Energy, Speed, and Emerging Playmakers
Florida State kicked off fall camp with its first full-pads scrimmage on the evening of August 5, 2025 inside Doak Campbell Stadium, though inclement weather eventually forced the action indoors. Head coach Mike Norvell praised the team’s emotional energy and intensity, saying, “you felt guys playing emotional, with energy, excitement.”
Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, in his debut season, noted that the offense started hot—benefiting from defensive mistakes and allowing coaches to evaluate players now nearing full health. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos earned mention for his leadership and execution, with Norvell calling his effort “one of the best days” of camp so far.
Standouts on Offense and Defense
Norvell complimented deep plays connecting with wide receivers like Duce Robinson, and highlighted tight ends Randy Pittman, Amaree Williams, and Markeston Douglas for making meaningful contributions early in scrimmage drills.
Defensively, standout performances came from James Williams, Jaden Jones, Earl Little, and Edwin Joseph—noted for sacks and pass breakups. Still, Norvell was quick to point out a missed interception that turned into a touchdown, reinforcing the need to finish plays in the secondary
Discipline Needs Refinement
Defensive coordinator Tony White expressed concern over mental mistakes, particularly penalties that extended drives or flipped field position. Unsportsmanlike conduct, misalignments, and offsides were cited as costly errors that must be cleaned up in the weeks ahead.
What’s Next for the Seminoles
With the season opener against Alabama just ageday away, Norvell stressed the importance of discipline in the coming week. He sees the scrimmage as a benchmark for fundamentals—speed, technique, and physicality—while also using it to finalize the depth chart and elevate cohesion across units.
Fan Takeaways: Biggest Win Exiting Scrimmage
Reflecting on ChopChat’s question—“What was the biggest win for FSU football exiting its first fall scrimmage?”—many fans on social media responded that the emergence of young playmakers and the readiness of key offensive contributors stood out above all, especially amid a strong overall performance from the offense.
