Florida State Football: Mike Norvell on the players that have improved most this summer

Entering his second season as the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, Mike Norvell is working towards his goal of returning the program to prominence. This summer, he’s seen improvements in multiple players on both the offensive and defensive units.

“I think we’ve improved across the board,” stated Norvell, via the team’s YouTube channel. “You look at the receiver position and the early emergence of Malik McClain, Joshua Burrell, Andrew Parchment coming in, and you see guys like Ontaria Wilson, Keyshawn Helton, that have really elevated their game. I’m excited to see where that group continues to progress.

“We’ve got some experienced players that you know that are hungry, that are trying to push themselves, and we’ve got some young guys that I think have a bright future. I’d say that’s a group that’s really kind of taken the next step. And we need them to.”

Hearing good news from Norvell about the team’s receiving corps is music to the ears of any Seminoles fan. With quarterbacks McKenzie Milton and Jordan Travis each possessing unique skill-sets, either one will benefit from electrifying play from their play-makers.

While Wilson and Helton project to lead the group, McClain, Burrell and Parchment are capable of making plays. In 2021, McClain and Burrell will join the fold as freshmen, while Parchment comes over as a transfer from the Kansas Jayhawks.

Mike Norvell seeing improvement on defense

While Norvell sees players on offense elevating their game, he’s not limiting the praise to one side of the football.

“You look at the defensive end position and really across the defensive line, I think some of the guys that have come in, have come in with the right mindset, attitude,” stated Norvell. “Our interior guys, Fabien Lovett, Dennis Briggs, Jarrett Jackson, Robert Cooper, I feel good about the potential of that group. It’s just the consistency of what we’re doing, but I really like that.

“I think we have more depth across the board in the secondary as well as at linebacker. The competition has really helped us.”

Last season, the Florida State defense was rough. Disappointingly, the unit finished last in the ACC in sacks, and near the bottom in total defense as well. All in all, they allowed 36 points per game. 

While the bar is low, improving the unit would go a long way in the success of Norvell’s squad. The consistency he sees from the defensive line, as well as the added depth in the secondary and at linebacker should translate to a better defense in 2021.

Nobody expect Mike Norvell to transform Florida State into a title contender in just his second season. Still, he believes the groundwork for success is being laid in Tallahassee.

“I really like the growth that I’m seeing with the team,” Norvell said.

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