Mike Norvell is pleased with the growth, playmaking ability of wide receiver Deuce Spann

The Florida State Seminoles and head coach Mike Norvell are looking to bounce back after their team’s abysmal 2021 season. The Seminoles had one of the worst seasons in the school’s history, going 5-7. And that record was coupled with a loss to in-state rival in the Florida Gators, that eliminated them from bowl contention.

With the 2022 season just around the corner, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the team. One person in particular that has been drawing a lot of attention is transfer portal acquisition wide receiver, Deuce Spann. On Monday, Norvell praised his newest off as a weapon praising his growth and playmaking ability.

“Deuce (Spann) is feeling; I think he’s feeling very confident in what he’s being asked to do,” said Norvell. “Now it’s just continuing to build upon the smaller details of it. And you see his ability; he’s a very talented young man. He’s catching the ball more consistently; he still has his moments. But there are some things that are fundamental there, but he listens. And you see the application of the lessons throughout each practice and throughout the days that stack up. I think he’s going to be a real weapon for us. He definitely adds to the competitive element in that room, but I like what I’m seeing.”

After spending his first two seasons as a part of the Fighting Illini roster, Spann elected to head back to his home state of Florida and join the Seminoles. The six-foot-four sophomore out of Saint Petersburg, FL, had five catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns while playing for Illinois.

Mike Norvell sets expectations for 2022 season

Through two seasons, including one impacted by the pandemic, things have been disappointing for Mike Norvell at Florida State. In his third season as the head man in Tallahassee, Norvell is already setting high expectations.

“We have great expectations,” said Mike Norvell. “The daily expectation with the season expectation is for us to go out there and be our best to improve daily, to go out there and not only be competitive but to push to new limits of where we are and also where we’re going.”

“To see this team come together and to play as one. Those are the things that we’ve seen in laying that foundation this last year and to be able to see the growth, to see the confidence that our players have. I’m going to put no limits to what these guys can accomplish.”

To fix issues that the Seminoles have had, Mike Norvell has leaned heavily on the transfer portal. He’s hoping that those players will be able to fill gaps. The rest of the team is filled out by players Norvell recruited and developed. It’s a group that Norvell has a lot of confidence in.

“I’ve got an unbelievable amount of confidence in them,” Mike Norvell continued. “But ultimately, for us, it’s about us showing up every single day and going to perform and to execute at that level with an incredible level of consistency throughout that process. We have great expectations as a program.”