Mike Norvell praises offensive performance in last FSU scrimmage of spring: “Big plays vertically, run game was able to get established”

Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida State closed its final full-contact workout of the spring Saturday with an offensive outburst that head coach Mike Norvell labeled the best of the 15-practice slate, a stark contrast to the defense’s commanding display seven days earlier.

Speaking to reporters via Zoom, Norvell said the unit “answered the challenge” by stringing together consistent execution against multiple defensive looks. The Seminoles produced two 90-plus-yard touchdown drives from deep in their own territory, highlighted by a vertical strike from wide receiver Devin Carter that jump-started one of the marches. The ground game, largely quiet last weekend, found traction behind an offensive line that worked in concert and a running-back room Norvell praised for fighting for every yard.

“We saw big plays vertically, I thought the run game was able to get established,” Norvell said. “Running backs ran hard, O-line played well together.”

Receiver EJ White, returning from a two-week leg issue, logged his first full day of work and earned Norvell’s endorsement for his conditioning and productivity. True freshman Duce Robinson’s snap count was intentionally scaled back to give other pass-catchers extended evaluation, a decision that paid dividends across the depth chart.

Consistency, not splash, was the day’s theme. “To see them put together consistently putting plays together versus different looks — that’s what you want,” Norvell noted.

The practice concluded with a ferocious goal-line period that featured 19 consecutive reps. The offense narrowly claimed the session 10-8, powered by downhill runs from tailback Ousmane Kromah. Both lines traded blows: the defensive front shot gaps for penetration, while the offense countered with power looks that devolved into “a scrum … everybody pushing, fighting for leverage.” Quarterbacks cashed in on condensed-space throws, maximizing limited windows for scores.

On the other side of the ball, safety Jordan Crutchfield intercepted a pass in a two-minute drill, edge rusher Jalen Anderson notched a sack, and linebacker Karon Maycock continued a strong spring with multiple impactful plays.

The quarterback derby between Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry remains unresolved heading into Monday and Wednesday’s final workouts. Norvell insisted a summer-long competition would not derail preseason prep, citing the staff’s intimate knowledge of each passer after 13 spring practices. Both signal-callers showcased command of fresh concepts installed this week, extending plays with their legs and making sound decisions under duress.

“You always have a plan for what guys have shown that they are most confident in,” Norvell said. “I feel confident that we’ve got the people in place, the schemes in place — we can be very, very successful.”

With only two practices left before the team disperses for the summer, Norvell stressed that every rep is a referendum on fall positioning. “We need to see ascension,” he said. “If guys want to be in that front line — well, you’ve got to go earn the front-line reps through your action.”

Florida State will return to the practice fields Monday for its penultimate spring session, intent on polishing Saturday’s mistakes before setting the baseline for preseason camp.