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How FSU football's DJ Uiagalelei had his best day in camp, and other notes from practice

It was the first day of full pad practice for Florida State football on Tuesday morning as day six of fall camp turned up the intensity.

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had a strong day, capping of a solid opening week of camp for the Oregon State transfer. Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell has been happy with the progression Uiagalelei has been making within the offense throughout the fall.

"I think DJ has been remarkable," Norvell said. "I really love the ownership that he has in the offense. He's been very consistent in what he's doing and I think the explosiveness he brings is impressive."

It wasn't just Uiagalelei as both Brock Glenn and freshman Luke Kromenhoek had strong moments, with Glenn making some big throws that impressed both Norvell and Uiagalelei.

Here are five things to know from day six of fall camp.

Strong day from Uiagalelei, quarterback room

Florida State football players participate in day one of the Seminoles fall camp at Florida State University on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Florida State football players participate in day one of the Seminoles fall camp at Florida State University on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

It has been a solid start to camp for Uiagalelei. While there was room for improvement after the first few days of practice, the Oregon State transfer has grown in confidence and he put together one of his best practices on Tuesday.

Uiagalelei's passes came out quick and his decision-making was good throughout the day, finding receivers in good spots across the field.

He made some impressive passes in drills and team competition, including one deep touchdown pass to Kentron Poitier that was placed right into his hands. Uiagalelei also found Ja'Khi Douglas for a touchdown on a lofted throw to the end zone that a leaping Douglas brought down in bounds for the score.

The connection between Uiagaleleli and tight-end Kyle Morlock continues to grow and the duo made a couple of nice plays Tuesday in team competition.

"Kyle Morlock is good," Uiagalelei said. "He is a really good tight end. He has strong hands and can catch everything. He runs really good routes and gets separation. He's a big body that runs downfield."

Glenn followed up an impressive day on Monday with another strong showing. He connected with wide receiver Hykeem Williams on a long deep pass down the field in drills against the defensive back, and in team competition he made good reads, running away from pressure and connecting well with wide receiver Jalen Brown.

"Brock is an unbelievable guy and an unbelievable quarterback," Uiagalelei said. "He had a couple of throws today that were amazing, and throughout this fall camp."

While Norvell said Kromenhoek is still making some "freshman" mistakes, he's been very impressed with the development of the first-year signal caller. He made some tight window throws and has not been afraid to take a deep shot if it's open.

An up and down day for the wide receivers

Florida State football players participate in day one of the Seminoles fall camp at Florida State University on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Florida State football players participate in day one of the Seminoles fall camp at Florida State University on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

While the quarterbacks had a good day, the wide receivers were inconsistent at times in maintaining possession and following through on catches.

There were some drops on some passes you would expect to be caught, and the defense was quick to try and jar the ball loose on catches, and they were successful on a handful of occasions. It was an improvement over day five, but there is still a lot of room to grow in the receiving corps ahead of kickoff against Georgia Tech.

Malik Benson continues to impress and make a case for being the top target, and despite one or two mistakes, he was arguably the best receiver during Tuesday's practice. Douglas and Poitier both made an impact in team competition, with Douglas bouncing back after a few tough days of camp.

There are glimpses of promise within the receiving corps, but they still need to find consistency to take the next step.

Cam Riley leads an impressive showing from the linebackers

Florida State football linebacker Shawn Murphy (15) take part in the final Tour of Duty winter workouts ahead of 2024 spring practices on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Florida State football linebacker Shawn Murphy (15) take part in the final Tour of Duty winter workouts ahead of 2024 spring practices on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

While both the defensive line and the secondary have stolen the show in the early portion of fall camp, the linebacker room stepped up for its moment in the spotlight on Tuesday.

Auburn transfer Cam Riley continues to make a quick impression on the field, working through drills with the confidence of a player who has been with the program for a few seasons, not a few months. He made a couple of nice stops in team competition, including a good read on a pass out of the backfield.

"I've really been pleased with the linebacking crew," Norvell said. "I've been pleased with how those guys have worked, they are all playing faster. Cam Riley, I'm very, very excited about what he's shown in the first six days here."

In 1 vs. 1 drills against wide receivers and running backs, there was a stretch of about five reps where defensive coordinator Adam Fuller couldn't stop jumping around in celebration as the linebackers got consecutive stops on the skill position players.

Alabama transfer Shawn Murphy was impressive in the drills, and his performance carried over into the team competition, making some good stops in both run stopping and coverage.

Offensive line, running backs consistently performing

Florida State football players participate in day one of the Seminoles fall camp at Florida State University on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Florida State football players participate in day one of the Seminoles fall camp at Florida State University on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

One of the strengths of last season's Seminoles team was the offensive line and running backs, and it looks to be more of the same this year.

Robert Scott Jr. had a strong showing in pass protection drills and in team competition, and center Maurice Adams was particularly impressive in holding up defensive linemen like Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson, allowing the quarterbacks and running backs time to work.

The holes were opening for players like Lawrance Toafili, Roydell Williams and the rest of the running back room. Toafili showed his versatility, making a few impressive grabs, including one where he got his feet down just in time before going out of bounds.

Both the offensive line and running backs have seemingly worked well off each other, and it could lead to some big plays.

Freshman leaving a mark early in camp

Florida State football players participate in day two of fall pracice at the Albert J. Dunlap center on Friday, July 26, 2024
Florida State football players participate in day two of fall pracice at the Albert J. Dunlap center on Friday, July 26, 2024

It has been an impressive first week of camp for members of the freshman class.

Wide receivers Elijah Moore and Lawayne McCoy continue to move well and make some impressive grabs, with McCoy having back-to-back days with impressive catches in team competition. The pair have a good combination of speed and are able to create space against defensive backs.

Running backs Micahi Danzy, Kam Davis and tight end Amaree Williams have been three of the biggest offensive standouts, with Danzy showing his speed nearly every practice with a big run or catch. Davis has been consistent, working well in both the passing game and on the ground.

Williams has not looked out of place, blocking well when asked to do so and flashing his hands with some good catches that have led to some chunk plays.

Defensively, lineman D'Nas White has been disruptive in team competition, stuffing the run a few times Tuesday and drawing praise from both Norvell and Fuller.

Defensive backs Charles Lester III and Ricky Knight continue to grow in their position, both players joined in the spring, and Norvell has been impressed with the growth of his young corners. Lester had a few pass breakups in drills, including one where he ripped the ball out of Williams's hand in the endzone.

Florida State football schedule 2024

  • Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN

  • Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN

  • Sept. 14 vs. Memphis

  • Sept. 21 vs. California

  • Sept. 28 at SMU

  • Oct. 5 vs. Clemson

  • Oct. 18 at Duke

  • Oct. 26 at (U) Miami

  • Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina

  • Nov. 9 at Notre Dame

  • Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern

  • Nov. 30: Florida

  • Dec. 7: ACC Championship

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football fall camp: DJ Uiagalelei has his best day yet