Football is back in the air in Tallahassee as the Florida State Seminoles kicked off their spring practice on March 20, 2025, showcasing their commitment to improving one of the worst offenses in college football. Head coach Mike Norvell conveyed an overall sense of optimism, noting that the passing game during practice was 'clean for the most part,' but acknowledged there remain areas needing attention.
Among the highlights was wide receiver transfer Duce Robinson, who caught the eye of Norvell with his impressive contested catch ability. After a momentary lapse where an unnamed wide receiver dropped a pass, Norvell expressed frustration but was quick to point out that the player rebounded strongly. Following a correction from wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr., the player made a stunning catch on his next attempt, showcasing resilience—something Norvell pointedly noted as essential for a competitive team.
'Had a couple of good coachable moments even with those guys [Duce Robinson and Squirrel White] just about response,' Norvell said. 'There was a dropped pass today that was one that we can't have and the response was of frustration. Coach Harris did a good job with the young man and the next time he was out there it was probably as good of a contested catch as you can possibly have.' Robinson demonstrated this skill during a one-on-one rep against junior cornerback Quindarrius Jones, where he went up to snag a deep ball seemingly thrown by quarterback Thomas Castellanos. 'That's a response,' Norvell emphasized while high-fiving Robinson. 'That's a response.'
In addition to Robinson’s performance, true freshman Kevin Sperry also made an impression, going four for four in his first 7-on-7 outing. Norvell was particularly impressed with Sperry’s rapid adaptation to the game, especially considering he had just flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to Florida State in December. Previously, Sperry had an outstanding senior season, racking up 35 touchdowns while passing for over 2,500 yards and rushing for more than 1,000 yards.
Norvell elaborated on the positions, 'I thought the quarterbacks did a nice job on our first day. Kevin Sperry went out in his first 7-on-7 set, and I think he went four for four. It was impressive to see him hit the ground and going.' The head coach expressed excitement over the competitive dynamic between the quarterbacks, particularly Tomas Castellanos and Brock Glenn, appreciating how they were pushing one another.
'It's a great dynamic, and it's one that is competitive. Both of those guys [Thomas Castellanos and Brock Glenn] are great competitors,' Norvell stated. 'That's a group I'm excited to see the competition just because of the personalities those guys have.' The leadership qualities exhibited by the quarterbacks did not go unnoticed, marking a positive change from the previous season. Their engagement and vocal leadership provided an encouraging backdrop to the current practices.
'They're great young men; they care about who they're getting to do it with, but they are sparks,' Norvell noted. 'I heard the coaching, the encouragement, and the challenge to other positions there today and you felt their personality.' With the foundation being laid during these spring practices, Florida State is eager to capitalize on this momentum.
Looking toward the future, the Seminoles will return to practice again on March 21, 2025, continuing their preparations for the upcoming season, with high hopes of turning the offense into a strength. With a blend of noteworthy transfers and fresh talent, the excitement around the team continues to build.
