Mike Norvell happy with motivation level from veteran stars

After rebuilding the program, Mike Norvell and Florida State are expected to take the next step and compete for the ACC. To do that, the team’s veterans need to stay motivated to push forward, rather than sit on their laurels.

Luckily for Florida State, Norvell seems to think that the team’s veterans have been able to keep their focus in this regard. That starts with those players still trying to improve.

“You know, Jordan Travis, Jared Verse, those guys. Lawrance Toafili has been remarkable through this. I think Johnny [Wilson], it’s impressive to see what he’s doing,” Mike Norvell said. “I could go through a long list of guys.”

As Mike Norvell explained, it comes down to his team having the right mindset and motivation when they’re practicing this spring.

“I mean, you look at the mindset of what they’re bringing. Jarrian Jones, I think I mentioned him in the scrimmage. Renardo Green. You know, I like what I’m seeing from the defensive backfield. Just the growth and the competition and the versatility that they’re showing,” Norvell said.

“So, I mean, there’s a lot of guys that have played a lot of football and you feel their desire to get better, and I know it’s an easy thing to say. ‘Well, I just want to get better.’ But it’s another thing to come out when your body’s a little sore, you’re tired, and you have that day one push to go and show it. So, that’s some good work.”

Mike Norvell on Jordan Travis

One thing that has impressed Mike Norvell the most this spring is Jordan Travis’ confidence. It, as Norvell explained, comes from his experience and it could take his game to the next level.

“He’s obviously got a great perspective. As in real time, you know, with everything firing at him. And I think just the confidence in what he sees is really impressive. There’s times that we have, what matters is what he sees. And I can see in a variety of different ways and there’s sometimes those open conversations of what we’re doing and how we can maybe have a tweak here or tweak there. But yeah, that’s the fun of this offense is there’s a lot of variations, a lot of things that ties to each quarterback and you know, I mean, I love where his eyes are. He sees it so very well,” Norvell said.

“But, you know, he also has that experience and confidence and if he thinks he can take it to another level in maybe the read or progression, those things I’m always gonna listen to. Especially this time of the year, maybe give a little freedom and explore some new things. You know, it’s definitely been fun.”