FSU Football | Mike Norvell | 2024 Season Preview Press Conference

being here it's uh good to be back in gameweek and uh you very excited uh about you know being able to kick off uh you the college football season um really proud of our guys and all the work they put in you throughout the offseason uh program um you know obviously going into into the summer you know spring practice summer you know here in Fall Camp I thought it was very productive I thought our guys competed at a very high level um you know we have a lot of um you a lot of guys that have we've seen tremendous steps and tremendous growth and guys that are that I'm excited to watch you know go take another step in their career and and have an opportunity to put on display you know just uh you who they are what they're all about and and ultimately uh continue to to showcase the uh the identity of what this Florida Florida State football team is all about and uh you know it's uh it's been one that's worked really hard um and you know we're I think we got great size speed explosiveness and uh you know now it's it's time to it's time to go kick it off and to be able to do so um you know in the first game you this season is is definitely a tremendous honor uh you know having game day there um and we got a tremendous uh you history and pass with with game day uh you being the first you know on campus uh show and now being their first uh you International show um it's it's definitely a wonderful platform uh you a great uh great stage for our guys that they they've worked hard for and have earned you know you throughout uh what they've been able to do and accomplish and so you know we're we're all excited about the week ahead you know we're still have uh uh we have a very important week in preparation um you were playing a very talented and experienced Georgia Tech team they got a lot of respect for uh you I think Coach K has done a wonderful job you as coaching staff you know they've uh uh really done a a great job of U you know being able to build the the confidence and showcase the the skills and abilities of some very talented players you know uh throughout this this last year and you see the the potential that they have as they as they're continuing on their ascent and so we know it's going to be a great matchup but you'll for us it's it's it's all focused on the seminal and that's what we're going to be that's what we're going to be uh uh you know you tuned into this week you know making sure that our discipline our details and you know overall putting ourselves in a best position to execute you know come Saturday but uh really really proud of the work that our guys have put into this point it it has I mean you know and we try to we try to measure all metrics you know of of you know all the comparables that we can to see the growth to see the uh the Improvement you know the size the speed and that's something that's held true uh it's been you know the most explosive uh you know you know fall camp that we've had uh the work the the workload I mean the player load that our guys have have poured into it you know the number of you know top speeds that we've hit I mean all have been you know you know highs for for our time being here and so um you that's and like I tell our players and that's a compliment to them it's a compliment to coach storms our strength conditioning athletic training nutrition Everybody Plays a part in that growth and development and uh you know what what I like is that I'm seeing guys that are growing in their confidence of what they're being asked to do uh you from a schematic aspect you know the the the techniques the fundamentals uh to be able to Showcase all of the all of the work that they've uh they' poured into physically so uh you like I said I'm excited about this group and really looking forward to seeing them uh you know be able to play and apply that you know there in the in the Moment of Truth coach I was wondering if you had an update on Alex Atkinson's suspension and if he won't be on the sideline what your contingency plans are yeah you know Alex he will not will not be uh you available there on game day um so we we're going to go through a normal week of practice uh you know we will um you know obviously everything leading up but on game day you know he he will not be with us and uh um you we've got a plan in place you know we've kind of implemented you know the plan you know throughout our scrimmage opportunities you know here in in Fall Camp um you know Alex done a done a wonderful job and continues to do a great job in in helping prepare you know our players and all things and uh uh you know coach fertita we kind of take over that role you know there on on Game Day game day operation a lot of confidence in him and and what he what he brings and is what he has brought to our program over the last few years and uh you know it's going to be a you as smooth of a transition as as we can have it you know there on game day and uh like I said we've kind of been preparing for that here these these last few scrimmages but uh you that that'll be theep status uh the Georgia Tech DC was at Duke last year do you guys kind of expect to see a similar scheme to what you saw against Duke last year and what benefit does the team have from already playing against that well you know I mean obviously every when you play against really good coaches and you know I definitely think that Tyler's a really good coach and he does a a wonderful job you you they will mix their personnel they they'll be able to mix what they do schematically to the guys that they have and so um you know we've yes we've done a lot of studying on on uh you know what they did at Duke a year ago but we also know that when you see the amount of Versatility that he can deploy that there's there's a u you know there's a wide wide variety of options of what we might see and so uh you know for us it's it's you know making sure that we play with our eyes we can adapt we can adjust you we trust our rules and and the things that that we do uh you against you know whatever scheme that might show up but uh you know a lot of respect for him and and just the job that he does but you know also how he Ties That to uh uh to the to the person personel and and the uh the players that he has you know there at Georgia Tech you know you