Norvell highlights Daniels, skill standouts after FSU's first closed fall scrimmage

Florida State held its first preseason scrimmage of the fall on Tuesday night inside Doak Campbell Stadium, with head coach Mike Norvell emerging from the closed session to offer an optimistic early read on his team through six days of camp.

There were some explosive plays on both sides. We probably got around 70 to 80 plays on both sides. We got a couple of different situations, inside the 10-yard line work.

— FSU head coach Mike Norvell

Quarterback Ashton Daniels was a focal point of the session, and Norvell spoke positively about his command of the offense. "I thought he's done a really good job. You feel his command and control, where to go with the football. From where we left in spring to where he's been in the six days, even some decisions that he had tonight, you feel his command," Norvell said. Backup quarterback Malachi Marshall did not participate due to an injury, though Norvell expressed hope he could return by week's end.

Skill-position standouts and defensive speed

Wide receivers Micahi Danzy, Jasen Lopez and Teriq Mallory delivered highlights on the offensive side of the ball, while rover Ashlynd Barker drew individual praise from Norvell on defense. "Ashlynd Barker had a couple of great plays tonight. He's playing the rover position that suits him so very well. I think his leadership and mentality have been outstanding," Norvell said. The head coach also noted the overall speed of defensive coordinator Tony White's unit, adding that a second year in the 3-3-5 scheme has accelerated player familiarity.

Off the field, Norvell addressed the program's approach to a recent ruling that granted a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who began their collegiate careers in the 2022-23 season. The ruling excludes players who signed professional contracts and bars newly eligible players from entering the transfer portal unless they had already done so this offseason. Former quarterback Tommy Castellanos, who received only rookie minicamp invites rather than an undrafted free-agent contract, has reportedly explored a return either at quarterback or as an athlete. Linebacker Elijah Herring is also eligible to return; defensive back Jerry Wilson and wide receiver Squirrel White are not, as both signed professional contracts, with White also having retired from football in May.

We've talked to compliance. We've had some former players that we have communicated with, or they reached out, to get a sense of what it might look like. So, we're just going to work through the process there. I know that it is definitely a unique dynamic.

— Mike Norvell

Florida State will hold a walk-through on Wednesday before traveling east along I-10 for its annual two-day minicamp on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The Seminoles' second and final scrimmage of fall camp is scheduled for Sunday night, with the program set to open the 2026 season against New Mexico State on August 29.