Things to Know Before the First Day of Florida State Training Camp

When you hear Florida State football coach Mike Norvell shout “good morning” to the city of Tallahassee before the sun comes up, you know college football has officially begun.

The Seminoles head to the Dunlap Athletic Training Center at 9 a.m. Wednesday for the first day of fall camp. Norvell is excited as he begins his fifth season at FSU.

“It’s been a tremendous offseason for our program, from the start in January, through the winter program, spring training, summer training, all the way to reporting tomorrow,” Norvell said during the 2024 ACC Kickoff on Monday.

“So excited about this team. Excited about the young men I get to coach.”

Despite a perfect regular season record and winning the ACC title, FSU still missed the College Football Playoffs, losing to Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

This year, Norvell will not settle for anything less than perfection. After expanding to 12 teams, FSU expects to make the playoffs.

Norvell believes his new group of guys are up to the task.

“I think we have a group of like-minded people,” Norvell said.

“They like to work. They are willing to take on challenges. It is that cohesion that makes me excited about what the potential of this team can be. We can only experience it now as we start the upcoming season.”

The Seminoles open the 2024 season against Georgia Tech in Week 0 at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. The game will be televised on ESPN at 12:00 p.m.

As the Seminoles prepare for their first day of practice, here are some things you need to know about this year’s team.

What are Florida State’s strengths?

Attack

FSU’s attacking game is in good hands.

Despite the loss of Trey Benson, FSU has plenty of options at running back. Lawrence Toafili and Caziah Holmes are the two returning seniors from last season.

FSU also added Jaylin Lucas and Roydell Williams via the transfer portal. Freshmen Kam Davis, Micahi Danzi and Samuel Singleton Jr. could see action in their first seasons.

FSU’s offensive line has three of its five starters back, including left tackle and team leader Darius Washington. Maurice Smith is back at center. Both were All-ACC last year. Jeremiah Byers returns at right tackle.

The Seminoles have acquired Richie Leonard IV, Jacob Rizy and TJ Ferguson from the trade market to compete for the starting guard positions.

Defense

FSU is full up front.

Losing Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Fabien Lovett to the NFL won’t hurt the Seminoles, given their depth on the defensive line.

All-ACC Patrick performers Patrick Payton and Joshua Farmer will lead the d-line. Payton led the Seminoles with 14.5 tackles for loss and was second in sacks with seven. Farmer added five sacks and seven TFLs at defensive tackle.

Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. has made his mark after FSU’s spring showing and is expected to be a key addition to FSU’s defensive line.

What are Florida State’s weaknesses?

Attack

With quarterback Jordan Travis and wide receivers Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and tight end Jaheim Bell all gone, the Seminoles’ passing game will have a new group of players.

As quarterback DJ Uiagalelei looks to lead the offense behind the centers, he must find his new weapons at the receiver position.

Alabama transfer Malik Benson is expected to be the primary target for the Seminoles, but there is still uncertainty about who WR2 could be.

Ja’khi Douglas, who has spent most of his time in the slot, and Hykeem Williams, who has played in eight games, are likely to get more opportunities. Other receivers to watch include Elijah Moore, the 6-foot-4 freshman, Darion Williamson and Kentron Poitier.

Defense

There are still holes that need to be filled on defense, especially at linebacker.

FSU must identify its new linebacker corps after the departures of Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune. DJ Lundy will be the man under center for the Seminoles.

Auburn transfer Cam Riley is also expected to compete for the inside linebacker job. Sophomores Omar Graham Jr., Blake Nichelson and Justin Cryer could also be in the mix.

The secondary is predominantly young, with cornerback Fentrell Cypress II and safety Shyheim Brown as the top two returning starters.

Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas made waves in the spring and will likely start on the other side of Cypress. FSU is still looking for someone to play nickel and another safety to play alongside Brown.

Best home game

The Oct. 5 game has every conceivable storyline you could imagine for Week 5, when ACC heavyweights FSU and Clemson square off at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Clemson and FSU are of course also part of ongoing lawsuits against the ACC. Uiagalelei will also be facing his former team for the first time.

But if they beat the Tigers, the Seminoles could have a shot at the ACC championship and a spot in the playoffs.

Last year, the Seminoles defeated Clemson in overtime in Death Valley.

Best away match

Notre Dame is back on FSU’s schedule. It’s the first time since 2020 that FSU travels to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame has won the last three meetings. Most recently, FSU lost at home to Notre Dame in overtime, 41-38.

If FSU clinches a spot in the ACC Championship, a road game against Notre Dame could provide a key victory for the Seminoles in a non-conference game that would put them in the College Football Playoff.

What needs to happen for Florida State Football to reach the College Football Playoffs?

For FSU it is out of the question that they will be ignored again

Now that the College Football Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, the Seminoles may no longer have to worry about being shut out, despite having a perfect scoring record at 13-0.

FSU needs to set the tone early with a 2-0 start in the regular season against Georgia Tech and Boston College.

FSU also needs convincing wins in the middle of the season against Clemson, Duke and Miami. Wins over those three teams would secure the Seminoles a spot in the ACC Championship for the second straight season.

Winning the ACC title and defeating non-conference opponents like Notre Dame and Florida at the end of the season should be enough for the Seminoles to secure a high spot in the playoffs.

The most important thing is that FSU needs to stay healthy. And even more important, Uiagalelei needs to stay healthy heading into the postseason. Losing Travis last year tarnished FSU’s playoff chances, despite their perfect record.

That won’t be the case if the Oregon State transfer has a career year and plays the entire year. Uiagalelei has started 40 of the 48 games he played in his college career.