Florida State held its first scrimmage of the spring Saturday, and Mike Norvell came away encouraged by what he saw, emphasizing that there’s still room for the team to grow as it figures itself out over the course of camp.
“Our sixth practice, so still relatively new with a lot of newcomers that have joined the program,” he said, expanding later in his opening statement by noting that “for the most part, I thought the overall operation and communication was pretty good. There are some areas [to improve], not only with new players but also with new coaches, of figuring out how we’re going to operate. Right now we’re not in the stadium, so we’re here on the practice field, and there are some limitations in the scrimmage setting — just trying to figure out where guys are, we’re not in the press box, all that — but we’re trying to make it as game-like as possible. I think for the next one, hopefully by the end of spring, we’ll be able to get back in Doak.”
The Seminoles ran approximately 100 plays, and Norvell said the defense had highs — tackles for loss, consistent backfield pressure — coupled with lows, namely missed tackles in open space. The offense, he said, “did its thing.”
“There were some explosive plays on both sides,” Norvell said. “Started off opening drive, got a chance to see a pass play down the field — Ashton hit Jayvan Boggs on a big post, which is something that, for Boggs to see that next step in his progression as a receiver — I think he’s had a great week, made some good plays today, but that was a good way to start the day.”
Boggs had what Norvell called a dominant Thursday practice before being pulled as a precaution after a minor tweak midway through Saturday’s scrimmage:“He’s got a lot of confidence, he’s moving really well. He’s put himself in position to really be a key figure in what we’re doing.”
Norvell was especially excited about what he saw from the freshmen on offense, giving high praise to receiver Devin Carter. “There’s nothing he’s doing that’s shocking me,” Norvell said. “He’s got tremendous versatility, continuing to grow and get stronger each day. The mental part of the game — he embraces that understanding.” Fellow freshman receiver Jasen Lopez played his first live practice Saturday after an acclimation period coming off the basketball season and had a couple of big catches despite limited preparation time, while running back Amari Thomas also had a notable run.
The backfield saw contributions across the board, with Norvell highlighting sophomore Ousmane Kromah in particular for a run that drew praise from defensive coordinator Tony White after practice, saying that Samuel Singleton and Quintrevion Wisner both had explosive runs as well. “I thought the running backs did a nice job,” Norvell said. “You’ve got to go back and watch all the protections, but for the most part I thought we were pretty clean.”
One defensive position group in particular that drew accolades from Norvell was the linebacker room, with the head coach saying that Blake Nichelson and Omar Graham Jr. were “flying around,” with both Caleb and Noah LaVallee getting shoutouts as well as Karon Maycock.
He said there was a notable difference on defense when they simplified things, “just played some base and let guys get off blocks, make tackles, win on pass rushes…there’s some violence that showed up across the field.”
“I like the way we’re coaching that group up front — T-Knight, Nick Williams — those guys are doing a nice job. The energy is there…within this defense, we’re going to have pressures that involve all levels, so even the safety and corner positions, you felt them in the run game as well.”
At this point, Norvell said he doesn’t feel either side of the ball has an edge on the other. “There are things that every explosive play brings — excitement on one side, disappointment on the other,” he said. “I want to see speed on defense, I want to see physicality. Offensively, I want to see open-field guys who can make guys miss, guys who when their number is called have to go make the one-on-one play, push the ball down the field. For six practices, I think we’ve got a pretty good glimpse of where we are, and it’s going to be a big week moving forward.”
FSU’s quarterback competition continues to unfold as Daniels and redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry continue to duke it out over the starting gig.
“They were good. It’s a first scrimmage — good and bad really did show up on both of them. They both had explosive plays that showed up today, and there were also some plays that you just have to grow from. If you look back, I think Ashton had a really good first week. We’re grading everything. He’s placing the ball at a high percentage — today there were a couple we missed. I think Kevin has had a good first week too. There were some plays he was looking to clean up, and I thought he made a couple really nice throws on things he had missed earlier in the week — definitely a great response for him.“
“It’s a really good room, and those guys are battling. Today was a really solid day for them — because of the good, and then the things we have to get corrected.”
Norvell, asked to expand on Daniels as a person and competitor, said that he’s “been pleased with what he’s done within the locker room and how he operates on the field.”
“That was the thing that everybody pointed back to: take the talent and ability, but you add in the work ethic and the player, and I think that’s why you’ve seen the improvement he’s had,” Norvell said. “Just in the last year with the opportunities he got playing last season — with what I’m getting to see out on the practice field, the way the team works with him since he’s been here. He’s not afraid to speak his opinion, not afraid to call guys up to a standard. He’s definitely a guy who is pushing himself to show that leadership capability. He’s been good.“
Florida State returns to the practice field on Monday, the first of three practices before its second scrimmage of the spring on April 4.
Florida State football: Head coach Mike Norvell post-scrimmage press conference, March 28, 2026
MIKE NORVELL: Alright, good morning, everybody. Appreciate everybody jumping on. It was a good first scrimmage to get out there and see guys work. Our sixth practice, so still relatively new with a lot of newcomers that have joined the program.
