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Mike Norvell
FSU Head Coach
Photo/On3 |
Given the state of the program, there was a great deal of
optimism after the hiring of Mike Norvell, but before he could hardly get
started, the Seminoles, and many other teams across the nation, were sacked by
Covid. We noted last year there is a culture issue Norvell will have to work
around which turned out to be much deeper rooted than first thought. The best
offensive and defensive player both quit mid year after extremely disappointing
performances, but even an early season upset of a top ten ranked North Carolina
could not salvage a season that nobody found appealing, as the Seminoles went
3-6. Even with the aforementioned
culture issues and a roster with talent surrounded by big holes, that type of
season will be unacceptable moving forward, and Norvell know that. In all other facet of his employment, Norvell
has been very successful. Recruiting has stepped up, his off the field
performance has been stellar and it appears a foundation is being built which
can benefit the Florida State football program greatly as we move forward. As part of the recruiting process, Norvell
was able to bring in some quality transfers, at key positions, which can help
FSU bridge the gap to success. In fact, in speaking about the culture, Jermaine
Johnson, who transferred in from Georgia, noted the Seminoles “Family Culture.
”So, while the schedule is extremely tough the Seminoles will be a much better
football team this season, even though the win loss record may not show it. So,
let’s take a look at this talented and improved football team.
OFFENSE
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Jordan Travis
Quarterback
Florida State
Photo/Tallahassee Democrat |
Perhaps the top transfer Florida State was able to bring in
was quarterback McKenzie Milton, who was The Color & Pageantry post season
All America quarterback in 2017 while at UCF. Of course, Milton was severely
injured the following season, and his comeback story has been one for film
producers to utilize. With Dillon
Gabriel, Milton’s good friend, established as signal caller at UCF, Milton made
his way to Tallahassee to try to complete his comeback. If Milton can play at 85% of what he was at
UCF, Florida State has a real steal on their hands. Milton showed flashes of
brilliance during the spring, but he must win this job. Battling Milton is
Jordan Travis, who started five games a year ago. Travis is a dual threat with
a wide range of skills and a real feel for the game, but he has really improved
his passing skills and overall play and could hold Milton off. Even if Travis
fails to win the job, he can learn quite a bit from Milton and will be an even
better player next year. Both players have battle injuries, so we think both
play plenty, but I don’t think Milton was brought in to sit if he is healthy,
and all indications through fall camp thus far indicate he is. Chubba Purdy and Tate Rodemaker are battling
as quality backups.
The national media is not impressed, but I think the Florida
State running back room, while young, is really good. Jashaun Corbin is finally
healthy after transferring in from Texas A&M and he appears set as the
starter. Corbin is a complete back, but he lacks the breakaway speed found with
sophomore Lawrence Toafili, who will definitely get his share of carries. DJ
Williams is another solid between the tackles back, with pass catching skills,
who transferred in from Auburn. Treshaun
Ward has turned so many heads he earned a scholarship. Ward makes people miss,
and he could well get situational snaps. Deonte’ Sheffield has skills and will
see snaps, and speedster Corey Wren has a bright future.
The receiving core is quite young, but that might be a good
thing with this talented bunch. First, wideouts Ontaria Wilson, who led the
team in catches, and Keyshawn Helton, will be pushed by a younger crop of
talent to keep their snaps. Two freshman, Malik McLain and Joshua Burrell, have
exhibited star abilities action since their arrival. Both appear poised for
significant playing time. Transfer Andrew Parchment, who actually had measure
success at Kansas, is also slated for a starting position. Kentron Pointier,
Bryan Robinson, Ja'Khi Douglass, Jordan Young and freshman Darion Williamson
and Omarion Cooper are young players looking for an opportunity to shine. Camren
McDonald, a team leader continues to improve at tight end. UCLA transfer Jordan
Wilson missed last fall but big things are expected from him, but Wyatt Rector,
who gets open, is also going to be in the mix as well.
The offensive line has been a hinderance for the Seminoles
for several years now but under stellar offensive line coach Alex Atkins, it is
improving. Devontay Love-Taylor is the leader up front and he will anchor a
tackle spot, while Robert Scott, who is really starting to click, will grab the
opposite tackle spot. Donte Lucas played well as a freshman but he battled
injury and attitude issues in 2020. Even so, he should start a guard spot.
