It hasn’t exactly been an offseason full of positivity in Tallahassee. Coming off consecutive losing seasons, Mike Norvell is on one of the hottest seats of any head coach in the country, and a tough upcoming ACC slate won’t help his cause.
However, on the injury front, things are trending in an optimistic direction for the Seminoles ahead of fall camp officially opening on Wednesday, July 29. At his pre-camp press conference on Monday, Norvell shared a range of injury updates, including on likely starters Jayvan Boggs and Mikai Gbayor.
Norvell told the assembled reporters that “guys are progressing well” but that “Jayvan Boggs, Mikai Gbayor will be a process to see full participation.” He did add that while they are not full go, they can be ready for the season opener against New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, August 29.
Jayvan Boggs and Mikai Gbayor on track for Week 1 return
Boggs was one of Florida State’s most important retentions this offseason. He entered the transfer portal after a promising true freshman season, catching nine passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, but opted to return after Lawayne McCoy left for Louisville. Boggs played in just four games, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Cocoa, Florida looks to be on track to start as FSU’s WR3 behind Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy.
On April 9, Norvell announced that Boggs would miss the remainder of spring camp due to an injury he sustained during that portion of Florida State’s offseason program. Boggs' injury is still undisclosed, but it sounds as though, without any setbacks, he’ll be ready for Week 0, and more importantly, for Week 1 when FSU opens ACC play against SMU.
Gbayor arrived from North Carolina this offseason as one of Florida State’s most important incoming transfers. He and Southern Miss transfer Chris Jones are expected to lead a rebuilt linebacker room. Gbayor, a 6-foot-2 senior who has played at both Nebraska and UNC, had 39 tackles for Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels last season.
Like Boggs, Gbayor was shut down during spring camp, with an announcement from Norvell coming six days earlier than his update on Boggs.
“Mikai Gbayor, he's out for the rest of the spring. Nothing that will affect him going into the fall. We don't anticipate," Norvell told reporters at the time. "But he's been a little limited, but he was impressive there. There in his first couple of weeks of spring ball."
Considering that Norvell didn’t anticipate Gbayor’s injury lingering into the fall could be a bit of a concern, especially for a newcomer hoping to integrate into a key role in Tony White’s defense. However, he still appears to be on track to start next to Jones in Week 0.
So, while those injuries are worth monitoring, FSU is in a good spot from a health perspective heading into camp. Norvell will have to hope it stays that way.
Jordan Sanders update:
Along with the Boggs and Gbayor injury updates, Norvell told the media that Texas State transfer defensive lineman Jordan Sanders is good to go in full for the start of camp on Wednesday. Sanders missed the spring with an injury. Sanders recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble last season.
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