Florida State TEs coach Chris Thomsen analyzes position group, possibilities with Johnny Wilson

Florida State tight ends coach Chris Thomsen flashed a big smile while addressing the idea of using wide receiver Johnny Wilson at his position group.

“Definitely,” said Thomsen on whether Wilson could effectively play tight end. “He would probably not want to talk about that. But he’s got a skill set that would translate to a lot of different things. We had him in a block destruction drill this morning where we were joking with him about being a defensive end.

“You could see him doing a lot of different things. But I think he’s pretty comfortable about where he is. And we are excited about what he’s doing.”

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Wilson has been such a revelation this offseason that his ceiling is beginning to reach a level that the Seminoles haven’t seen at receiver in several years. But it’s certainly possible that this season, the Arizona State transfer will sometimes line up as a hybrid tight end detached from the line of scrimmage.

At 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, Wilson has the attributes necessary to handle that role. He brings the lengthy frame and catch radius to serve as a security blanket for his quarterback over the middle. He also plays physical and is probably the best blocker among FSU’s receiving corps.

The Seminoles need more dynamic playmakers like Wilson at tight end. And head coach Mike Norvell likes to involve multiple tight ends in his offense.

“He’s a guy who can really dominate in both areas, as a blocker (and receiver),” Thomsen said. “Obviously most of the time he’s on the perimeter, but we do tighten him down to the offensive line some where he is close to that edge. He can dominate in those situations.

“You guys have seen him down in the red area, how he can dominate that area of the field. But he’s also done great in the open field with the adjustments and the things that we’ve asked him to get good at.

“It really is remarkable for a guy who hasn’t been in the system very long. He has done a great job picking it up. Speaks to his intelligence as well.”

Redshirt senior Camren McDonald leads FSU’s tight end unit. The rest of that group includes redshirt junior Wyatt Rector, redshirt sophomores Markeston Douglas and Preston Daniel, sophomore Jackson West, and freshmen Brian Courtney and Jerrale Powers.

“The whole group is highly motivated,” Thomsen said. “Really wanting to absorb all of the different elements that position brings in terms of the assignment, what route do I run, what block do I execute.

“But then the technical aspect of how to do it. Super high concentration level from every guy in the room on wanting to perfect all of those things that we are asking them to do.”

Thomsen offered more assessments about those tight ends following practice Friday. Below is a closer look at the position group.

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Camren McDonald, top tight end

No FSU player has participated in more collegiate games than McDonald (45).

The Seminoles having a seasoned veteran like McDonald figures to help what is an otherwise inexperienced tight end group. Daniel (115) is FSU’s only other tight end who received at least 20 snaps on offense last season. Douglas (19), West (10), and the freshmen Powers and Courtney also have played less than 20 career snaps on offense.

McDonald will look to be more productive this season. He has yet to eclipse 25 catches or 300 receiving yards. And Norvell mentioned earlier in preseason camp that McDonald needed to recover from a minor injury.

Even if McDonald does not emerge as a dynamic playmaker for this offense, he could bring value in other ways.

“His experience is really invaluable,” said Thomsen of McDonald. “Anytime you have been out in that arena that many times and seen that many different looks, different things that happen to you in a game – and then you are a guy like he is who is willing to share that with the younger guys and help them grow – that is an invaluable role.

“You can only give them so many things in practice. They’ve got to go get it in the game. And when you’ve got a guy in the room who has done it in a game, it’s very, very helpful.”

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Markeston Douglas, No. 2 option?

Which player looks like FSU’s second-best tight end seemingly has changed on a weekly basis this offseason.

Rector appeared to establish himself as the No. 2 option in the spring. Then other tight ends flashed at different times throughout the preseason, including Daniel, West, Courtney and Douglas. By the end of camp, Douglas emerged as the flavor of the week.

“He’s got a lot of upside,” Thomsen said. “He’s got size. He’s got good ball skills. He can run. He can run better than what you think he can. Once he hits the gas, he can run. So he’s got a lot of tools to work with.

“It’s just understanding the every day (routine) of how to come into the meeting room and how to come to practice. He’s done a great job with that. And because of that, he’s made good strides.”

Enough strides that Douglas has shed the borderline offensive lineman label he once carried. The 6-4, 270-pound Douglas dropped a considerable amount weight, which has made him more nimble and threatening in space.

And his quality blocking alone should earn him a larger role this season.

“He’s made a lot of progress in in-line blocking,” Thomsen said. “With his size, that should be a strength of his. And he’s working hard to perfect that.

“And he’s a guy who never really did that in high school. Played basketball. His senior year was his first time playing football. He never really put his hand in the dirt.

“So he’s done well with that. But also, the perimeter stuff like route running. All of the things that we’ve asked him to do, he’s done really well.”

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Wyatt Rector and Preston Daniel still making a special teams impact

Rector and Daniel bring value to FSU beyond the tight end position.

Both players are significant contributors on special teams. That unit should use them for more than 200 snaps this season, so Thomsen will need to continue to manage their load at tight end.

“I definitely have to do a good job of monitoring that,” Thomsen said. “During the games, I will have a guy in the press box who will be able to help me monitor rep count and make sure that those things aren’t getting too high.

“And our guys in the room know that. So all of the other guys know that they are going to end up getting reps in some ways.”

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Brian Courtney, intriguing freshman

Whether Courtney will play high-leverage snaps on offense this season remains uncertain.

It’s clear, though, that FSU has something in the former quarterback. Courtney likely will need to improve his blocking and understanding of the position before securing a decent role. But he brings intriguing upside with his athleticism and natural hands.

“The route running, even that is new to him,” Thomsen said. “Catching the football is new. Protecting the football. But then all of the different techniques. Blocking, whether it is in-line, in the backfield or on the perimeter, he’s having to absorb all of the information and perfect a lot of different things.

“But he’s a very high-intelligence guy. Very, very smart. And very, very motivated to learn all of that stuff. So he’s a really fun guy to coach in that way.”

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2022 FSU football schedule

Aug. 27: Duquesne, 5 p.m. (ACC Network)

Sept. 4: vs. LSU, New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Sept. 16: at Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 24: Boston College

Oct. 1: Wake Forest

Oct. 8: at N.C. State

Oct. 15: Clemson

Oct. 29: Georgia Tech

Nov. 5: at Miami

Nov. 12: at Syracuse

Nov. 19: Louisiana

Nov. 25: Florida, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

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 coach Chris Thomsen talks tight ends, Johnny Wilson and more