Florida State's Odell Haggins embraces physicality, but here's what he wants for D-line
Florida State football ended its first week of preseason practice in shoulder pads Friday.
However, for Odell Haggins, the Seminoles' associate head coach and defensive tackles coach, contact and physicality are the last things on his mind for his interior group.
Haggins' main focus this week was to have his defensive linemen playing fundamentally sound football while matching its physicality.
"We're a physical front, and I like that they've been working hard," Haggins said.
"Coach (Josh) Storm did an amazing job with them, getting them in shape and getting them bigger and stronger. Now, we just have to keep them in shape and work on fundamentals."
The Seminoles' defensive front is expected to be their strength, with Darrell Jackson and Joshua Farmer, former stars at Gadsden High School, leading the interior.
When asked about Farmers and what he sees in the senior, Haggins, who is in his 31st season with the Seminoles, pointed out coaching the younger group and improving mental reps off the field.
"One thing I look forward to anything when we are off the football is that he is leading and trying to help the guys like Jamorie Flagg and D.D Holmes," Haggins said.
"Also, he is getting better as a football player, understanding what we want in the classroom. That's the thing. We want him to keep growing in the classroom."
Farmer started 13 games last season. He recorded 32 tackles, including 7.0 for loss with 5.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He was second-team All-ACC.
Haggins also has high hopes for Jackson as he talked about the attributes he brings to FSU's defensive scheme.
Jackson, a Gadsden High grad, was forced to sit out all last year due to NCAA transfer rules after his departure in Miami. He made his first appearance during the Capital One Orange Bowl. He recorded three tackles and a 0.5 sack that game.
"It was hard for him because we expected him to play, and they told him at the last minute that he couldn't play," Haggins said. "It was hard on him, but with the staff we have, like Coach (Mike) Norvell, Randy Shannon, Adam Fuller. We put it all on him and let him know that we are family. Keep working"
Florida State wide receiver Malik Benson focuses on consistency, connecting with quarterbacks
FSU wide receiver Malik Benson has shown promise to be the go-to target on offense. Benson said his biggest improvements are consistency and staying on top of his routes and releases.
While he flashed throughout the spring and last two preseason practices, Benson was still adjusting to learning the plays and building chemistry with quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
"When I first came here, it was a little bit harder at first, but with things like that, you just have to work and be better at it," Benson said.
Benson believed the key to staying in sync with his quarterbacks is more of what they do off the field than on the field. Benson connected with both Uiagalelei and Brock Glenn throughout the offseason.
"During the spring, we were hanging out. In the summertime, we were hanging out. You can kind of see that. The closer we are, the better our connection."
Benson was the No. 1 JUCO player out of Hutchinson Community College before signing at Alabama. With the Crimson Tide, he started six of the 14 games last year. He recorded 13 catches, 162 yards and one TD.
When asked about his expectations as a highly touted receiver, he said he wanted to focus on having fun and being a team leader. He also doesn't let the pressure distract him as he enters his senior year at FSU.
"I don't really look at it as pressure just because I work super hard to get to this point to where I am," Benson said. "I know I can't let the hype get to you, so I just have to keep doing what I'm doing each day."
Florida State football schedule 2024
Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at Noon p.m., 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: FSU football D-line coach expects more than physicality for his front
