Florida State practice notebook: August 29

Update, 1:30 PM

Florida State Seminoles football head coach Mike Norvell spoke today after an intentionally physical practice, pleased with the performance of the team after last week’s scrimmage left him disappointed in consistency and communication.

“Good work day,” he said during Saturday’s Zoom availability. “Guys had a pretty good approach. Back and forth, both sides showed good things.”

“I think our guys are understanding the why. They’re definitely growing.”

One big news item was Norvell complimenting defensive end Joshua Kaindoh, who was selected to carry out a Mike Norvell tradition of breaking a rock that symbolizes the progress made in fall camp.

“Josh is an extremely intelligent young man. He’s had some hiccups, a lot of things outside of his control. Last year, you saw some flashes of his potential.”

“I think the potential he has for his future is limitless. He’s becoming I think a well-rounded, dominant football player.”

As far as naming starters at any positions, Norvell says he and his staff will take the time to evaluate personnel and film this weekend, and possibly make some choices before heading into full Georgia Tech game prep.

Freshman receiver Kentron Poitier has emerged as a standout through fall camp, getting props from players and coaches alike for his playmaking ability. We’ve seen him make both impressive catches and plays with the ball, but his preference is fancy footwork.

“I don’t really like trucking people, I’d rather make them miss.”

Defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. also spoke with the media, taking the time to address the changes so far between coaching staffs.

“I feel like this coaching staff tries to play to our strengths. It’s more different little details from last year.’

“Everyday [Mike Norvell] comes out here with high energy and attention to details. He is going to make sure you give your best effort.”

“I feel like the whole defensive backfield took a major leap from January to now. Everyone out there just wants to maximize their potential.”

He also spoke on Joshua Kaindoh’s impressive fall camp.

“[Kaindoh getting recognized is] music to my ears, when I see Josh is doing good. When he’s out there doing his thing, that makes my job easier. Josh is very consistent, he treats it like he’s in the NFL already. He prepares like a pro.”

Freshman linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. was the final player of availability, speaking on where he’s been repping (mike), and on getting to walk out on the Florid State football field.

“It was kind of a surreal moment, knowing that I am actually going to be playing in a legendary stadium like that. It makes me feel like I accomplished something.”

We’re officially two weeks out from Florida State Seminoles football kicking off its season against Georgia Tech.

While the team has scrimmaged the last two Saturdays, Norvell has indicated multiple times this week that it won’t be the case today — instead, the team will work on physicality, allowing those teetering between second string and third string (or in some cases, first and second) to get some more reps in before game prep starts to officially kick in.

“It’s funny when you look back at a camp scrimmages are some of the lighter days you have when it comes to workload,” Norvell said yesterday. “Because if guys only get 50 plays in a day that’s only 50 reps. Practice, you might see 200 reps.

“This will be a finish practice...one I want to see guys finish better than we even begin at and continue to grow throughout.”

Special teams has been a consistent emphasis of the team this week according to Norvell, and today we possibly might get some insight into who’ll be starting on that unit — from punter (a competition between Alex Mastromanno and Tommy Martin) and kicker (Ryan Fitzgerald vs. Parker Grouthas) to who’ll be taking reps at returner (Keyshawn Helton has been pointed at as a main name taking reps on punt return, along with Jashuan Corbin and Meiko Dotson.) With freshman Chubba Purdy’s collarbone injury keeping him out of a run for the starting gig and Jordan Travis dealing with an issue that’s kept him away from practice (something Norvell has said he’s “not worried about”), it looks like its incumbent starter James Blackman’s job to lose. Tate Rodemaker, with a chance to get some more reps, has been getting compliments from coaches on his progress since spring.

We expect to hear from Norvell and other members of the team starting around 12 p.m. We’ll be constantly updating the comments once it starts — you can follow along in the there, as well as on our Twitter and Instagram.

If you’ve got any questions on the team so far, go head and drop them below, and we’ll do our best to get to them.