Mike Norvell claims Florida State has shown impressive speed in spring practice

Florida State has an abundance of talent, but one trait sticks out to head coach Mike Norvell. In April, Norvell raved about Florida State’s exceptional speed.

“We can run,” Norvell said. “We absolutely have speed. We have explosiveness. I think that there’s great competition across the board. Last year, there were some positions that we had great depth at, but I think collectively, across the board, we have a chance to be a deeper football team where we’ll be able to have guys at every position that will be able to go out there and play winning football for us, and that’s exciting.”

Florida State was lightning-fast last year, as well. From Trey Benson to Keon Coleman, the Seminoles never lacked wheels. Nonetheless, Norvell believes his team boasts even more agility across the board this season.

In his defense, FSU has added athletic wideouts such as Malik Benson (Alabama) and Jalen Brown (LSU) via the NCAA Transfer Portal. On the defensive side of the ball, incoming recruits Charles Lester III and Jamari Howard will provide another level of speed.

Norvell is certainly happy with the progress he’s seen from FSU’s fresh faces.

“I’ve been a head coach going to my ninth year, and I usually get a pretty good sense of a team by how the practice before the Spring Showcase or game in previous years, what their approach to it is, and seeing that mentality,” Norvell said after the team’s intrasquad scrimmage. “I love the way the guys competed, and I thought it was a really good day. (There were) some good plays on both sides.

“I’ve been pleased with the steps and the growth that we’ve seen from a lot of individuals, and guys that have embraced the challenge, guys that have taken ownership. There’s still so much for us to get better at.”

It will be difficult for Florida State to replicate last season’s success. The team finished the season with a 13-1 record, remaining flawless before falling to Georgia in the Orange Bowl. FSU was the first team ever to be undefeated and win its conference championship, but not receive a berth in the College Football Playoff.

The CFP Selection Committee ultimately chose others over FSU after the Seminoles’ starting quarterback, Jordan Travis, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12. With fresh legs and more motivation than ever, FSU will look to leave its opponents in the dust in the 2024 campaign.