look I mean there they have a good number of of returners but they also have some guys that have transferred in uh that I think are are you know really talented players that are are joining that defense and so um I know he'll have a great plan in place as we as we kick it off with the Specialists you return uh kickoff returners you return who you brought in and then just the depth and talent of of the roster what are the expectations for special teams this season you that it's it's a it's a a very critical factor for us and you know offensively defensively got a lot of confidence what that be what that would be but you know I think if you look at a group that has a chance to um you know really you know you know push us forward it is our special teams units and uh you know with with Ryan with Alex you know with you talk about the returners you know you duke span last year you we had a huge kickoff return uh you know there in against Duke uh that was one of the spark plays you know for us in the season um you know obviously jayen Lucas and he he brings a great Dynamic you know different guys Malik Benson lne McCoy all guys that I think can can serve as uh you really good you know Dynamics in a return game uh you know I think our our coverage units are something that's got to be uh they have to be huge for us those are ID identity type units for us and um you know we put a lot of time and investment into our special teams and you know we want that to be uh you know one of those uh you know key focuses of this team as as we're able to move forward you you've talked a good bit this offseason about your belief that the offensive line can be a strength of this team we saw the first St chart I think they're 12 guys on there no one repeating at any spots I guess what what's it been like seeing the transformation of that unit from from when you got here to where it is now no I think it's great and you know it's I think it's a big compliment to Alex Atkins you know and his his you know staff that he has with there at the offensive line I mean just growth development um you know great evaluations you know guys that have come in and worked their tails off um and you really bought into what we've you know what we've done and um you know when you look at guys that that have been here you know Maurice you know Darius Rob Scott got you know it's great getting Rob Robb back in the uh in the mix um you know and you with with all the experience that he has I mean those guys I mean they were I mean they were really young you know there four years ago and uh when when they had to go through some very challenging experiences tough times and but you they've grown through it and they they've stayed the course and I think have really done a remarkable job uh you know guys that we've been able to bring in that uh you have been Wonder wonderful uh uh you complimentary pieces you know having JB here you know last year you started every game there at the right tackle spot um you know KJ who got a lot of who got a lot of work you know and then bringing in guys like uh like Richie and TJ you know Andre Otto I've been so very pleased with you know I think our young tackles you know with Lucas and Jaylen I mean those guys uh they're they're all pushing and uh you know it's exciting to see that group you know Bryson est's another guy that's been here for a long time was a little was limited in the beginning of fall camp but you know was really coming on strong here uh you know this last week and a half since he's been back so I mean I think we have as good a depth as we've had and I think that front line group I mean has really got a chance to uh to be one of the strengths of this team go you mentioned about um your death and you you were saying in the beginning of the Season that this might be the deepest team that have you been around with just how much it is important for you to have it in display this coming season and no Saturday yeah I think it's huge I mean you know there's a a lot of competition and you know obviously everybody's working to Define their role and you know what you do in practice you know what you do in your scrimmage your opportunities is kind of kind of put you in the best position on a day in and day out basis and you know the thing that I'm I'm excited to see is you know as we get as we build up to to kick off there on Saturday it's about being able to apply it in the moment um you know it's it's the greatest thing about the game of football is there's so few game opportunities that you get to get a chance to play so you've got to you got to show up with your best in that moment and you know I think we're going to have you know very quality depth I think we're have guys are going to be able to go out there and make an impact uh but it's still it's going to come down to the discipline it's going to come down to the details and uh you with that depth we should be able to play with with a Relentless style approach uh You'll Play in and play out because you if you do need uh you to to to get a break for for a couple plays and we're going to have somebody that that can bring that same type of mentality and effort um you know you know there at your spot and so you guys are still still pushing to to continue to Define what that is but you know obviously there'll be some things that they're going to wait till Saturday to see how guys perform there in the moment in your opening you talked about guys who made big strides who are some of the guys that made the biggest strides for you well you know I think it's been uh you know it's was a wide variety of them I mean I know you look at um defensively I mean aari Thomas is a guy that I know has talk been talked a lot about but you know he was one that you last year was our third corner and you know now has kind of jumped into that role of of you know now being one of the starting Corners I think him and fentrell have both done an outstanding job throughout the off season uh you know really done some remarkable things I think shyen Brown is is you know almost night and day uh you compared to where he was a year ago in just his overall understanding and you know the the the coverage ability the physicality the things that he's wanted to grow in you know seeing that ownership um you know has really been remarkable I think you when you look at the