Some observations from FSU football's Lift for Life event

The Florida State football team, in conjunction with Uplifting Athletes, Thursday held an open workout to raise money to fight Fanconi anemia. It was our first look at the full incarnation of the 2015 FSU squad, as newcomers who didn't enroll early are now on campus.

The workout was rather fun and informal, and there were some interesting observations to be made regarding Seminoles at the event:

• New quarterback Everett Golson was in attendance, but not participating. Initially, he had a wrap around his right knee, but it was removed very shortly into the proceedings.
• Also involved were a pair of players coming off serious surgeries, senior linebacker Reggie Northrup and frosh defensive end Josh Sweat. Northrup looked particularly agile and didn't wear a brace. Sweat did don a knee brace.
• The first public FSU workout of several other freshmen turned some heads, too. Players like Cole Minshew, Auden Tate, and Tarvarus McFadden are especially physically impressive.
• Oft-injured junior cornerback Colin Blake worked out as well-- a rather rare sight at the IPF. We'll have to see what develops regarding his uniform number; he's worn #30 to this point, but that number has also been assigned to fellow defender Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane.
• Suspended running back Dalvin Cook attended, and although he was not permitted to participate, he was quite involved in the competition.
• A number of other players were present and cheering on their teammates, but not taking part in the action, among them Jalen Ramsey, Trey Marshall, Tyler Hunter, Nate Andrews, and Cason Beatty.
• Smack-talking between the offense and defense was common at this event last year, and that was true this time around as well. Derwin James and Ermon Lane were particularly vocal; the offense got the better of the defense in this year's competition.
• Head coach Jimbo Fisher was pleased afterward to announce that the $15,000 goal for the event was reached. He also commented that the Kidz1stFund for which the workout raised money pulled in over a million dollars in 2014 and was on pace to top that mark again this year.