FSU tight ends coach Chris Thomsen breaks down position group midway through camp

Multiple times already this preseason, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has talked glowingly about tight end Kyle Morlock.

He even used the term “unbelievable” when describing the second-year transfer from Division-II Shorter University.

Well, not surprisingly, Florida State tight ends coach Chris Thomsen seems to share that perspective. Thomsen spoke with the media on Tuesday morning about the projected starter as well as the rest of the depth chart at the tight end position.

“He’s where I thought he would be,” Thomsen said of Morlock. “The big challenge with him was just making more plays down the field this year. He didn’t get a lot of opportunities (last year). When he did, he made those for the most part. Getting him down the field a little bit more, which he’s shown up really well on some tough catches down the field.

“And blocking-wise, he’s continuing to improve. So, he’s right where I thought he would be. His work ethic is excellent. So, you know, when a guy works like he does, he’s going to improve rapidly. And that’s what he’s doing.”

Morlock played in every game for the Seminoles a season ago, serving primarily as the backup for Jaheim Bell. He caught 19 passes for 255 yards on the season, including an 80-yard effort against Pitt in a game where FSU was down its top three pass-catchers.

Aside from Morlock, the tight end who has made the most plays downfield for the Florida State offense through two weeks of preseason camp is true freshman Amaree Williams.

The former two-way standout in high school, who reclassified to be a part of this freshman class at FSU, still has a ways to go physically. He is listed at 6-foo-4, 219 pounds. But he already has shown he has a bright future at the position.

“He’s made some really good plays,” Thomsen said. “Still obviously learning. In high school, he was a little more out wide on the perimeter. So, the closer he gets to the ball, some of that stuff is new to him. But overall, he’s done a great job of just coming in and trying to absorb all the things that he’s asked to do. His playmaking ability, his athleticism has showed up.”

Florida State tight ends Kyle Morlock (right) and Brian Courtney work on a drill during preseason practice. (Ben Spicer/Warchant)

As well as Williams has caught the football, it still would be somewhat of a surprise if he made a significant impact on the offense in 2024. Not because he’s not talented enough, but the tight end position — with its heavy involvement in the run game — will probably require a bit more physicality than the true freshman has to offer at the moment.

That’s where Jackson West likely comes into play.

The 6-4, 235-pound redshirt junior seems to be in position to get a lot more snaps this season for the Seminoles.

“Just catch the ball a little bit more consistently is the main thing,” Thomsen said of West. “Because we’re talking about playing close to the ball, that’s where he excels. The physicality he brings to the run game is at a very high level. And we need that. We need that in the room, we need that as a team. You always need that guy.

“His route-running has been really, really good. He’s just got to finish on some plays. And he’ll do that. I have faith that he will.”

Another tight end that has made his share of plays this camp, and maybe could potentially be a factor for the Florida State offense in 2024, is Brian Courtney. The 6-3, 240-pound junior was a quarterback in high school and briefly made the switch to linebacker one year ago.

But he’s back at tight end to stay.

“He’s actually had a really good camp,” Thomsen said. “He showed up in the scrimmage with some tough runs after the catch. He’s about 242 right now. He’s got that background of kind of being a wildcat quarterback. So, when he gets the ball in his hands, he’s tough to bring down. I mean, he can run. The guy can run.

“He’s had a really good camp.”

As for highly touted true freshman Landen Thomas, who enrolled early and had some dynamic plays during the spring?

“I expect him to emerge here soon as we get closer to game time,” Thomsen said.

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

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