Mike Norvell updates progress with offensive line battle, different combinations

Florida State will be looking to build on its 10-win campaign in coach Mike Norvell‘s third season, and doing so will require the offensive line to be on point in blocking for star quarterback Jordan Travis.

Travis was electric a year ago and, if given the time to operate, figures to be even better as a fifth-year player in 2023.

To that end, Florida State spent plenty of time during spring football practice tinkering with with different offensive line combinations to figure out what might work best, as well as create considerable depth within the unit.

“At center we are trying to (create depth); Maurice (Smith) has been so steady for us in the last few years and a great leader for us up front,” Norvell said after one of the team’s scrimmages in spring. “But making sure that the battle for that next center position, who’s that going to be, and to be able to have two or three guys that can do it (is key).”

The FSU offensive line was terrific last season after years of ineptitude had plagued the program.

With a couple different offensive line combinations, Florida State finished ranked 14th nationally in rushing offense, averaging 5.47 yards per carry and 214.1 yards per game. The Seminoles also posted a pretty acceptable sack rate, finishing ranked 37th in the nation in sacks allowed.

Still, making sure there is depth behind Smith in case anything happens to the talented center remained a focus for Florida State throughout spring.

“I know Casey (Roddick‘s) been getting a lot of work there,” Norvell said. “Qae’shon Sapp is getting a good amount of work. Darius (Washington) I think we threw in there for a few series. Being able to have those guys as they’re growing and building in confidence in all the things they can do. We know during spring we’re going to push the different combinations and we want to see that.”

That push will continue in the fall, though Norvell and company will have to be a bit more particular about how it happens.

As the number of practices leading up to the season begins to shrink, FSU will tighten the number of offensive line combinations it’s trying to get closer to its ideal rotation.

“We want to see how guys respond,” Norvell said. “As we get a little bit further into fall camp there will be times that we do that, but really try to settle in more on specific positions. It was good to get some of the guys back.”