FSU football: Three March 2021 observations with Mike Norvell

Physical Team

One thing that’s stood out since spring camp began in early March is Mike Norvell’s insistence on physicality.

It’s something myself and others have noted over the past few years, particularly since 2016, and how the program seemed to be soft.

The days of an FSU defense physically dominating opponents, and the offensive line pancaking defensive linemen have been few and far between.

FSU linebackers are not feared, and the DBU is debatable with how the last few years have gone in the secondary.

However, Mike Norvell wants to change all of that and is changing the physicality standard. It’s an expectation that has to be met every single day of practice, even when players have the bumps and bruises that accompany spring camp.

If you’ve never listened to a Mike Norvell post-practice press conference, you should check them out. One of the first things he mentions is the practice was good or whatever, and physical.

The limited footage I’ve seen seems to back up that claim. I saw defensive players impose their will on tackles, and I’ve seen offensive player break tackles. That comes with spring ball, but it’s the mentality that’s emphasized the most.

Players have to want to impose their will on the other team, and that begins before they put the uniform on the morning of game day. I’m excited to see the team mentality when they take the field against Notre Dame in a few months.