What we've learned as Florida State football set to return to spring practice

Spring break is over and that means Florida State football returns to its spring practice schedule, starting Tuesday.

The Seminoles practiced three times before spring break before a week off. This week the team will practice at 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Head coach Mike Norvell and his team have high expectations heading into year four and coming off the first 10-win season since 2016 for the program.

The Seminoles finished the season with six straight wins, including a victory over Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl.

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While Norvell said the first three practices went well for the team, he also said the team has a lot to work on in preparation for the Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase scheduled for 4 p.m. on April 15.

The Seminoles are scheduled to open the season in what should be a top-10 matchup with LSU on Sept. 3 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Here's what we learned from the first three practices.

Depth has improved; competition abound

The first thing that pops out at an FSU practice is the amount of depth the team has built up at certain positions. Wide receiver and offensive line on offense, as well as the defensive line and defensive backfield on defense.

Out of all the positions the defensive line might be the most impressive. Returners Jared Verse and Fabien Lovett are the obvious stars at the position. But Patrick Payton, Josh Farmer, Derrick McLendon II and Daniel Lyons all contributed last season.

Newcomers, Darrell Jackson, Jr. (Miami transfer), Gilber Edmond (South Carolina transfer), Lamont Green, Jr. (freshman) and Braden Fiske (Western Michigan transfer) have shown they can all help at the position this season.

FSU finally has depth at those positions, which Norvell compared favorably to back-to-back national champion Georgia.

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Replacing wide receiver Mycah Pittman

On the first day of spring practice, Norvell announced Pittman was among six players who would not be participating in spring practices.

A couple of days later, Pittman, who was not observed at practices, revealed he had surgery on a torn labrum and would be out 4-to-6 months, putting into question if he would return this season.

Now the Seminoles are poised to replace two starting receivers from last year: Pittman and Ontaria Wilson, who exhausted his eligibility.

Redshirt junior Winston Wright, who missed all of last season following a car accident, as well as Ja'Khi Douglas have been standouts early in camp.

The speed and quickness Wright showed when he led West Virginia with 63 receptions, 688 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2021 have returned.

Douglas, who had 10 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, has shown a strong ability to run good routes and get open.

Redshirt juniors Kentron Poitier and Darion Williamson have flashed at times and have had good early spring practices.

Another redshirt junior Deuce Spann, as well as freshmen Hykeem Williams and Vandrevius Jacobs, have all shown flashes as well.

Tight end returner Markeston Douglas has had his moments, as have new coming transfers Jaheim Bell and Kyle Morlock.

That is to say while losing Pittman and his blocking skills hurts, FSU has options.

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Newcomers stepping up

Jackson and Edmond have been two of the players who are newcomers who have stood out early. Jackson, an imposing 6-foot-5, 326-pounds has been hard to move around in practice.

Edmond flashed his ability to rush the passer on the first day with pads on.

Bell is consistently getting open for whichever quarterback is performing a drill and flashing his skills. Hykeem Williams has shown why he was a highly-regarded 5-star prospect out of high school.

Quarterback Brock Glenn has impressed coaches, teammates and the media in attendance at practices with his poise and ability to learn the offense as a freshman..

Virginia transfer cornerback Fentrell Cypress has taken over as a leader for the NFL-bound safety Jammie Robinson in the secondary, while freshman defensive back is KJ Kirkland someone Norvell has cited as impressive early on.

Spring practice schedule

  • Monday, March 6 – Spring Practice #1

  • Wednesday, March 8 – Spring Practice #2

  • Friday, March 10 – Spring Practice #3

  • Tuesday, March 21 – Spring Practice #4

  • Thursday, March 23 – Spring Practice #5

  • Saturday, March 25 – Spring Practice #6 (scrimmage closed to media, availability after)

  • Tuesday, March 28 – Spring Practice #7

  • Thursday, March 30 – Spring Practice #8

  • Friday, March 31 – Pro Day

  • Saturday, April 1 – Spring Practice #9 (scrimmage closed to media, availability after)

  • Tuesday, April 4 – Spring Practice #10

  • Thursday, April 6 – Spring Practice #11

  • Tuesday, April 11 – Spring Practice #12

  • Thursday, April 13 – Spring Practice #13

  • Saturday, April 15 – Garnet & Gold Spring Showcase (4 p.m.)

  • Monday, April 17 – Spring Practice #15

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Three takeaways as FSU football set to return to spring football practice