the defensive front you know we we got great confidence in that in that uh uh that foring unit but I mean guy like Daniel Lions I think has just really come along uh I really like the depth of that defensive tackle position but Daniel's been a guy that's played these last you know few years some you know sparingly but you know I think he's really uh pushing himself to to take another step linebacker position uh you know you got guys like Blake Nicholson you know DJ Lundy who's now who's kind of been that third linebacker that is now you know the probably the leader of that group and I think he's going to BR be just a you know really Dynamic player for us and what he can do but you know juice CER you know guys like I mean have taken some really nice uh some some nice strides you know for us you know offensively um you know I think Kyle Morlock he's a guy that I think has has really got a chance to to be a a great weapon for us and you know you you look at him you know where he was a year ago um he came in and played you coming you know from a smaller school um you know was very productive in what he was asked to do but now you see the confidence really taking it to another level uh you know as as you know he understands and and the and has seen the improvements uh whether it's in the route game or or you know in the blocking game of how he's grown you know I think that uh you know he's really got a chance to be a great player for us I think the receiver position just as we've gone through fall Camp uh the this last week was probably the best week we've had um you know just in seeing that group consistently showing up and be able to making plays and doing the little things and you could see their confidence that's growing and I do think we're going to have a uh a great group that we're going to be able to run out there and uh you know be able to uh to attack in a variety of different ways and and then you know just uh we've already mentioned up front but I mean the running back position you know guys like Sam Singleton um you know I think has really done a wonderful job you know Cam Davis you know as somebody I expect to play for us um you know you know and to be able to be a part of that uh that running back rotation and you know obviously with with with uh you know LT and royell and just that group I mean I think it can be a really special unit for us so I've been excited about you know a lot of guys that have have kind of emerged but it's been fun to see some of these you know younger guys that have been in the program that are taking those those real positive steps and um you know you see that in the defensive back field too even with some of those younger you know Corners like you know Quinn uh you know Conrad husty I think has taken some great great shot rols that some I do think is going to be able to help us and uh you know I'm just excited about that group coach I think DJ's played in close to 50 games in his career you've had him for over like nearly 35 practices now um I guess just how familiar are you guys with each other and as a coach is it is there ever like a surprise the first time you go into a game with a new starting quarterback for the first time I mean yes there are but I mean you most times it's usually early in somebody career um you know DJ has played in like you said a lot of football he's played a lot of football games and you know he's seen it all he's been through highs he's been through lows I mean I've i' could not be any more pleased with what I've seen uh you know you since he got here in January even just his growth you go through spring practice uh you we tried to put him in some really challenging situations W you know some of the things we wanted to see you know we wanted to see him have to respond to a disappointment we wanted to put him in the hardest looks to see you you what was his decision- making how would he go and then where would he how would he grow from that and you know I think he's just done an outstanding job and you know he's playing with a lot of confidence uh you know I'm excited to go see him you know play like he's prepared and you if he does that I mean I think he can have a very special season uh he's a great young man he's a great leader you know he's he's the work that he's put in and he's got all the talent so uh you just tell him the same thing I've been telling him just go out there and be himself and you we got got a lot of excitement and confidence in what that's going to be I think think after the second scrimmage you talked about the the health of the team being a good spot some guys might be questionable going into game week I guess what what are you able to share about the state of the team yeah I mean I think you know for the most part we are we're as probably as as good as you you could hope for going into the going into a first game I mean we got a a couple guys that will be you know kind of game time decisions uh you know got a few few guys that uh that that missed out but I I think um I think it's going to be as good as what you know we could probably hope for um you we might have a couple guys that are limited but uh but right now we'll kind of see how it goes more towards the end of the week before we make any any you know I guess defi definite decisions on whether guys are available or not but uh feel really confident about where we are going into this coach I was wondering if there was a plan in place to deal with the jet lag and the time change and kind of the long flight overseas we have uh this has been probably the the close preparation going into a travel plan or or a game that you know I've ever I mean it's it's been a year and a half process and um you know I I'll tell you for our operation staff I mean they've been remarkable whether it's you know Jason and and our staff there in equipment I mean just you know Top Notch and and the preparation uh you Scott trulu you know you know uh Josh Chapman I mean our athletic training uh Team I mean just the preparation the planning the research you know obviously you Bruce Warick and and the overall operation you know group with Jeff cupper and player person I mean it has been it's been just a full team effort and whether you know from the little things of getting everybody passports to make sure they're all ready to go uh you to the planning of