Maurice Smith, who is an emerging star, will be at center and is developing
into a really good player with a high football IQ. Baveon Johnson, with 20
starts under his belt, is looking to build consistency and may emerge up front
possibly at guard, perhaps battling versatile Notre Dame transfer Dillan
Gibbons. Young having played quality
snaps when given the opportunity, guard Thomas Schrader could end up winning a
spot. Zane Herring, Brady Scott and tackle Darius Washington, who we think has
great potential, are backups and we will keep an eye on true freshman Bryan
Estes. Still not as deep as we would
like, this group is much improved and has a chance to be decent, which is saying
something for Florida State in recent years.
If Milton can perform at a level similar to what he showed
us prior to his injury at UCF, then Florida State has a chance to really
surprise to the upside. If Milton does
go down, or misses some time, the coaches and players have full confidence in
Jordan Travis, who has really improved his game. The line is better and has some quality depth unlike recent years, and the backs and
receivers, while young, are stocked with serious talent. This offense, if it
can come together, could really surprise to the upside averaging in the
neighborhood of 35 points per game.
DEFENSE
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Travis Jay
Cornerback
Florida State
Photo/YouTube |
Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who transferred in from
Georgia, gives the Seminoles a potential all conference player in harassing the
quarterback. Dexter McClendon and Quashon Fuller are really getting better as
well. Marcus Cushnie transferred in from Alabama A&M primarily to rush the
passer, and he has demonstrated that ability in fall camp. Freshman Patrick Payton may emerge here as
well. Dennis Briggs is really emerging at defensive tackle, Malcolm Ray and true
freshman end Joshua Farmer, wise above his years, a real talent who could
figure prominently. Jarrett Jackson could also emerge. Robert Cooper and Tru
Thompson are legit inside. Keir Thomas, among a pair of transfers from South
Carolina, will grab an interior end spot. Leonard Werner and Deonte Williams
look to get snaps as hybrids.
Linebacker Amari Gainer is a high level athlete, but he is a
tweener and coaches are working to find the best spot for him, but make no
mistake he needs to be on the field. Stephen Dix has really done the off field
work in the weight room and he has a chance to really jump as a sophomore at
middle linebacker, but the light bulb has appeared to have gone off for Kalen
DeLoach, so keep and eye on him. The coaches are really appreciating the jump
DJ Lundy has made in fall camp and Jaleel McRae has played some quality ball as
well. Emmett Rice has played some decent ball over the years and is returning from injury. A youngster, Cortez Andrews, is turning some important heads in fall camp and may earn himself some snaps.
Meiko Dotson, who was among the nations top interceptor at
FAU in 2019, may start at boundary corner. Jarrion Jones will play snaps and
coaches are hoping redshirt freshman Demorie Tate can emerge. Jarvis Brownlee will play the field corner,
backed by Hunter Washington, who has made plays in fall camp. However, Travis
Jay is the class of the secondary, and he could start at any number of spots,
including corner in addition to his buck spot. Brendan Gant backs up the safety
spot along with Sidney Williams. Coaches placed 5* player Akeem Dent, who has
not lived up so far to his reputation, at free safety. He has a great skill
set, and he should be out there somewhere. Renardo Green, a proven commodity,
is back from injury as well. Arkansas
transfer Jarques McClellon is ready. It is noted that freshman safety Shyheim
Brown has been most impressive since arriving and have left the coaches no
choice but to get him on the field. Freshman defensive back Kevin Knowles is
really emerging as a future star, and he might just start the nickel spot,
where South Carolina transfer Jammie Robinson appears set. There are plenty of
moving pieces in this secondary, and I took some liberties guessing where these
folks will be lining up, which remains fluid.
The defense has
built some quality depth, and there is talent at each level of the unit. There are some holes and consistency issues, but overall
this appears to be an increasingly strong unit, one which can make a
significant difference for the Seminoles.
