RISE AND SHINE!
Florida State football will be conducting its spring scrimmage today (Saturday, March 29th). It is an exciting time to see the Seminoles compete at a high level to try and redeem themselves after finishing with a 2-10 record in 2024.
Florida State has limited its media availability for the spring to limit distractions as the program looks to get back on track. We are twenty-two Saturdays away from the Seminoles' season opener versus Alabama, so we will be in the newly-renovated Doak Campbell Stadium before we know it.
-As we get ready to hear from head football coach Mike Norvell after the scrimmage, here are three aspects that I will be monitoring from the spring practice:
1. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CASTELLANOS AND THE RECEIVERS
Florida State is entering a new chapter on the offensive side of the football as they acquired former Boston College quarterback transfer Thomas Castellanos. Some fans are skeptical, given the fact that the Seminoles added transfer DJ Uiagalelei last year and it was a flop. Individuals would like for the coaching staff to develop a quarterback in-house, but this is the reality of the situation.
Mike Norvell also handed the keys to the offense to former UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn. While Malzahn's calling card is running the football, it will be interesting to see how the passing game goes as they acquired playmakers such as Duce Robinson, Squirrel White, and Randy Pittman Jr. in the transfer portal. That relationship between quarterback and receivers will be pivotal.
2. PERFORMANCE OF DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Florida State is having to replace the likes of defensive ends Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr., who both transferred to other institutions. The Seminoles received praise from individuals from ESPN's Pete Thamel and legendary coach Nick Saban that the defensive line would be one of the best in the country in 2024. However, that was further from the truth than most wanted to believe.
The Seminoles went out this offseason and tried to acquire defensive linemen from the transfer portal and recruiting ranks with pieces such as Kevin Wynn, LaJesse Harrold, Tylon Lee, Darryl and Mandrell Desir, Tyland Coleman, Jayson Jenkins, Deamontae Diggs, James Williams, and Deante McCray. That was a hopeful thought, but some fans thought more depth needed to be secured.
Unfortunately, the Seminoles are now dealing with injuries on the defensive line as Norvell announced that redshirt junior defensive tackles Daniel Lyons and Jayson Jenkins will miss the entire spring. They need other contributors to step up in a big way during this period before they explore the transfer portal once again.
3. WHICH DEFENSIVE BACKS STAND OUT THE MOST?
Florida State will have to replace the likes of Azareye'h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress II, and Kevin Knowles III this offseason. The Seminoles do have some talented pieces in the rotation that defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. and safeties coach Evan Cooper could work with.
However, there is a ton riding on the position group, as the Seminoles did not acquire a defensive back in the transfer portal. Rising defender Edwin Joseph Jr. is out for the spring. Norvell already raved about Ja'Bril Rawls, Shamar Arnoux, Charles Lester III, and Ricky Knight III. Will that be enough to make the position stand out in 2025?