FSU football practice updates: August 9

Day three of fall camp started post-Warchant with wails and whistles blaring from the Florida State practice fields

Defensive back Kevin Knowles II received praise from defensive line coach John Papuchis for his effort getting to the running back in block destruction and wide receiver stalk blocking drills

Linebackers DeCalon Brooks, DJ Lundy, and Amari Gainer showed good penetration when sacking the quarterback in one on one pass protection drills

In that same drill, running backs Lawrance Toafilli and Treshaun Ward held their own on a couple of reps as well.

On the defensive line, defensive tackle Robert Cooper showed his improvement by slinging a couple of offensive linemen around along with Keir Thomas and Quashon Fuller.

Jordan Travis hit wide receiver Ontaria Wilson in the flats for a big catch and run for about 18 yards.

The defensive line stood out the most today, sacking quarterback McKenzie Milton twice. They were an all-around menace, closing the pocket to contain him although, on one play he was able to take off and show his speed which would have been a touchdown had the play not been called dead at the 30-yard line. Keep in mind it was no contact for the quarterbacks so that can make the defense statistics look better. Both quarterbacks are extremely mobile and Jordan Travis’ accuracy seems to improve when he’s on the move.

Andrew Parchment shined again not only with a touchdown catch from Milton, but it seemed he was consistently open throughout practice.

Freshman tight end Jackson West had another good practice. At one point, defensive ends and special teams coach John Papuchis yelled his name three times after a good result in special team drills.

Here is video of the two-minute drills run by quarterbacks Chubba Purdy and Tate Rodemaker:

Alabama A&M transfer Marcus Cushnie showcased his speed on bag drills, and then in 11 on 11 disrupting the passer, causing him to make the quarterback get the ball out too soon.

Running back DJ Williams made a few errors in pass blocking drills but when it came to inside zone he shined, pushing through the line on multiple occasions.

A heavy day for the Florida State Seminoles football family is followed by another day out on the practice field.

FSU learned of legendary former head coach Bobby Bowden’s passing yesterday, and while the football world mourned the team ground out a practice in the shadow of the stadium that he helped shape a legacy in.

”I think I’ve told people before it was one of the reasons that I came to Florida State,” head coach Mike Norvell said on Sunday. “This program was the standard, it was, how he did it, it was different. There are plenty of places that care about the jersey number — he cared about the heart, the experience.”

Now, as flowers start to pile up underneath the statue depicting Coach Bowden’s likeness, the Seminoles are continuing to get work in just hundreds of feet away in anticipation of their season opener on September 5 vs. Notre Dame.

For Mike Norvell’s group, consistency has been the focus, with a huge point of emphasis being that the coaching staff has remained intact for two years in a row — a first for many.

“Getting the same offense two years in a row, getting the same terminology same verbiage, that can take you so much further in your game.” tight end Camren McDonald said on Saturday, mentioning it was a first for him since high school.

We’ll be providing updates today from practice as well as updates after from interviews with players and coaches. Follow along on our Twitter, or also feel free to join our free Discord to continue the conversation there.