FSU football's Mike Norvell thinking of changing more than just QB position vs. Clemson
Florida State football (1-4, 1-3 in ACC) has more than the starting quarterback job in flux.
According to the team's depth chart released Monday the two starting guard spots and the tight ends are also up in the air on offense as the Seminoles prepare for Saturday's home ACC game vs Clemson (3-0, 2-1 in ACC) at 7 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Earlier Monday, FSU coach Mike Norvell announced that starting left guard Richie Leonard IV was out for the season due to an injury.
It will leave an opportunity for redshirt senior Keiondre Jones and redshirt junior Bryson Estes to compete for the left guard spot in place of the Florida transfer.
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Norvell also mentioned that the guard position has been underperforming and wants to see improvement in FSU's front five.
He looks forward to seeing Estes take a step forward as he competes for his first starting job against Jones, who has played right and left guard for the Seminoles after transferring from Auburn.
"Bryson has been in the program for a long time. He had an injury coming out of spring, basically missed the majority of fall camp, and so he had to — he's had to work himself back into it," Norvell said.
On the right side, Andre' Otto will compete with TJ Ferguson, who came from Alabama and has been in the lineup at both the left and right guard spots.
Otto showed potential during fall camp and saw action for the first time during the SMU game.
"Those guys are going to push for opportunity, and we've got to go get better, and I thought Andre, he's still young and still growing in a lot of areas, but I mean, you felt his presence," Norvell said.
"He moves well. He plays with physicality. That's with those guys, every chance they get to step on that field, they have to go play confident, play fast, and be able to transition those techniques and fundamentals that they work on in the course of action."
The offensive line has been shaken up all year. The combination of injuries to tackles Darius Washington and Jeremiah Byers played a part in the different lineup changes.
Alex Atkins, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, has yet to identify his starting five.
“It's still trying to find the best five out there because if one mistake happens on the inside, the O-line looks bad," Atkins noted.
"It's just really putting guys in there who are showing improvements. But I think as Darius has gotten healthier, JB starting to take steps to get healthier and play more plays, that does assist in getting us back to what we think we should be.”
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Mike Norvell believes the FSU tight ends 'have to be better'
The tight end spot has also been a disappointment and needs to be addressed, according to Norvell.
Kyle Morlock has struggled to secure catches ever since he took the starting job.
In the third quarter of the SMU game, Morlock juggled a pass catch in the third quarter that led to an interception. He has yet to score a touchdown and has eight catches for 107 yards this season.
"That's a position where we have to be better," Norvell said during his presser.
"I've got confidence and belief in Kyle. I do, and you look at a year ago for the percentage of opportunities, targets, catches, and guys making the play, he was as good as anybody we had. And we had some really, really good pass receivers last year."
"This year, there's been some struggles. There's been some tough moments. There's been — that was obviously a huge play in the game, and there's nobody more disappointed than Kyle. But right now, it still comes down to production and execution, so the doors of opportunity are there; guys have to take advantage of that."
Morlock will have to rebuild the trust while earning back the TE1 role.
Brian Courtney and Landen Thomas are listed as co-starters in this week's depth chart against Clemson. Thomas, a true freshman, scored his first touchdown on a 20-yard pass late in the third quarter.
"Obviously really happy for Landen to be able to get that first touchdown," Norvell said.
"You can go through the game, and there are still some things that he's going to have to take some great strides in to continue to be what I know he's capable of."
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FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 20-12
Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal* | 7 p.m.| ESPN2 (Fubo) Won 14-9
Saturday, Sept. 28: at SMU* | 8 p.m. EST | ACC Network Lost 42-16
Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 8 Miami*
Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina*
Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 14 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo, Peacock)
Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
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.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football has more than just No. 1 QB spot up in the air
