Florida State practice notebook: November 11

Update, 11:15 a.m.

The big story of today in Florida State news — quarterback James Blackman, receiver Tamorrion Terry, offensive lineman Devontay Love-Taylor and defensive tackle Marvin Wilson will not suit up again for FSU this season — with Blackman and Terry leaving the program.

“As a first-year coach at a program, I never think about attrition. From the day that I got here, these are all my players. I don’t want to lose any player. I want guys here that are 100% invested in growth.”

“On Sunday, I had a conversation with James Blackman. Came in. Had a really good talk. James discussed the interest in being able to explore other opportunities after he graduates here from Florida State. And it’s something that I support, James and I have really developed a good relationship over the last nine months. I appreciate all the work that he’s poured into this program. He’s an incredible young man.”

“It bothered me that some fans booed [James] last week” after everything that he’s given to the program.

“He could’ve left plenty of times...I’m grateful to know James Blackman.”

“I appreciate Marvin and the leader that he’s worked to be to a lot of these young guys and all aspects of what he does.

I thought his energy on the sideline on Saturday was very impressive. I hate for him that he’s not going to be able to finish up this season with us, but it’s something he had to get done and we definitely support him in his rehabilitation and obviously what his future is going to be.”

“Tamorrion worked hard to get himself back on the field last week. He is no longer part of the team this week.”

“What we are experiencing this year, it is a change — it is a challenge every single day.

The sacrifices these kids have to make, what they have to do just to play the game, it’s hard. Then you couple that with new expectations, a new standard and, preparation are one factor that are outside of these guys control. It is going to show up [later on in life too] — when they have families, when they’re making a living during a profession.

This is my job, but I sure didn’t sign up to see COVID and to see quarantines and all of those things — nobody expected that to happen, but at the end of the day, you have to respond to it. And that’s what makes this game so wonderful. I told the guys today how grateful for the opportunity to coach them because it is a challenge. It is a challenge every day, but it is going to help prepare them for their future for what they’re going to face in the real world. But it is also going to help them in games with who they are and who they’re going to become.”

More than halfway through the season, Florida State Seminoles football head coach Mike Norvell and his football team are still trying to get things consistent.

While the highs of what’s possible with this team was seen during the first half vs. North Carolina, the lows have appeared early and often as FSU has struggled with execution, injuries and maintaining consistency throughout the course of the game.

The Seminoles’ latest test is against NC State, who is coming off a near upset of the Miami-Florida Hurricanes.

We’ll be hearing from Norvell today, as well as defensive players and potentially coaches. You can follow along both in the comment section and on our Twitter, and in the meantime, drop any questions you have in the comments and we’ll try to get to them.