Florida State receiver Johnny Wilson, cornerback Azareye'h Thomas battling well in practice

Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas might have been destined to compete against each other in practice.

Since the Seminoles started preseason camp last month, almost every defensive back has struggled to handle Wilson’s 6-foot-7, 235-pound frame. Even if the Arizona State transfer doesn’t create much separation, he uses his large catch radius and athleticism well to gain an advantage.

Then there is Thomas, the true freshman who already looks like the most physically gifted cornerback on the roster. The Niceville product – who is listed as the No. 2 boundary cornerback behind sophomore Omarion Cooper – has been an interception machine this offseason.

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And at 6-2, 188 pounds, Thomas has enough length to hold his own against towering receivers like Wilson.

Thomas and Wilson seem to push each other in a healthy way during the competitive portions of FSU’s practices. The burgeoning newcomers were in quite a few of those situations throughout practice Tuesday.

“True freshman. It’s that reminder, you see him out there and sometimes you forget that,” Seminole head coach Mike Norvell said. “The competitiveness, that edge that he brings. He’s a big-bodied corner. That was one of the things we were excited about.

“But you see the ball skills. Being able to have those quick reactions. Johnny got him a couple times, but he won his battles too today. That competition is always fun to see.”

Wilson still dominates Thomas at times. He hauled in an impressive jump-ball catch over Thomas in a one-on-one rep. In another practice earlier this month, Wilson scored a touchdown after snatching a jump ball out of Thomas’ hands.

But Wilson has clearly established himself as FSU’s top receiver heading into the season. He even caught a deep pass over veteran defensive backs Akeem Dent and Renardo Green during 11-on-11 work Tuesday, securing an underthrown ball that floated in the air.

And during a goal-line situation, Wilson came down with another difficult catch in traffic.

“He has great size. Great speed. Catches the ball. Has a great catch radius. He possesses the qualities that you want,” Norvell said. “I think he’s done a really good job here in fall camp in preparing himself for this game week. He had some incredible plays today, and I’m excited about where he is going.”

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The Seminoles begin their season with a Week Zero game against Duquesne at 5 p.m. Saturday, which will be played in Doak Campbell Stadium and broadcast on ACC Network.

With the way Wilson and Thomas have competed in practice, Norvell seems confident about his receivers and defensive backs heading into the season.

“We have a lot of guys – Renardo Green – who are definitely showing up,” Norvell said. “Duke Cooper. Those are those battles that you want to see between those receivers and defensive backs. And there are going to be times where you are going to get beat.

“But it’s how you respond on the next play. What lesson did you learn, and how can you apply it moving forward? And for a freshman, his maturity level, that is what I think makes (Thomas) really different.”

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Embracing scout team

Planning to take an academic redshirt, freshman defensive lineman Ayobami Tifase won’t play for FSU this season.

That hasn’t stopped him from embracing his role on the scout team, the collection of players who are typically buried in the depth chart and are meant to simulate each opponent in practice.

“Ayo came up to me after practice and said, ‘Coach, how does that look?’ I like seeing a big human being go and give full effort, working on technique and fundamentals,” Norvell said. “Somebody who needs to grow up and learn the fundamentals.

“If you bring that approach, then you are going to have a great future.”

The Seminoles started including scout team work in its practices during the final days of preseason camp last week. Players who want to see the field often struggle with having to be part of the scout team. Norvell had a message to those players.

“Just go look at all of the All-Americans who are up on that wall,” Norvell said. “The first-round draft picks who are at the beginning of their journey, it wasn’t jump in and, ‘Hey, I’m a superstar.’ That happens to a handful of them.

“But a lot of guys have to grow and develop. So embrace that opportunity.”

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Akeem Dent aiming high

FSU redshirt junior safety Akeem Dent has high expectations for himself this season.

Maybe too high.

“A lot of picks. A lot of tackles. Shooting double digits on both of them,” Dent said. “So we are going to see how Saturday goes.”

What is important for Dent, though, is that he continues to show that confidence. Because until late last season, Dent seemed to struggle with feeling comfortable in FSU’s defense. Multiple coaching changes, defensive schemes and position switches will do that to a player.

Dent moved from safety to cornerback before the 2020 season. Then he transitioned back to safety ahead of last season. Safety proved to be his most natural position. Now,  now like one of the best players on this Seminole defense.

“You look at Akeem and his journey, it’s not a whole lot of fun. Corner. Safety. Corner. All of the different (position switches),” Norvell said. “As we were able to help get him to the position that we felt was best for him and his buy-in in that too, it has been fun to watch his confidence grow.

“The consistent play, the understanding, the communication – and Akeem is a playmaker. He’s great in coverage.

“But now you see him in a different role, and he has flourished. We kept him there. He has embraced that change. I think he’s got a chance to be a great player this year.”

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GAME INFORMATION

Who: FSU vs. Duquesne

When/Where: Saturday, 5 p.m., Doak Campbell Stadium

TV/Radio: ACC Network/94.9 FM

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @CarterKarels on Twitter; @Ehsan_Kassim on Twitter; @JimHenryTALLY on Twitter

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Receiver Johnny Wilson, cornerback Azareye'h Thomas competing well