Florida State fall camp notebook: August 15

Update, 10:00 PM

Mike Norvell spoke to the media after FSU’s first scrimmage tonight. Norvell was happiest with the way Florida State’s coaches communicated on the sidelines and how the players grasped it. For the second straight day, he mentioned the defense was flying around, and today he said the defense was ‘dominant.’

The first year head coach said that the quarterbacks did well, but need to improve on their consistency within the system, and the ability to not turn bad plays worse. On the offensive line, they’re still looking for the right combo, and that at times they looked good, but still some technique that needs to be corrected.

One guy that Norvell singled out early on in the presser was defensive back Travis Jay. Norvell mentioned that he made multiple flash plays and stood out through the whole scrimmage. Other defensive guys that Norvell said stood out were Fabian Lovett, Robert Cooper, and Janarius Robinson. He also mentioned that Deonte Williams had multiple sacks on the night.

Overall, Norvell was pleased with his first scrimmage as FSU’s head coach. Norvell said, “It was great. It was a great night to play football. It was great seeing those guys compete. I’m excited about this team because of their passion to get better.”

Update, 10:05 PM

Adam Fuller spoke on his ‘dominant’ defense tonight. Fuller wasn’t as pleased as Norvell, saying there are still many things that they can improve on going forward. Fuller also had good things to say about Travis Jay, saying, “Travis, he’s a big body that is super athletic and he’s a physical guy. He picks things up pretty well. He can play the ball well.” He also mentioned that Jay and Renardo Green will play free safety, and Akeem Dent is making the move to corner back.

There’s been a lot of praise for defensive end Joshua Kaindoh this past week, and Adam Fuller continued that tonight. Fuller said, “I’m really excited about him and the way he’s going about his business. As good of a football player as he is, he’s just as good as a person. Joshua Kaindoh is a Seminole, there’s no question about it.”

Fuller mentioned multiple freshmen that have stood out since coming to campus and that it’s a “really good class.” He mentioned that Josh Griffis, DJ Lundy, and Stephen Dix Jr. are the freshmen that will likely see the field early on.

Update, 10:10 PM

Kenny Dillingham also spoke to the media on Saturday night. Like Norvell, Kenny Dillingham was very pleased with the Seminoles’ communication in the first official scrimmage. He said, “I thought the communication was the best we’ve had in a first scrimmage since I’ve been with coach (Norvell).”

The QB battle is the focal point of this fall and Dillingham has been pleased with their ability to adapt to the system. “All those guys as a whole, we’re putting a lot on their plate. I think they’ve done a phenomenal job of taking that info in and putting it on display on the field.”

Dillingham has seen “unbelievable” and “remarkable” improvement since the spring. He said, Coach Atkins is doing a phenomenal job. I think those guys believe in him. We’re just trying to find a combination of five guys that can get the job done.”

Update, 10:15 PM

Special teams coach John Papuchis closed out media availability tonight. Papuchis said that the place kicker battle has been competitive between Parker Grothaus and Ryan Fitzgerald. He said, “They’ve done well. Both Parker and Ryan have had really solid camps. They’re going to make our jobs hard to chose which is starting.”

He also spoke on the returners and what guys have flashed. He mentioned Jashaun Corbin in the kick return game, and Meiko Dotson and Keyshawn Helton on punt return.

Papucis was also pleased with the performance of Alex Mastromanno, saying, “He’s been pretty consistent. He’s learning everytime he goes on the field. He’s super talented and has a great attitude.”

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Florida State Seminoles football has wrapped up its first scrimmage — we’ll be hearing from the team shortly.

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Florida State is playing real, pretend football today.

After a few days in full pads, the Seminoles are set to scrimmage this evening.

“[The scrimmage] is going to be very situational. It’ll all be dictated, the starting field position, making sure that we hit every landmark,” head coach Mike Norvell said during Friday’s media availability. “There will be a coming out, a sudden change, short field. There’s going to be just a base series, probably try to throw a two-minute situation in there, probably an overtime to wrap it, just trying to help guys understand the course of the game.”

Another aspect that Norvell mentioned they’d hammer would be sideline adjustments — having players ready to go at all times, no matter the situation on the field. He also mentioned how it’ll be one of his first true looks at his crop of quarterbacks — James Blackman, Jordan Travis, Chubba Purdy and Tate Rodemaker.

“We’re definitely seeing a lot of good work, really from all four of the top guys, and I think they’ve shown flashes,” he said Friday. “But you definitely have seen growth in all of them. The two freshmen are coming along. You can tell that it’s a lot of information for them, but they are absolutely embracing this process and you’re seeing them get better each and every day.”

“I think the key for them is to just get better every day,” offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said last week of his newbies. “That’s the key for a true freshman quarterback, if you want to be ‘the guy’, you have to carry yourself like ‘the guy’.”

On the defensive side, the position group that’s seemingly gotten the most accolades has been the secondary — from Norvell lauding their constant abilities to make players to defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson saying its the deepest position group he’s had in his coaching career.

“We will be deep,” Woodson said Saturday. “We are three-deep at certain positions with guys that we feel good about. So it is going to be a collective deal. Not a lot of rotating within a series, but by series. I’m excited about the depth.”

The defensive line, anchored by senior Marvin Wilson, has unexpectedly also been mentioned as a group showing promise.

We’re set to hear from Norvell and players starting around 8:30 p.m., and you’ll be able to follow along in the comments as well as on our Twitter.

Catch up on all the action from the last few days here: