FSU football: Storylines and names to watch after spring camp week five

The practice was energetic, and the team responded to a slow Tuesday. The defense seemed to have the better performance as most of the practice was played in an “on the fly/serial type” manner.

From coach Norvell’s press conference, it sounded like there could be a couple of new injuries or reasons to take precautions with players along the offensive line. The wide receiver corp was again inconsistent, which has been a running theme of this spring.

However, it seemed as though Ontaria Wilson stood out today, and made a couple of big plays, including a 30 yard-ish catch down the sideline. Ja’Khi Douglas, Kentron Poitier, Malik McClain were shouted out as well.

“I have really seen Kentron (Poitier) take that next step…he is building consistency,” said Norvell.

Camren McDonald was also name-dropped again and could be one of the top performers of the offseason. Quashon Fuller had a good Thursday and is getting better with his eyes and diagnosing plays. He and Derrick McClendon are improving a lot this spring, and it’s good to see them improve after they were a big question mark coming into 2021.

Kalen DeLoach had a good Thursday as well and is getting increased reps with Emmett Rice still out. “He is playing with a lot of confidence…he is a young man from who I have seen tremendous strides in, said coach Norvell as he went out of his way to shout out DeLoach.

He is flashing inside and could see his role increase to fill that gap in the thin linebacker room. He will likely see minutes behind Amari Gainer and Stephen Dix Jr, and be in that first rotation after them.

The linebackers as a whole, along with the secondary were complimented in Norvell’s press conference.

Akeem Dent has been hot and cold throughout his FSU tenure, and that was no different this spring as he battled injuries. But Norvell seems to like the progress he has been making and “he responded well” to those situations.

Jordan Travis still looks like the best quarterback in the room and is improving his throwing skills too. However, McKenzie Milton has flashed some athleticism as he pulled the ball down and scrambled for 30 yards.

The quarterback room struggled on Thursday with a lot of missed throws. Patience will be important in the QB battle, and I am projecting it to go well into the fall season.

Jermaine Johnson is a beast as always, and at this point, it is a requisite of these articles that I mention him at least once. “You better bring you pail (and work) every day, or he will expose you,” coach Atkins said of the pass rusher.

Robert Cooper and Fabian Lovett have set the tone throughout the spring. Coach Odell Haggins praised them on their coachability. “They are dogs on the field and are dogs off the field, they take note, and when a younger guy sees it, it’s a great thing,” said coach Haggins.