There were some explosive plays on both sides. Started off opening drive, got a chance to see a pass play down the field — Ashton hit Jayvan Boggs on a big post, which is something that, for Boggs to see that next step in his progression as a receiver —I think he’s had a great week, made some good plays today, but that was really a good way to start the day offensively.
I thought the defense responded well. Was able to create some TFLs, got some pressure on the quarterback. Some guys were definitely flying around, playing fast. There are things you’ll see in a first scrimmage. We’ve got to continue to get better. Had some open-field missed tackles, which was positive for the guys with the ball in their hands but negative on the defensive side. There were some times we allowed bigger runs than what were maybe needed, but guys were running hard.
For the most part, I thought the overall operation and communication was pretty good. There are areas [to improve] — not only with new players, but also with new coaches — of how we’re going to operate. Right now we’re not in the stadium, so we’re here on the practice field, and there are some limitations in the scrimmage setting. We’re trying to make it as game-like as possible. We’ll have that for the next one, and hopefully by the end of spring we’ll be able to get back in there.
It was a good work day. Some young players rose up. I was really pleased to see guys go out there and make plays. I know Devin Carter had a play, Jasen Lopez, Amari Thomas had a big run. And the veteran guys are just continuing to push and get better.
We tried to have a good amount of balance — run and pass — throughout it. Defensively, there were some series where we didn’t pressure, just played base and saw guys get off blocks and make tackles. When we went to pass rush, that definitely showed up. I thought the linebacker position played with good speed today. It definitely felt like there was some violence across the field. All in all, it was a good day. Got about 100 plays, which is right around — maybe a little more than — what I wanted.
QUESTION: When you look back at last season, there were some explosive plays, but it seemed like the offense sometimes got bogged down in the red zone. Is that something that you think about in the spring, or is it more just a new year, building in a new direction?
NORVELL: We started with that. The very first thing we did was put the ball at the 10-yard line and said, let’s go play. There were a couple good drives and a good defensive stop.
We’ve mixed up those situations. I think it was the fourth practice we had our first red zone emphasis, just to make sure we’re getting work in that area. I don’t want it to become too scheme-heavy — we’re trying to teach concepts — but there are certain things you want to do down there.
We’ll build on that throughout the offseason, but we’ll get a good amount of red zone work this spring because we know we’ve got to be better offensively.
QUESTION: You mentioned Amari Thomas had a big run. Overall, how did you feel the running back room handled today?
NORVELL: I thought they did a good job. Each of them had their moments. We got 100 plays, there were a lot of opportunities. Some explosive runs.
I know Ous — Ousmane Kromah — had an incredible run that went all over the field. Coach White called him up after practice to compliment the effort on that play. Sam Singleton and Tre [Wisner] both had big runs that showed up as well.
We’ve got to make sure we’re continuing to improve. There were a couple we left out there — credit to the defense for penetrating and not letting us get to the next level. It was good back and forth. I thought the running backs did a nice job. I’ve got to go back and watch protections, but for the most part we were pretty clean. They also showed they could catch the ball out of the backfield in different situations and allowed us to get drives started.
QUESTION: What were your general thoughts on quarterback play today, and are either of those guys distinguishing themselves or separating themselves at this point?
NORVELL: I thought they were good. First scrimmage — good and bad that really did show up for both. They both had explosive plays that showed up and some plays you have to grow from.
Ashton Daniels had a really good first week. We’re grading everything that we’re doing, and he’s completing the ball at a high percentage. Today there were a couple that we missed.
Kevin Sperry has had a good first week as well. There were some plays he was looking to clean up upon, but I thought he made a couple really nice throws off things he had missed earlier — that was a great response for him. It’s a really good room. I think those guys are battling. Today was, I’d say, a solid day because of both the good and some of the things we’ve got to get corrected.
QUESTION: Now that you’ve been around Ashton for a few months, what have you learned about his personality — you know him as a player from film, but what have you learned about him as a person, as a competitor?
NORVELL: I’ve been really pleased. We did as much research on him as you can imagine, just the people you talk to, and that was the thing everyone pointed to. Has ability, but you add in the work ethic, the player.
I think that’s why you see the improvement over the last year and what he’s doing now. The way the team works with him since he’s been here, he’s not afraid to speak an opinion, not afraid to call up to a standard. He’s pushing himself to show leadership capability.
He’s been good. I’ve been pleased with what he’s done in the locker room and also how he operates on the field.
QUESTION: When you mentioned the forcing unit being disruptive and getting to the backfield — defensive line, linebackers — just beyond today, how has that group been collectively through five practices?
NORVELL: It’s been good. It all works together, especially in this defense.
There’s been some active movement up front. I like the way we’re coaching the defensive line. I like the way we’re coaching that group up front — T-Knight, Nick Williams — those guys are doing a nice job. The energy is there.
