Florida State’s coaches wanted to simulate a game week as well as aspects of a road trip during their stay in Jacksonville. With some work still to do on Saturday before departing the University of North Florida campus, coach Mike Norvell feels good about the goals and what the practices mean for the big picture of a team with more than 60 new players.

“Really treated this week almost like a game week. You come out, you get two more practices,” Norvell said on Friday. “Yes, there's installation. Yes, there's things, situations we're trying to put guys in. Tomorrow will be a lighter day, and then we'll crank it up and go work to be our best (Sunday). I want to see the application from this football team to go and put on display what they ultimately want to be."

FSU will hold its second scrimmage of preseason camp on Sunday night inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

On Tuesday night, after FSU’s first scrimmage, Norvell said quarterback Ashton Daniels had a good “command” of the offense. Norvell was asked Friday about Daniels protecting the football. That was an issue for Daniels in 2024 at Stanford, when he had an ACC-leading 12 interceptions, although he had just two in four games in 2025 at Auburn.

Norvell said there was one miscue Daniels had on Thursday, with the coach remarking “I got pretty animated.” But Norvell said for the most part he’s been happy with Daniels’ ability to avoid turnovers and making the right decisions.

“He's been outstanding when it comes to knowing where to go with the ball, his ownership of the things we're asking him to do,” Norvell said. “I would say it would challenge as good as what I've seen. Just the way that he's gone about that.”

Gelsey taking a step forward in year 2

Tae’Shaun Gelsey was often viewed as a tight end / big receiver in high school. He picked FSU in large part because he wanted to be a receiver. After playing in just four games in 2025 to preserve his redshirt, Gelsey said he worked to prepare himself to be in the rotation this fall. Building confidence to know he could compete at the college level was a top priority, and now he sees himself as a versatile option.

“Another goal I had going into the summer was being able to play wherever - boundary, field, it really doesn't matter,” Gelsey said. “Just being able to get the job done at any spot they put me at.”

Gelsey was praised by offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. on Wednesday as an under-the-radar receiver. At 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, Gelsey presents a target with a good catch radius for Daniels. Gelsey said he feels good, so far, about how he has performed in camp.

“Of course I got a high standard for myself,” Gelsey said. “I feel like I could do better. I put some great things on tape, and I'm going to continue to do that.”

Preseason honor for Panikowski

FSU’s Gabe Panikowski is one of 35 kickers on the Lou Groza Award watch list, which was announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Friday.

A fifth-year player, Panikowski was a first-team All-American at Idaho State in 2024. He made 15 of 15 field-goal attempts, including a 55-yarder.

Four Seminoles have won the Groza Award: Sebastian Janikowski (1998 and 1999). Graham Gano (2008) and Roberto Aguayo (2013).

Challenging the Seminoles

Norvell relayed that Jordan Travis, who is now touring the state and producing a podcast for the boosters, spoke with the team after a Jacksonville practice.

“He pointed that in his years, every year, he could get a great sense of what the team was going to be based off this trip,” Norvell said.

Coming up

FSU will scrimmage inside Doak on Sunday night. The team will be off Monday before practices Tuesday-Thursday.

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