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Florida State's Mike Norvell explains what he wants from his wide outs. Here's what he said

Florida State Football returned to the practice fields Sunday morning to begin a new week of practice after Saturday's off day.

FSU coach Mike Norvell opened by discussing how his offense remains a work in progress as he continues to develop more plays and evaluate players. The Seminoles have to replace seven offense starters from last season.

"We're still installing," Norvell said. "I thought, offensively, a few things today that were definitely not as clean as we needed them to be.

"I understand you see a little empathy for the workload and knowledge that's going in, especially for those newcomers who just want more. I thought they responded well."

Norvell discussed what he expects from his wide receivers. With starting jobs open, he talked about the level of competition and execution his receivers still need to show.

" I like that we have some really good young ones," Norvell said. "They will put themselves in a position to potentially help us this year, but, you know, just a lot of competition."

Norvell is all about consistency.

He mentioned Malik Benson (13 receptions, 162 yards, one touchdown last season) and Kentron Poitier (6 receptions, 136 yards last season) and how impressive they have been in the last few days of camp.

He was asked about the progress of sophomore receiver Hykeem Williams. Williams is expected to have a bigger role in FSU's offense. He appeared in four games and had five catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown.

"I think he's close," Norvell said. "And then he played last year as a freshman, so it was like, but it's are you ready to go all that you can in the consistent nature.

"Even when something doesn't go, maybe how you want it to go, or if it's a bad play, where does it go, and what does the response look like? I see some positive steps from him."

FSU DB Omarion Cooper opens up about his return to Florida State

Florida State football and coaches players arrive for the fifth FSU spring football practice of the 2023 season on Thursday, March 30.
Florida State football and coaches players arrive for the fifth FSU spring football practice of the 2023 season on Thursday, March 30.

Defensive back Omarion Cooper's return to FSU felt more like returning home. When re-entered the transfer portal after his one-year stint at Colorado, he knew returning to FSU was the right choice all along.

"I knew where home was, and I knew where the right program that fits me was, too," Cooper said.

The Lehigh Acres native played his two years at FSU before entering the transfer portal for the first time to weigh his options. As a Seminole, he had 30 total tackles, four pass deflections, and three interceptions.

While at Colorado, he started eight of the nine games. He registered 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. He also recorded a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.

Cooper is entering his senior season and will be part of a strong secondary that returns their top two corners Fentrell Cypress II and Azareye'h Thomas, along with All-ACC safety Shyheim Brown. What Cooper brings to the table is his versatility, and he is willing to play any position in the secondary.

"I'm a guy who can play every position," Cooper said. "I just put in the work and wherever I am supposed to be is a fit."

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

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: What Florida State coach Mike Norvell wants from his receivers