We’ve had some great additions at linebacker. I felt Blake Nichelson today and Omar Graham today — those guys were flying around. When you have a group that can run and is physical, it’s good.
Caleb LaVallee is getting back out there — you feel his presence. Great speed, definitely a physical player. Noah LaVallee showed up big today, had a pick late, was active in the backfield. He’s a guy who’s trending really well — tough, smart, very instinctive for a guy who should still be in high school.
Karon Maycock showed some good things. We’ve got a good group at linebacker. And in this defense, pressure comes from all levels — even the safety position. You felt the safeties and corners in the run game as well.
QUESTION: As a follow-up — how has the offensive line dealt with the challenge that collective group has brought?
NORVELL: It’s definitely challenging early, but they’ve done a good job — especially the first six, seven, eight guys with a little more experience. They’re handling it well.
But each rep is another opportunity to build cohesiveness. Against an aggressive, attack-style defense — you’ve got to be connected. There have been some really good looks, teaching moments. It’s a smart, engaged group trying to play to a standard. I’ve got a lot of confidence in what it will be as we continue to work.
QUESTION: In general — and I know it’s hard with different groupings and rotating guys — do you have a sense of either side of the ball being ahead of the other so far in spring?
NORVELL: I don’t. Every explosive play brings excitement for one, and disappointment for the other side.
I want to see speed on defense, physicality — we’ve done that. But offensively, we’ve done some good things in the run game through a variety of schemes. Today I wanted to see open-field ability — guys making people miss, winning one-on-ones, pushing the ball downfield.
It’s always going back and forth, but the things we need to see through six practices we’ve gotten a good glimpse. It’ll be a big week moving forward.
QUESTION: Coach, did you go live on special teams? Did you get a good look at Gabe and Daniel and some of the return men?
NORVELL: It’s one of those things early — I’m excited about what I’m seeing, especially at punt returner.
Sam Singleton back there, some running backs, and skill guys. In kick return, I’ve got a lot of confidence in what that’s going to look like.
We were full speed but not tackling returners here, early. We have a really good group of punt returners — caught the ball well, definitely explosive. Jayvan Boggs — I’ve seen some really good things. A couple newcomers — Devin Carter and Jasen Lopez have been very natural. He’s been very natural and fluid.
It was good being outside with some wind — it added challenges for the specialists. Some good and bad showed up, but overall it was a good day.
QUESTION: Coach, how are things with you and Tim Harris running the show together in a scrimmage environment?
NORVELL: It was good. We split up series — some I called, some Tim called — to let me move and do things on both sides to manage different situations.
Tim’s outstanding — a great coach and leader. He’s doing a wonderful job with the offense. Communication was pretty clean for a first scrimmage, but there are still areas we’re going to build through.
QUESTION: At the top you mentioned a couple of wide receivers — Jayvan Boggs, Devin Carter. I’m curious about those two today. And specifically with Jayvan — last year he had flashes but dealt with injury and never really got traction. How has he responded this spring?
NORVELL: Boggs had a great week. Thursday he was dominant really as a receiver. Today, especially starting off early, he had a little tweak midway through, so we held him out as a precaution. Had some good work early, had a really good week and I’m excited about what I’m seeing. He’s moving well, stronger in the offseason, playing with confidence. He’s put himself in position to be a key figure in what we’re doing.
Devin has come in with maturity. He can run — I’ve watched him for years, I’ve seen him grow up. Nothing he’s doing surprises me. Tremendous versatility, continuing to grow and get stronger with each day, but the mental side of the game, he embraces that understanding. He catches the ball well. I’m really pleased there.
Today was Jasen’s first live day after acclimating from basketball. He was in a helmet the first two days. He jumped right into the scrimmage and had a couple big catches — obviously some things that he’s got to get more reps at, but he showed some good things today.
QUESTION: I know you’re hosting your Legacy Weekend with some former players back. What kind of messages are they sharing, and do you see these new players responding to that?
NORVELL: They’ve done and are doing what these guys hope and desire to be. When you hear their experiences and the chance to understand the standard and expectation of what we’re asking these guys to do, it was the same standard and expectation that those guys got to work through.
It wasn’t always easy and didn’t always look good, but they made the choice to elevate themselves. I love having them back. I’m proud of them for what they’re doing.
To hear them pour into what the future is — I’m just really proud of them.
QUESTION: Mike, you saw Micahi Danzy yesterday in his race. How excited are you for him in year two, getting involved in the offense — specifically that speed and explosiveness that you like?
NORVELL: I’m really proud of him. We’ve been smart with him, keeping him non-contact throughout, but he’s growing as a route runner. First week he did some really good things — caught the ball really well. It’s hard doing what he’s doing.
This week he had a meet. Really focused on track this week. Definitely proud — I got to watch him in the 4×400, seeing him bring it home was special. [Track and field coach Matt] Kane has them rolling pretty good.
Micahi has an elite ceiling. His work ethic and sacrifice is going to allow him to get there. I’m really proud of him.