They are not dominating, but this defensive unit will be fun to watch and can do enough damage to
keep the Seminoles in most every game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ryan Fitzgerald had trouble keeping placekicker job, so
Parker Grothhaus took over. Both are competing this fall, but neither performed
well enough last year to consider this a position of strength. Alex Mastromanno
will handle punts, but improvement is needed there as well. Returning kicks was
a long time strength for the Seminoles; however, the return game was not all
that great last year. There are plenty
of players with high levels of speed and elusiveness.
INTANGIBLES
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| Seminoles |
The culture change is in full swing, and it appears that all
the bad apples have hit the road. Everything seems to going well since the 2020
season concluded. But, the schedule is
among the toughest in the land, and it is unknown how Florida State will handle
adversity, which is sure to come. The
opener hosting Notre Dame presents a wonderful opportunity, but a loss in this
game does not knock FSU out of the opportunity to continue to lay the
foundation for a future big time winning program. The weekly grind,
particularly late in the season, will be grueling. Keeping mental focus and discipline will be
challenging for the coaches and players, as the Seminoles could be a good
football team with a losing record.
HONORS CANDIDATES
Quarterback McKenzie Milton, again if he can perform at his
pre injury level, could certainly receive some national honors. DE Jermaine Johnson, DE Keir Thomas and DB
Travis Jay are potential all conference performers. OT Devontay Love-Taylor
could get some consideration for al conference honors. But this is a young team
with players setting themselves up for future recognition.
NEW ARRIVALS
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McKenzie Milton
Quarterback
Florida State
Photo/Don Juan Moore |
There are tons of new comers, particularly when considering transfers, that will
significantly impact the Seminoles. In fact, potentially the best players on
both sides of the ball are newcomers in quarterback McKenzie Milton and
defensive end Jermaine Johnson. DT Keir Thomas, DB Jammie Johnson, DB Jarques
McClellon, RB DJ Williams and OL Dillan Gibbons. True freshman receivers Malik
McClain and Joshua Burrrell are very talented and will play extensively immediately. Watch WR Darion Williamson. DB’s Kevin
Knowles will certainly get playing time. Sideny Williams and Hunter Washington will play plenty. Joshua Farmer, Jackson West and
Patrick Payton seem poised to play as well.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Most associated with Florida State are not focused on the
Seminoles overall record this fall, but are rather looking to see improvement across
the board with zeroing in on teamwork, player development and discipline. But if
McKenzie Milton is healthy and anywhere close to his old self, a high level of
play from him at the all important quarterback position could put things in a
difference perspective. Even so, the
schedule is terribly difficult. FSU opens at home against Notre Dame, who will
be favored by over a touchdown. The home
crowd at DOAK will be electric, and
given that Notre Dame suffered significant losses on both sides of the ball and
at quarterback, a golden opportunity presents itself. Call it a premonition, but whether it is
Milton leading the way or not, we have the Seminoles finding a way to get a win
here. This will be a game changer for the program under Norvell and can lead to
bigger things as the season progresses. FSU then defeats Jacksonville State
before traveling to face Wake Forest, a very dangerous team. FSU wins very close in a nail bitter. Florida
State then comes home for back to back games facing Louisville and Syracuse, games
where we think the Seminole win by couple of touchdowns. FSU then, at 5-0, travels
to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina, a top ten squad smarting from the upset
loss they absorbed in Tallahassee last year.
FSU loses this one. After a bye week, FSU host UMass for homecoming.
Then comes a murderous stretch. Florida State travels to Clemson, where they will
little to no chance of winning. FSU then faces a strong NC State team in
Tallahassee, but before you cunt this as win, it is worth noting the 'Noles face
Miami the following week. FSU loses one, if not both. Maybe they lose to NC
State but upset Miami. FSU then travels to Boston College, who under their outstanding
new head coach with a powerful offensive line and a stellar quarterback, is
better than most anyone thinks. It will be very tight for sure, and it may just
depend how the quarterback position is performing for the Seminoles. FSU then drives down to Hogtown to face the Florida Gators. A win there is possible, but it
would be an upset. It will be an exciting year for the Seminoles, who will be
better at every position with notable offensive and defensive improvement. Even
so, that schedule is really rough late, so we project FSU to finish 7-5 and
bowling! Lets enjoy the ride! Go NOLES!
GAMEDAY GALLERY
