TALLAHASSEE — Florida State opened preseason practice on Wednesday morning — among the earliest across the country — ahead of a Week Zero game against Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland.
“I wanted to see communication. I wanted to see alignment. I wanted to see guys being able to work to execute with tempo,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “I thought the guys had the right approach. Good meetings yesterday [Tuesday] starting it off. Jumping into today, I thought it was a good start to our fall camp.”
With FSU a month away from the opener on Aug. 24, here is a look at five key position battles:
Running back
The concern isn’t over who will start but instead who will be the three-man committee when it comes to running back. Considering Trey Benson (156 carries), Jordan Travis (73 carries) and Rodney Hill (50 carries) are gone, this is a big shift to some newer names.
It’s safe to bank on Alabama transfer Roydell Williams and Lawrance Toafili, who has more than 2,000 offensive yards in his FSU career, as two of those guys. But the third spot could go to 5-foot-10, 224-pound freshman Kam Davis. Or it could be the star of the spring, Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas, who at 5-9 and 175 pounds is the smallest but perhaps pound-for-pound could be the most impactful FSU offensive player. The room is versatile and Norvell has a wealth of options.
Backup quarterback
Attention fixates on quarterbacks, and DJ Uiagalelei’s development within the FSU offense will be scrutinized. But sophomore Brock Glenn has been a consistent passer, dating to his arrival in March 2023 although he was forced into difficult starts on short notice in the ACC title game and an undermanned roster for the Orange Bowl.
Glenn was sharp on Day 1. He could reinforce this next month that he is FSU’s No. 2 quarterback and ahead of true freshmen Luke Kromenhoek and Trever Jackson of Orlando.
Receiver
After losing Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, there are few receivers who have been there and done that in an FSU uniform. Ja’Khi Douglas has 737 career receiving yards but at 5-9 he’s often viewed as a complementary receiver, albeit a speedy deep threat.
There’s no denying the talent of this group, even if there’s no clearly defined No. 1. It’s a good debate even who the top three could be, but five-star Hykeem Williams, Alabama transfer Malik Benson, LSU transfer Jalen Brown and veterans Kentron Poitier, Darion Williamson and Douglas are in the mix.
Linebacker
FSU returns senior DJ Lundy, who will start in the 4-2-5 nickel alignment. The other starter will be determined among sophomore Blake Nichelson, whom coaches raved about this spring, Auburn transfer Cam Riley and Alabama transfer Shawn Murphy.
A few padded practices and a scrimmage should help shape this battle. But Norvell finally feels good about depth in a room that was sorely lacking it for years.
Defensive tackle rotation
Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson are the ACC’s top defensive tackle tandem. But there’s a need for a four-man rotation, and that’s where things get intriguing with a competition featuring homegrown talent and a pair of transfers.
When asked who was underrated on defense, Farmer praised redshirt freshman KJ Sampson and redshirt sophomore Daniel Lyons. Neither is a household name but clearly has upside. FSU also brought in Tomiwa Durojaiye (West Virginia) and Grady Kelly (Colorado State), and Durojaiye is up to 278 pounds in a push to earn playing time.
