Norvell pleased with Florida State secondary’s performance, versatility in first spring scrimmage

After a scrimmage that was mostly controlled by the defense on Saturday, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell heaped a whole lot of praise on the Seminoles’ defensive front.

But he also made sure to point out how well the FSU secondary played as well.

And with a few question marks in the defensive backfield — most notably, who will replace Jammie Robinson at safety — that’s a positive sign as the Seminoles prepare to start their third week of spring practice.

“I thought they did well,” Norvell said. “There were some really good plays that showed up. They were good in coverage. There were good opportunities for them to show up in the run game and the pass game. That is a confident group. [It has] a lot of guys who have played at a high level for us, but also trying to have them move around a little bit.”

With Kevin Knowles out for the spring, Greedy Vance has been getting even more playing time than normal at slot corner. And on Saturday, Norvell said the second-year transfer from Louisville has been one of the stars of the spring so far.

“He’s played at a very high level throughout it,” Norvell said. “But we’re also being able to take different looks — like we’re putting him at nickel some, putting him at corner some. I think Jarrian Jones, Azareye’h (Thomas), Renardo Green, I think all of those guys were able to be move around and try different sequences — whether it’s nickel, corner, field, boundary.

“It’s a good group. I’ve been really pleased with the way our safeties are elevating their game. I mean, Omarion Cooper has done a really nice job in his transition. I think he’s building into his confidence. I really like what I see there.”

Norvell also mentioned that having redshirt sophomore Shyheim Brown back in action, and him getting more reps than he has all spring, has been a bonus for the defense. And he made sure to add that freshman K.J. Kirkland and fellow freshman Quindarrius Jones have both impressed through their first six practices of college football.

With so much experience — this doesn’t even include veterans like Akeem Dent and Fentrell Cypress — the Seminoles should be playing well in the defensive backfield.

Granted, it’s only been five practices and a scrimmage. And granted, it’s still March. But so far, the Florida State coaches seem to like what they’ve seen from their secondary. And they love how versatile the group seems to be.

“Fentrell and Quindarrius are new,” defensive coordinator Adam Fuller said. “But all the other returning corners and nickels that are out there in the spring — Greedy, [Jarrian], Renardo, Azareye’h — we’re rolling them at nickel and corner. I think it helps build depth throughout the season, but also I think it improves their skill as a player putting them in those situations.”

In the scrimmage on Saturday, Jones had the lone interception from the scholarship defensive backs. Green also blocked a field goal attempt.

The Seminoles and all their cross-training defensive backs return to the practice field on Tuesday afternoon.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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