Florida State football returned for its 12th practice on Monday.
After completing their two-day road trip to Jacksonville and their second scrimmage, the Seminoles will hold several practices as they prepare for their season opener against Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Saturday. Aug, 24, at noon on ESPN.
Norvell opened his statement by looking back at the FSU's second scrimmage.
After rewatching the game film, he was pleased with what he had seen, especially from his young group, continuing to make a good impression on the coaches.
"We got what I wanted out of it," Norvell said. "Getting the chance to see the younger guys, I thought some of the younger guys are continuing to push, to emerge and define a role with an opportunity. "
Norvell wants his Seminoles to continue improving after their scrimmage last week. He not only emphasized consistency and execution regularly throughout fall camp but also pushed his players to be at their best on the field.
"That's one thing I challenge the guys with," Norvell said.
"It's got to be your absolute best. That doesn't mean there won't be mistakes that are made, but it's a push for improvement, a push for that growth, and obviously trying to take advantage to get better."
Mike Norvell on Kevin Knowles II returning to nickel, Devonte Brown regaining confidence
FSU's defense has never disappointed during the camp and is as good as advertised. Norvell believes the defense is communicating better from the back end of the defense.
Norvell focused heavily on the secondary. DB Kevin Knowles II has had a great day after catching two interceptions and some pass breakups during practice.
Norvell said that Knowles will return to playing the nickel position after playing multiple positions, such as safety last season. As a junior, he registered 31 tackles, 0.5 for loss and three pass breakups.
"Obviously, going into this season, the ability to get him back to nickel, he's done a really good job, and I think you just see the experience, confidence, the work he has put in," Norvell said.
"He's doing a really good job in coverage as well with his fits. I like the work that he has had."
Norvell also talked about the safety position and who can play alongside Shyheim Brown.
He mentioned Devonte Brown, who is playing with his third team after one year at Miami and three years at UCF. According to Norvell, Brown has missed some time but returned to play his first scrimmage.
"I think he is playing with more confidence," Norvell said.
"You feel his speed. He played kind of similar to Akeem Dent. He missed a few days there last week, but he was able to get back in scrimmage. It was his first action last week. He had some rust to knock off, but I like what I'm seeing."
Putting in a big menu of offense for FSU QB DJ Uiagalelei
With Week 0 around the corner, FSU is locking in its scheme for its matchup against Georgia Tech. Norvell went into detail on developing a game plan for his offense and having quarterback DJ Uiagalelei run it.
"Obviously, we went through fall camp with a big menu, and as we get into a gameplan, we're going to tighten that up for all things," Uiagalelei said. "You can only call so many plays, but we've got a good menu to be able to pull from."
This season will be Uiagalelei's third team in his five-year career. Last season at Oregon State, he threw for 2,638 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The former Beaver has been polished in recent practices as he has taken command of the offense.
He performed well during the scrimmage on Saturday. Norvell looks forward to what's to come this season after what he has seen during practice.
"Obviously, the ones he's been productive with are what we're going live, and the good thing is he has been really good to this fall camp," Norvell said.
"I think we'll be able to have a wide variety of things that we can do and definitely excited about things I've seen from the 14 practices of him."
Florida State football schedule 2024
- Aug. 24 vs.Georgia Tech*Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN
- Sept. 2 vs.Boston Collegeat 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- Sept. 14 vs.Memphis
- Sept. 21 vs.California
- Sept. 28 atSMU
- Oct. 5 vs.Clemson
- Oct. 18 at Duke
- Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
- Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
- Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
- Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
- Nov. 30: Florida
- Dec. 7:ACC Championship
BOLD= ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
