long road to the season opener, with players and coaches starting to fine-tune their skills and strategies in preparation for the competition ahead. For the Florida State Seminoles, the first day of fall practice in 2024 was an exciting and promising display of the team’s growth, talent, and readiness. As fans eagerly anticipate another successful season, there were several key takeaways from the opening day of practice that stood out and provided optimism for the upcoming year.
Here are 8 things to like from the first day of Florida State football fall practice:
1. Quarterback Play: Confidence and Command
One of the most significant storylines heading into the 2024 season for Florida State is the play of the quarterback position. With Jordan Travis returning for his senior season, there’s a sense of excitement around the Seminoles’ offense. Travis has been one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country over the last couple of years, and his leadership is crucial for FSU’s championship aspirations.
On the first day of practice, Travis looked poised, in control, and more confident than ever. His passing was sharp, his footwork was crisp, and he seemed completely comfortable in the pocket. Travis was throwing with accuracy to all areas of the field, demonstrating his growth as a passer while still keeping his dangerous legs as a weapon in the running game. As the leader of this team, his presence on the field gave a sense of stability and optimism.
In addition to his physical tools, Travis exhibited strong leadership skills, communicating effectively with both the offense and his coaches. As a senior, Travis is expected to take on a larger role in mentoring the younger players and instilling a sense of discipline and focus across the team. On Day 1, it was clear that Travis was ready to embrace this role and help guide FSU back to national prominence.
2. Wide Receiver Corps: Depth and Talent
Florida State’s wide receiving corps was another area that garnered plenty of attention on the first day of fall practice. The Seminoles’ wideouts looked fast, physical, and sharp in their routes. What stood out most was the depth of talent in the receiving room. FSU’s coaching staff has done a great job recruiting and developing playmakers at the position, which will provide Travis with multiple reliable targets this season.
The return of Johnny Wilson, who had an outstanding season in 2023, gives FSU a massive presence on the outside. Wilson’s size, speed, and ability to win jump balls in the air make him a matchup nightmare for defenders. But he is not alone in terms of talent. Keon Coleman, a transfer from Michigan State, showcased his dynamic playmaking ability during the first day of practice. Coleman’s agility, sharp route-running, and deep ball tracking skills were on full display as he caught multiple deep passes from Travis. He looks like he will be a big contributor right away.
In addition to Wilson and Coleman, FSU also has emerging stars like Hakeem Williams and Mycah Pittman, both of whom bring versatility and playmaking ability to the field. The group is a perfect blend of size, speed, and skill, which will create mismatches for opposing defenses. The depth at receiver is a luxury that few programs have, and it will make Florida State’s offense even more dangerous in 2024.
3. Offensive Line: Strong Start to the Season
An area of focus for Florida State heading into the fall has been the development of the offensive line. For years, the offensive line had been an Achilles’ heel for the Seminoles, but there’s been significant improvement under offensive line coach Alex Atkins. The first day of practice showed promising signs that FSU’s offensive line is ready to take the next step.
The line was physical, working well together as a unit, and it was clear that the team’s conditioning and technique had improved over the offseason. The offensive line protected Jordan Travis well, giving him plenty of time to survey the field and deliver accurate passes. There was also a noticeable increase in the explosiveness of the running game, with the line opening up some impressive holes for Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili.
What stood out was the cohesion of the line. With key returners like Robert Scott Jr. and Darius Washington, along with newcomers like Julian Armella, the line was working in unison to build chemistry. As the season progresses, the offensive line’s ability to protect Travis and create running lanes will be critical for FSU’s success, and the first day of practice gave fans reason to believe that this unit will be one of the best in the country.
4. Defensive Line: Dominant and Deep
Florida State’s defensive line has been one of the team’s biggest strengths in recent years, and the first day of fall practice reinforced this idea. The Seminoles’ defensive line looked as dominant as ever, with a great combination of strength, speed, and pass-rushing ability. Jared Verse, one of the top edge rushers in college football, was a constant presence in the backfield, showcasing his explosive first step and relentless motor. Verse is expected to be a key player for FSU’s defense in 2024, and his performance on Day 1 was a good indication that he will continue to be one of the most feared pass rushers in the country.
In addition to Verse, FSU boasts a deep and talented group of defensive linemen, including Fabian Lovett, Braden Fiske, and Dennis Briggs Jr. The line looked active, playing with aggression and urgency, and was able to put consistent pressure on the quarterbacks during practice. With the size and skill at their disposal, Florida State’s defensive line has the potential to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, disrupting passing plays and stuffing the run.
The depth of the defensive line will also allow FSU to rotate players in and keep fresh legs on the field, which will be especially important over the course of a long season. With the ability to rush the passer, stop the run, and create turnovers, the defensive line is one of the team’s strongest assets heading into the 2024 campaign.
5. Linebacker Play: Experience and Athleticism
Linebacker is a position that FSU fans have been watching closely, as it is one of the most crucial positions on defense. The first day of practice showed that the Seminoles are in good hands with Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune, two veterans who bring leadership, experience, and athleticism to the position.
DeLoach, in particular, impressed with his ability to cover ground quickly and diagnose plays before they develop. His instincts and awareness were on full display as he seemed to always be around the ball. Bethune, who has been a reliable presence in the middle of the defense, continues to impress with his ability to stop the run and make key tackles in the passing game.
The depth at linebacker also looks promising, with Derrick McLendon and Shyheim Brown providing athleticism and versatility. The linebacker group has the potential to be one of the strongest in the ACC, and the first day of practice provided fans with optimism that they will be able to keep opposing offenses in check throughout the season.
6. Secondary: Tight Coverage and Playmaking Ability
Florida State’s secondary was one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season, and they look poised to be even better in 2024. On Day 1 of fall practice, the Seminoles’ defensive backs played tight coverage on the wide receivers, demonstrating their ability to disrupt passing plays. Jammie Robinson, who is returning for his senior season, stood out with his ball skills and ability to read the quarterback’s eyes. Robinson has been a consistent playmaker for FSU, and he looks ready to continue his role as a leader in the secondary.
In addition to Robinson, Renardo Green and Greedy Vance both had solid days, breaking up passes and showing their ability to stick with fast, dynamic receivers. Kevin Knowles, another cornerback, looked sharp, staying close to his man and tracking the ball well.
The depth and skill of Florida State’s secondary is a major asset, as they will need to cover some of the top passing offenses in the nation this season. The defensive backs seem to have refined their skills over the offseason, and with the ability to generate turnovers and lock down receivers, they will be a key factor in the team’s defensive success.
7. Special Teams: Strong Kicking and Return Game
While special teams may not always get the same attention as the offense and defense, the Seminoles’ special teams units looked sharp on the first day of practice. Ryan Fitzgerald, the team’s placekicker, was accurate from all distances, confidently knocking down field goals with consistency. Additionally, the punt return and kickoff return units looked explosive, with players like Micah Pittman and Johnny Wilson showing off their ability to break free and gain significant yardage. Special teams will play an important role in ensuring that FSU gets favorable field position and can capitalize on opportunities during the season.
8. Team Chemistry and Focus
One of the most positive takeaways from the first day of practice was the overall team chemistry and focus. The players appeared to be fully engaged and motivated, with a clear sense of purpose in every drill. The leadership on the field, especially from veterans like Jordan Travis, Kalen DeLoach, and Jared Verse, was evident, as they led by example and kept their teammates focused on the task at hand.
The energy was high, but it was also controlled, with players showing great attention to detail in every aspect of their performance. The coaching staff, led by Mike Norvell, instilled a sense of discipline and unity that bodes well for the upcoming season.
