Mike Norvell confident in potential of defensive lineman Joshua Farmer

Florida State had one of the most feared defenses in the ACC conference and the entire country last season. Stars like Jared Verse and Jammie Robinson definitely made an impact, but a new star on the Seminole defense may emerge this year, and his name is Joshua Farmer. Farmer had an impressive spring practice for Florida State, which head coach Mike Norvell was asked about following one of the team’s spring scrimmages.

“You’re right, he has been dominant in practice and he is,” Norvell said. “I really believe that it’s just the reps, it’s the time, it’s the time in the meeting room, it’s the confidence in what he’s being asked to do and just how he’s applying that.”

Farmer is entering his third season with the Seminoles after being ranked a three-star prospect out of Port St. Joe, Florida, playing at Gadsden County high school. He was rated the No. 641 player and No. 66 EDGE in the nation according to On3’s Industry Ranking, putting on 50 pounds since high school and moving to defensive tackle for Florida State and making improvements every season.

“He’s a talented individual, strong, might be one of the strongest human beings we have on this team. I mean hand strength, power, punch, he’s got great movements. He’s a fun player to watch and coach and I’m telling you, I say it with full confidence, he is just scratching the surface,” Norvell said confidently.

Farmer played in just four games as a freshman and recorded one tackle, but made a jump his sophomore season. Last year he appeared in all 13 games for the Seminoles making 15 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and one quarterback hurry.

“He’s got an unbelievable potential in front of him because there’s still a lot of things technique-wise he has to be better at,” Norvell said. “But you see those moments, just how good it can be, and we need him to continue to take those steps.”

Nine practices into spring practice, Norvell called Farmer one of the most improved players on the team, and if he continues on that trajectory could be an impact player for the Seminoles’ defense this upcoming season.

“This has been a guy that’s player for us and you always talk about guys having to define a role or create opportunities and I think that he’s doing that and excited to see the consistency show up play in and play out,” Norvell said.