CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mike Norvell would probably prefer to deflect as many of the 2024 questions as possible. The focus, of course, is on the 2025 season ahead, a camp that opens in a week and an SEC opponent that should be ranked in the top 25 of the preseason polls.
But the balance for Norvell is taking the learning lessons from losses and illustrating where the Seminoles have a stronger resolve in how the team went about the day to day of its offseason.
“What the ’23 team did is not going to affect ’25 team,” Norvell said. “What the ’24 team did is not going to affect the ’25. We've got to go be who we are.”
Who the Seminoles are is a team coming off a miserable 2-10 season but also one that feels it will make a considerable jump in improving the win-loss record in 2025. While Norvell tried to downplay connections to a successful team from 2023 and a dysfunctional team from 2024, the good and bad experiences shape who the veteran Seminoles are going into 2025.
A big part of why Norvell and the players are more confident? It’s evident in part by who Norvell selected to attend the ACC Kickoff event, bringing a charismatic leader in quarterback Tommy Castellanos but also three returning players in defensive tackle Darrell Jackson, safety Earl Little Jr. and offensive guard Richie Leonard IV who are quiet leaders by nature. But now they feel more comfortable speaking up given they have more time in the program and stronger relationships with teammates.
“I don't want a team full of sidekicks,” Norvell said. “I want guys that are willing to grasp it, to hold it, to push it, to step for it and to go be it, and that's what's needed. And that's what I believe I'm seeing within this football team.”
While the flaws of the 2024 team are numerous, a lack of leadership and holding players accountable are at the top of the discussion.
“A year ago, we did a lot more forced team building. There was a reason (for that),” Norvell said. “And this year, I don't think we had to as much, but we still had opportunities to be able to have connection — for them to enjoy the process, who they're getting to do it with.
“This is a team, I think, that genuinely enjoys who they're getting to do it with. And I think that allows a heightened sense of work, investment, care and passion for all of what's making up this team. And that gets me excited.”
It’s one thing to talk. Or to back up the words on the field. But Norvell sees veterans taking newcomers under their belt. That mentoring, teaching from the 20-somethings and learning from the teenagers, is a bond that is built and strengthened throughout the offseason with dividends that should pay off during preseason camp and the football season.
“We've got guys that they're willing to pour into each other,” Norvell said. “And when it's time to say something, you see a great response, and a heightened sense of accountability from the guys that are even speaking.”
The influence of new coordinators
Norvell spoke on Wednesday about how his day to day has changed in hiring Gus Malzahn, who has taken on the offensive coordinator role and acclimating the Seminoles to the new system. This has allowed Norvell more “flexibility” in his day-to-day schedule, opening up time to connect more on a one-on-one basis with players than before when he was head coach and the team’s offensive coordinator.
Without going into details, Malzahn has offered thoughts and perspectives from his time as a head coach at Auburn and UCF to help FSU implement some changes in 2025.
“Gus and all the experiences that he's had, a guy that’s been a head coach,” Norvell said. “It brings another perspective. His focus right now is our offense and all the things that we're doing there, and be able to put our position, our players, in the best position to be successful.
“But he's also made some great suggestions, thoughts, different perspectives, to be able to continue to push all of what we're doing.”
Norvell said Tony White has also been vocal in sharing his experiences as a defensive coordinator at Syracuse and Nebraska.
“Tony has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the country,” Norvell said. “He's been multiple places. He's seen a lot of different things. He's got his beliefs of things that have been done.
“And these guys have come in, and they've jumped into our program. And as we continue to build this together, I've got a very strong belief of what it has to look like.”
Injury report
Norvell offered a few updates on FSU players ahead of the start of camp. The biggest question is the status of defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins, a Tennessee transfer who missed the spring due to injury. Norvell is encouraged by his timeline to hit the field and participate in an FSU practice for the first time.
“He's progressing extremely well,” Norvell said. “He's probably farther ahead than most would have expected him (to be) at this point. I am expecting to get really good work out of him probably midway point through fall camp.”
Norvell didn’t mention any other Seminoles by name, but he stated “there might be a couple one offs that might be limited when we start up with fall camp.”
Key upcoming dates
The start of FSU football camp is a week away, on July 30. That’s as expected with the Seminoles facing Alabama a month later on Aug. 30 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
FSU football players will report on Tuesday, with Norvell and the assistant coaches taking part in interviews with the media that day, too.
Thanks for reading the Osceola. We’ll have more from interviews on Wednesday at ACC Kickoff later in the day. Subscribe here