of you know nutrition to to our sleep habits of to what we're going to do when we get there how we how we kind of broke out our schedule um you know there is a very specific plan in place and you know I think our our U our guys have a lot of confidence you know we've got to think you know just in the operational aspect of it guys with over 20 games of inter interational game uh game experience of of you know at the NFL level of what that looks like what that needs to be and so uh you know we feel very confident in in the plan and now we've got to go out there and execute it pretty sure this is a Tyler s tui's first time as a defensive coordinator so I know you were asked about it previously but like how similar maybe was was an offense when you were an assistant coach versus when you had the the full reign as an offensive coordinator how much of his pass can you look at and how much of no he was a defensive coordinator at at Duke last year and so you know he did an outstanding job uh you know in his in his first season to being a defensive coordinator when you look at that defense and what they were able to do um you know obviously you know coach Elco was you know probably one of his mentors and you know they've had a great tradition but I mean you know Tyler was a defensive coordinator last year and so uh but we understand that as as like I said with great coaches um you know they're going to be able to adapt to to the Personnel that they have and and I think that's one thing that you you showed even a year ago just the versatility and and all that that they could do and so it really uh kind of leaves an open platter for the things that we get to prepare for after eight months with this bunch and 20 preseason practices what ultimately do you think the identity is when you walk through the door in the first game I mean this this team's been about to work I mean and you know that's what I that's what I always desire you know that you have a team that you don't have to you don't have to push I mean they these guys you put the work in front of them and they go running after it um you know I really have been proud of them for for their approach to it uh this is not a team that sits around and and complains about you know what's in front of them they go to they go and work and attack it and uh you know I cannot wait to watch this team play and I really am uh with everything that I have just excited about about the moment and the opportunity U I like this team I like how this team's come together um you know I really really do respect these young men for uh for who they are and what they're all about and um you know it's it's just like I told him it's you do all the work and you build it up for for you know so few games but now you get to go put it on display and there's going to be great moments there's going to be challenging times in the course of every contest but it's that response and you know you can build confidence through the work that they've done in their preparation but uh you got to go out there and execute it and that's what we get to uh to see you know you know come Saturday and um you know what a stage to be able to do it on back coach obviously the game sold out uh just scrolling through social media there's already a ton of seminal fans already across the pond the marching Chiefs are going how wonderful is that to know that even though you guys are going to be playing halfway across the world you're going to have a very very friendly crowd at AA well I mean it's what makes you know Florida State special is I mean our our fan base is remarkable and you know it's amazing no matter if it was in the summer or out on the booster tours or you know any anytime I mean the number of people that that said coach will see in Dublin was uh just I mean it's mind-blowing and um you know I know just even in our conversations with the game uh the the game managers of of what it is and just the number of of you Florida State fans that are going to be there that are traveling you know obviously the marching Chiefs that's so big for us I mean they are such a key component to to what we're all about and you know to to be able to to hear the war champ playing there at a via stadium is going to be really just something special and uh it's a great venue I do uh I do need to take a moment to say I'm just grateful for you know everybody in there with with airling um you know game and you know the opportunity that we have I mean it's going to be they've done a they've done a wonderful job in their preparation and we're looking forward to the experience but all things that that are are leading up to go play our best and U you know I'm glad we're going to have a lot of you know Florida State fans there to to cheer us on I think they ranked 128th out of 130 teams last year in rushing defense but obviously with a with a new coordinator some new pieces I mean is that something that's worth considering is that something that just kind of flushes from year to year how do you kind of go about piecing what you can attack you know it's a good question I think when you look college football now is so different than it's really been you know in years past and um you have new new coordinator new scheme um you know new maybe philosophical approach and how to to improve in certain areas but then you know the the amount of personnel change that you can see um you look at their defensive front um the linebacker nickel I mean there's there's a lot of new new bodies and and new Personnel that's that's joining the the fold and you know with a with a scheme that it's been pretty good at at uh working to stop the run so it's going to be a great challenge for our guys and you know we're going to have to you know it's what I love is you get in the first game and you might have a you know you know an assumption of what somebody will do but you got to be able to to respond and react to to what you see and so um it's going to be a a lot of moving pieces but uh you know like I tell our guys you got to trust your rules and trust your as you go through it and we'll see uh we'll see how we get to adapt throughout the course of the game all right thank you guys have a great day I really really do appreciate you all on flexibility of this week so you guys have a great day have a good one oh hi nice to see everybody