Young players earn praise during Florida State football's first scrimmage

Wayne McGahee III
Tallahassee Democrat

Florida State coach Mike Norvell came away from the Seminoles' first scrimmage very impressed with a number of players. 

Among those players mentioned were quite a few first or second-year players.

He started in the secondary with former Madison County standout Travis Jay, while also mentioning sophomore Renardo Green, and redshirt freshman Jarvis Brownlee. Jay and Green are both working at free safety.

"I think Jarvis Brownlee is someone I want to mention," Norvell said. 

"He’s done a remarkable job, especially this last week. Special teams, obviously what he’s doing, defensively, I think he’s just getting better and better with each moment."

Brownlee has been all over defensive coordinator Adam Fuller's Twitter during the first week of fall camp. His "Mission Takeaway" tweets celebrate the players that force turnovers on defense, and Brownlee has brought down multiple interceptions. 

Fuller had high praise for three true freshmen in the front seven as well.

Defensive end Josh Griffis and linebackers Stephen Dix Jr. and D.J. Lundy are all players that Fuller has high expectations for this season. He also mentioned defensive end T.J. Davis.

"(Griffis) is mature enough and strong enough that he’s going to help us. He is going to play good football," Fuller said.

"There’s two linebackers that are playing good football right now in DJ Lundy and Stephen Dix. I think they will both play for us. I think they both have bright futures... Stephen was here in the spring. DJ just got here, but he has the skill and he is the right type of player that we’re looking for here at linebacker.... 

"The guys that are starting to separate themselves some right now, but linebacker we’ve got some older guys. That position has the opportunity for playing time early. You know Josh coming in as a defensive end, we needed depth there. So more there opportunity in their skill and their work is coming together for a little bit of opportunities right now."

On offense, Norvell wasn't light in his praise for a number of skill position players, especially at the running back position.

The Seminoles have five new running backs, and three of them – Lawrance Toafili, Corey Wren, and Ja'Khi Douglas – are true freshman. JUCO transfer La'Damian Webb is just a sophomore. 

Norvell was very impressed with what he saw from that group, as well as redshirt sophomore Jashaun Corbin, who is in his first season at FSU.

"I think all the young backs, I thought had good moments," Norvell said. 

"Lawrance (Toafili) had a really big play in the open field, which was good to kind of see him, he’s been coming along. You see the talent, see the flash, but to see that in a game-like situation was great. Corey Wren had a big catch, and then Ja’Khi, those guys are really young and talented players.

"I think Jashaun is, this is a really good offense that’s going to fit him. La’Damian Webb has been wonderful throughout this camp. We definitely have a home-run guy in him."

Norvell was also very excited for true freshman wide receiver Darion Williamson, who had a big touchdown catch during the scrimmage. 

Williamson wasn't able to play most of his high school season after tearing his ACL, but running backs coach David Johnson pushed for him during the recruiting process. Williamson was able to show some of the reason for that during his first scrimmage.

"I tell you what, Darion Williamson had a big touchdown play on a perimeter throw, which was nice to see," Norvell said. 

"You got to see the skill he has with the ball in his hands."

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Freshman punter Alex Mastromanno earned praise from both Norvell and special teams coordinator John Papuchis for his play during the scrimmage.

Mastromanno is still adjusting to American football, but his progress had both coaches excited.

"I’ll tell you, Alex Mastromanno had, for his first night in a scrimmage situation, did a remarkable job," Norvell said. 

"Sometimes you get fresh young guys and you see how they respond, and I thought he really showed up at a high level tonight. He had some great punts in our punt periods of what we’re trying to do."

Some of the older players that stepped up in the scrimmage were defensive tackle Robert Cooper, safety Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, defensive ends Josh Kaindoh, Janarius Robinson, and Deonte Williams, a Baylor transfer, on defense.

"I think (Williams) had a quarterback sack or two here tonight, which was good to see the newcomer come in and play well," Norvell said. 

"But we’ll go back and be able to watch a lot more film, but those were some names that I thought really stood out."

Norvell and offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham didn't mention specifics about how the quarterbacks or offensive line played individually, though both coaches said there were bright spots for both units. They will be reviewing the film of the scrimmage to get a better idea of who played well.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jordan Young and redshirt junior Tamorrion Terry both earned praise from Norvell. Young was praised for his work overall during the first week of camp. 

Norvell said Terry was limited in some aspects, but still made his presence felt when he was on the field.

"I think all those guys are coming along, and we’re just trying to bring them along to where they can gain more confidence in what they’re being asked to do and just continue to develop," Norvell said.

Reach Wayne McGahee III at wmcgahee@tallahassee.com or follow him on Twitter @WayneMcGaheeIII

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