There were days in the spring where Florida State’s offensive coaches wore their frustration. With so many injuries on the offensive line, it was tough to take steps forward and gauge progress.
And there was no way to build continuity with a group that would include four transfers, ones who had years of experience at previous schools but needed on-field time together at FSU. Now, with bodies healed up, coaches are seeing what the line can accomplish.
“I’m really excited for what the group can continue to develop and be,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said on Monday. “I think we got size. We got guys that can create movement and create space. Now it’s just the finer details.”
Offensive tackle Micah Pettus was among the linemen who missed time in the spring, saying he was practicing each day but “didn’t do every single thing.” While it’s only been five practices, FSU’s offensive line has the time to build continuity.
“I feel like we’re coming together really well,” Pettus said. “A lot of veteran guys, even some of the young guys, coming along, stepping up big today. Offensive line, you need repetition together so you can be on the same accord. I really felt that today. Today was one of our better days.”
The bonus for the Seminoles is they brought in a group of new transfers that has 105 college starts. Center Luke Petitbon (Wake Forest), guard Adrian Medley (UCF) and tackles Micah Pettus (Ole Miss) and Gunnar Hansen (Vanderbilt) have reset the room. Mix in Richie Leonard IV, who now has 17 college starts between Florida and FSU, and the experience factor is significant.
Hansen, Pettus and Leonard have shown what they can do in the SEC, and Medley should have an edge in knowing how offensive line coach Herb Hand and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn want things done. And it’s a group with some very big bodies, from Pettus (349 pounds) to Leonard (329), Hansen (325), Petitbon (310) and Medley (309).
But as Hand said last week before camp opened: ““We have a bunch of guys coming back who have played a lot of football. They just haven’t played a lot of football together. We all know how important that is.”
Norvell feels he is seeing the progress up front, with linemen taking their experience on the field at prior colleges and meshing it with the blocking assignments.
“Our top seven, eight guys, they all have experience under their belt,” Norvell said. “Seeing the way that they’re starting to work together, just the efficiency of communication, of trusting each other, whether it’s pass rush, twist games, different things that you’re going to face. You see a group that’s starting to take some positive steps. I think they’re talented.
“Ultimately, we got to go do it. That’s a hungry group that’s really pushing to establish themselves.”
Offense impresses in practice No. 5
While defenses often have the upper hand in the spring and preseason, and they have familiarity in seeing the offense’s scheme each day, it’s notable to hear of the success the offense was able to generate.
“I felt the offense, for most of practice, was probably one of their best practices that we’ve had since the beginning of spring,” Norvell said. “I really was pleased with a lot of the work that they were able to do.”
Next up: Scrimmage No. 1
FSU will scrimmage inside Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time on Tuesday night, essentially the first time the Seminoles have been on the field in 2025. The renovation of Doak also included a new grass field, which wasn’t complete until the summer.
“I’m excited to go out there and play football,” Pettus said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to go out there and showcase what we got for the first time live. Running specific plays and not just specific down-and-distance things. Go out there and see what we look like and attack the day.”
Norvell admitted holding a scrimmage on what is FSU’s sixth preseason practice is early, he feels it’s a good opportunity considering the limited on-field time coaches are allowed to have with players in June and July.
“It’s probably going to be very base in what we try to ask them to do,” Norvell said. “I want to see them play fast, play with technique, fundamentals. I want to see dominant contact show up and playmakers emerge. Tomorrow night will be a great opportunity for us to see exactly where we are here through six days.”
Coaches’ poll released
FSU will face four teams ranked in the preseason coaches’ poll, which was released on Monday: No. 6 Clemson, No. 8 Alabama, No. 10 Miami and No. 18 Florida. SMU, at No. 16, is the only other ranked ACC team.
The Seminoles’ preseason hype did put them on the minds of some coaches. The Seminoles received eight votes and were considerably lower on the “others receiving votes” section at 48th.
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