Mike Norvell was full of positive FSU injury updates at final press conference of fall camp

It might be hard to believe, but Thursday was Mike Norvell’s final press conference of fall camp. The next time he takes the podium, on Monday, August 24, will be his first game-week media availability of the 2026 season before the Seminoles host New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium in Week 0. 

Norvell didn’t reveal too much about the depth chart and opted not to settle position battles along the offensive line or in the secondary. He did, however, clear up concerns on the injury report, announcing that sophomore wide receiver Jayvan Boggs and fifth-year linebacker Mikai Gbayor will be ready for Week 0, and that fifth-year running back Quintrevion Wisner was back at practice this week. 

There is still a full week of practice, and anything can happen, but at this point, other than defensive back Karson Hobbs' season-ending injury he suffered during fall camp, the Seminoles look to be mostly healthy.

Jayvan Boggs is ready to go, but he still may not have a full workload

Just because Boggs and Gbayor are healthy after starting fall camp with limitations doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll top the depth chart when the Seminoles take the field on August 29. Boggs’ absence allowed true freshman Jasen Lopez to gobble up practice reps at slot receiver, and it seems he’s ready to make an impact from Year 1. 

Boggs and Lopez will likely split time in the slot, which could be limited as Norvell, who reclaimed his play-calling duties after ceding them to Gus Malzahn in 2025, plans to utilize a lot of 21 and 12 personnel with multiple running backs or multiple tight ends on the field rather than a third receiver. 

Still, it’s a positive development for FSU to get Boggs back healthy after he nearly transferred away this offseason. As last year’s true freshman offensive sensation, at least in fall camp, Boggs caught nine passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in eight games. 

Mikai Gbayor could slide next to Chris Jones Jr. in crowded LB room

There may not have been a position on the FSU roster that needed a bigger upgrade than linebacker after 2025. Gbayor, a UNC transfer, was part of that solution along with Southern Miss transfer Chris Jones Jr. and four-star freshman Izayia Williams. Blake Nichelson and Omar Graham Jr. also returned. 

It seemed the plan was for Gbayor, who played for defensive coordinator Tony White at Nebraska in 2024, to slide next to Jones, but Williams has generated some buzz in fall camp. Jones will presumably wear the green dot, but especially early in the year, it could be a rotation at the other linebacker spot until a clear starter emerges. 

Mike Norvell can ease Quintrevion Wisner back a bit more slowly

Wisner was a bit of a surprising portal addition this offseason, joining a running back room expected to be led by rising sophomore Ousmane Kromah. With Samuel Singleton also retained, the Seminoles have a deep group of backs that can certainly handle the bulk of the carries against New Mexico State. 

Wisner’s experience and versatility will earn him a role, no doubt, but he missed most of fall camp, so Norvell shouldn’t rush him back in Week 0, and maybe not even in Week 1 against SMU if Kromah looks as good as advertised.

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