FSU FOOTBALL FALL CAMP
Florida State football continues its fall camp as the Seminoles are inching closer and closer to their season opener versus Alabama. The fan base looks to be cautiously optimistic as Florida State wants to turn the page in 2025 and change the narrative of the doubters.
Head football coach Mike Norvell met with the media on Monday afternoon, where he mentioned that the Seminoles will be having a fall camp scrimmage on Tuesday night inside Doak Campbell Stadium. The program has limited media access from its practices.
This will likely result to the fan base relying on the individuals inside the program for news about how the scrimmage went. In this article, I want to highlight a few things that I want to see on Tuesday night.
THOMAS CASTELLANOS TAKING COMMAND OF THE OFFENSE
Florida State football made headlines by adding former UCF and Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos this offseason. The dual-threat signal caller mentioned that Alabama doesn't have Nick Saban to save them now, so the pressure is on for him to deliver on August 30th. Can Castellanos continue to further progress his skill set under new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn?
WILL THE RUSHING ATTACK LIVE UP TO THE BILLING?
We heard last season that the Seminoles' rushing attack would be the strength of the team. However, Florida State ranked as one of the worst rushing teams in all of college football. They added former Oklahoma transfer Gavin Sawchuk and former four-star prospect Ousmane Kromah this offseason. Will the duo save Florida State and have Gus Malzahn's offense clicking on all cylinders?
OFFENSIVE LINE GETS TO STACK PRODUCTIVE DAYS TOGETHER
The offensive line for the Seminoles in 2024 was a veteran group. I thought that with pieces such as Robert Scott Jr., Maurice Smith, and Darius Washington, the Florida State offensive line would be a strength for the squad. However, I was dead wrong. Alex Atkins is no longer in Tallahassee, as he was replaced by Herb Hand. Then, head football coach Mike Norvell mentioned on Monday that the offensive line was gelling after they added four new transfers. Put me on the hype train!
CAN FSU GET AFTER THE QUARTERBACK?
This seems counterproductive to the previous point about the offensive line. There has to be a thin balance between the two. Legendary coach Nick Saban gave the Seminoles' defensive line "the kiss of death" last offseason, where he classified Florida State to have one of the best defensive lines in the country. That was not the case. However, they seem optimistic that pieces such as James Williams and Jayson Jenkins (if healthy) could be pivotal pieces in the trenches.
IS THE SECONDARY THE REAL DEAL?
Defensive back coaches Patrick Surtain Sr. and Evan Cooper have done a phenomenal job of acquiring talent in the position group. We have heard great things about pieces such as Earl Little Jr., Ja'Bril Rawls, and Jeremiah Wilson. They should all be pivotal parts in the secondary. However, the Seminoles take on Alabama in Week 1, which has wide receivers Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Isaiah Horton. They need to be prepared for war against the Crimson Tide when defending against them.