Mike Norvell details why Keon Coleman won Florida State's punt returner job

Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell and his coaching staff have been scheming up unique ways to get the ball in the hands of some of their playmakers. With only one ball and a number of pass-catching threats on the Seminoles offense, Florida State has found a way to take advantage of wide receiver Keon Coleman‘s size, strength, and speed by using him as a returner.

Recently, Norvell shared his thoughts on Coleman and why he won this year’s right to be one of the Seminoles’ return specialists.

“Keon, as a punt returner, obviously he is a dynamic athlete. He is a bigger punt returner at 6’4′ and 215 pounds, but he’s got great confidence back there,” said Norvell. “He has really, really good range to be able to get to a lot of different kicks. That’s one of the things.

“It’s been a great competition. Lawrence Toafili, Destyn Hill, (and) Vandrevius ‘Dre’ Jacobs, those have all been guys who have been a part of that. We got some other guys that we do think have a great future back there in that role. But Keon, that gives us a wonderful chance to be able to help create some explosive plays in that regard. So, (I’m) definitely excited about what I’ve seen from him.”

Coleman was a three-sport athlete in high school and played defensive back and wide receiver at Opelousas Catholic High School in Opelousas, LA. So, the former Michigan State Spartan is familiar with making plays all over the field. This year, Norvell has a plan to continue the Seminoles’ winning ways while being more explosive in all three facets of the game. And Coleman will now feature in two of those three areas, getting double the opportunity to electrify Florida State fans this season.

Norvell reveals WR Ja’Khi Douglas will miss time to start 2023 season

Norvell also provided an update on another one of his wideouts. According to the Seminoles’ headman, the team is going to be healthy for the most part. However, the Seminoles will be without wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas.

This comes after several players were banged up to some extent during Fall Camp.

“Health-wise, going into this week, I like where we are,” Mike Norvell said. “I think we’re going to get a few guys who have had some bumps and bruises along the way in Fall Camp, I think we’re gonna get most of them back here for this week.”

Despite that overall positive update, Norvell did have to deliver the bad news that Ja’Khi Douglas is going to miss not just the LSU game but the first couple of games to open the season.

“Wasn’t on the depth chart, Ja’Khi Douglas will miss a few games here early in the season. Fully expect him back relatively soon, but he will miss for sure this first contest — probably the first couple as we head into this season.”

Beyond the LSU game, Florida State has a massively important game against Clemson in late September. The Seminoles are going to want to get Douglas back for that game and be as healthy as possible.