TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State football team donned full pads for the first time this spring during Saturday’s practice at the Albert J. Dunlap Training Facility.
The Seminoles enjoyed a long, physical session in what was the third practice since kicking off the spring portion on Wednesday.
Head Coach Jimbo Fisher said the team has improved after he was critical following the first practice, but stressed that the Noles still need to get better.
“They are getting there,” Fisher said. “I am going to call it out day by day, it ain’t coach talk, it ain’t ploys, I am going to call it the way it is. We have to do it every day. First day was bad, second day was much better, today was okay. We drifted at the end, I think the heat and the pads got to them a little bit, but we have to learn to condition. Fourth quarter drills are good, but you have to learn to play in pads, running in pads is a whole different deal.
“Some good things and some bad things on the day, we still have a lot of work to do and a lot of room to get better.”
Florida State returns 17 starters this season, including defensive backs Derwin James, Trey Marshall and Marquez White. James, a rising sophomore, had the third-most tackles (91) by true freshman in FSU history in the fall, while White, a rising senior, proved to be a lockdown cornerback opposite All-American Jalen Ramsey. Marshall is arguably the hardest hitter on the team and started six games at safety and nickel back before an injury sidelined his season. Those three along with rising senior safety Nate Andrews (14 career starts) are expected to lead the secondary and replace some of the leadership and production from Ramsey, who could be selected No. 1 in April’s NFL Draft.
As always, Fisher reiterated that every position is open, especially in the defensive backfield – which could be the Noles’ deepest position group.
“Depends on if they want to be complacent or if they want to get better,” Fisher said about returning starters. “Remembering why you are here, to get better. Just because you started and played last year doesn’t mean you are going to play again. It all depends on your attitude.”
Rising sophomores Tavarus McFadden, Marcus Lewis, A.J. Westbrook and Calvin Brewton are also getting plenty of reps and looking to make an impact during the spring after each saw playing time as reserves and on special teams in the fall.
*** Courtesy FSU Athletics
