FSU Practice Report: Florida State holds spring’s final Saturday practice

Do something, rain or shine.

Inclement weather might have forced everything inside, but the energy was still high inside the Dunlap Practice Facility. The afternoon marked exactly one week until the annual Spring Game. The Seminoles’ Saturday practice was filled with intensity, a slew of visitors, and Meek Mill music loud enough to fill the whole place.

Injured/Absent

Marvin Wilson, gone for the spring with a torn MCL, was sitting on the sidelines supporting his teammates just feet away from defense line drills. Nyquan Murray welcomed some personal visitors into the facility before standing at midfield beside quarterback Deondre Francois. Murray remains on crutches after a knee injury sidelined him for the spring, but appears to be getting better each day.

Offense

Quarterback Bailey Hockman took snaps from 6-6, 300-pound Brady Scott, who was joined by Andrew Basham to his left and Christian Armstrong to his right during the drill. Hockman looked crisp completing passes to Tamorrion Terry, who continues to impress in spring practice. Terry made a couple outstanding one-handed catches during route-running drills. James Blackman joined Hockman in the south end zone, and completed several passes to Amir Rasul. Rasul is very explosive in the first few steps of each route, and could prove to be a formidable option catching passes out of the backfield.

Deondre Francois continues to improve his agility following a season-ending patella injury last year. Francois’ chemistry with wide receiver Keith Gavin is evident in practice, as Gavin looks to become a primary option in the passing game with Auden Tate and Ryan Izzo gone to the NFL.

Defense

With Marvin Wilson gone for the spring, redshirt freshman Ja’len Parks and Cory Durden saw increased reps in defensive line drills. Haggins was coaching up Fredrick Jones on the same drill, specifically addressing Jones’ arm techniques. Tallahassee native Cedric Wood impressed on this drill as well.

Linebacker Josh Brown showed quickness in open field tackling drills, throwing Zaquandre White off balance. Brown is showing great awareness and ability in open-field tackling. White threw FAU transfer Andy Bien-Aime to his knees shortly thereafter.

Special Teams

Perhaps the most interesting drill of the afternoon was an open field agility drill, set up similar to a punt return drill, where one ball carrier would try to avoid being touched by two oncoming defenders. Gavin showed breakaway speed while continuing to work on elusiveness in the open field.

Punter Logan Tyler received several long snaps from Tallahassee native Grant Glennon, while redshirt freshman Tommy Martin took second-team snaps behind Tyler.

The Seminoles will participate in one more week of practice before the Spring Game on Saturday, April 14th.