Florida State took to the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility on Friday for the second day of its preseason fall camp, logging another day of work as it preps for its September 3rd season opener vs. the LSU Tigers.

While things haven’t fully kicked into high gear, with FSU still easing its way into full-padded practices, the energy the squad is displaying as it sets the foundation for the season has been encouraging to head coach Mike Norvell.

“You’re in just helmets, it’s hard to get a real sense of what [everything’s] looking like,” he said on Friday, “but watching the first step, I really like the way the defense is flying to the ball. You see the depth, you see the competitiveness, DBs being active at the catch point.”

Norvell also spoke further on the day’s production, which was a special teams-heavy day as the Seminoles look to solidify their specialists.

“Specialists are doing a nice job early in camp...I like what I’m seeing from them,” adding that “[we’re] trying to get a lot of work with the returners,” amongst whom have been Keon Coleman, Destyn Hill, Winston Wright, Deuce Spann, Trey Benson, Caziah Holmes, Lawrance Toafili and Ja’Khi Douglas.

Overall, Norvell thinks his team is ahead of where it’s been in the past, saying that “guys understand expectations. They worked hard and are doing what we’re asking them to do, and they went above and beyond on their own and that’s where you’ve seen a lot of growth from players. They’re confident in what they’re being asked to do.”

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Will they stay or will they go?

The Florida State Board of Trustees drew their line in the sand with the ACC this week with former FSU QB Drew Weatherford saying it’s not if but when for the Noles departure from the conference.

The question remains though, how and when. And to a lesser extent, where to. The Noles are making no secrets about their desire to make a jump happen sooner than later, but it sure seems like it won’t be that easy.

On this episode, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — take a dive into the latest happenings in the conference realignment tectonic shifts and discuss how soon Florida State needs to get out of the ACC to remain competitive at the highest level.

They also dive into Mike Norvell’s comments at his camp opening press conference and ACC Kickoff about embracing the expectations his team is facing this season and ramping up practice to be ready for their opening schedule.

Plus, the ACC media’s preseason poll laid out some clear tiers among the conference’s top teams.

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Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles football program is wrapping up its best month ever with commitments from five-star cornerback prospect Charles Lester III and four-star offensive lineman Manasse Itete, who recently decommitted from Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans.

Those two commits have placed Florida State in the top ten of the cumulative rankings from the two top recruiting services, with On3 Industry Rankings considering the Seminoles’ current 2024 commitments the No. 5 class with an average rating of 91.46, while the 247Sports Composite Rankings have FSU at No. 7 with a 90.97 average.

It’s been too long, but the Three Stars reconvened to discuss all that’s going on in the world of Florida State recruiting — and there is plenty, including:

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After a nearly two-month hiatus, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast makes a return to open up its run of offseason episodes.

Over the next few months, hosts Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin will discuss the latest news around the team and talk to interesting people around the program today, tomorrow and from the past.

In their first episode back, they recap everything that’s happened since the last episode around the college softball world in the transfer portal, who Florida State is trying to bring in, who else they’ve recruited this offseason so far and where they may still need to add.

Plus, with some distance away from the end of the season, Gwyn and Brian give a way-too-early look at what Florida State returns for 2024 both in the circle and in the lineup.

If they weren’t able to make any additions to the team, how would this team fare?

That’s all on this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap.

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Winning football games has a lot to do with talent, but you also need some luck as well. Whether that’s a bounce of the ball on a crucial play or the way your schedule lays out for you, it can be the difference between reaching your goals and falling short.

For Florida State, the goals this season including another year with double digit wins, a trip to Charlotte for the ACC title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

To get there, they need the talent they’ve acquired to play to their potential and several returning players to take that next step — and there’s been plenty of indication to think they will.

But they’ll also need to make the most of the schedule in front of them.

On this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast — Brian Pellerin and Ben Meyerson — break down the biggest games, the timing of the bye week and look at where the toughest surprise tests may come for Florida State.

And, the Tiger-centeric question that will define this season, which team poses the toughest test on FSU’s September schedule — LSU or Clemson? Who might be stronger than we think come season’s end? And which opponent could be easier than we think to beat based on their own schedule?

That’s all on this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast.

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On the offensive side of the ball, not many teams were better in 2022 than the Florida State Seminoles.

They were one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, generating 97 plays of more than 20 yards, ranking behind only Georgia and Western Kentucky. They were top five in the country in third-down efficiency, converting at a 51% clip. And they were top ten in the country in rushing yards per carry.

Still, there’s room for improvement.

On this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson dive into the numbers and look at what could take Mike Norvell’s group from one of the best to the best in 2023.

Plus, the guys play a little 2013 Florida State trivia as they compete to name the 6 rushing leaders from the national champion Noles.

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For the first three seasons of Mike Norvell’s tenure at Florida State, the consistent message has been consistency.

It’s not the first time that noun has been prioritized by a coaching staff, but it’s stood out through the way the language Norvell uses permeating through the vocabulary of his players.

Two of the best examples of that are quarterback Jordan Travis and running back Trey Benson, who were key figures in Florida State’s offense becoming one of the best in the nation in 2022 — one that ranked 7th nationally in yards per play (6.96) and 10th in yards per game (484.2).

Benson shattered preseason expectations, fully proving his recovery from leg injuries suffered at Oregon as he put up 990 yards and nine touchdowns (as well as a thrilling kickoff return for a touchdown vs. Boston College), ranking first in ACC and 13th nationally with average of 6.46 yards per rush.

Meanwhile, Travis put up such ridiculous production (226-of-353, 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, 417 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and a two-yard touchdown reception) and elevated his game to such a degree that he’s considered a top Heisman Trophy contender heading into 2023, where he’s one of only four active players with at least 5,500 passing yards and 1,700 rushing yards.

The duo spoke with the Florida State media on Wednesday, touching on handling expectations, offseason work, impressions of new teammates Keon Coleman and Destyn Hill, as well as a variety of other topics.

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The Florida State softball season came to a close last week with a runner-up finish in the Women’s College World Series.

The Noles swept through their bracket in the opening rounds of the WCWS, entering into the championship round with a perfect record for the first time in school history, but weren’t able to find a way to beat the Oklahoma Sooners in the Championship Series in games one and two.

But the year was far from a disappointment for Team 40.

This week, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast crew — Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes — recap the WCWS semifinals and championship series, review the journey this team took to get to that point, put a bow on the outstanding career of senior pitcher Kathryn Sandercock and others, and look to the future of the program.

Who is set to return to Tallahassee for 2024? What will the 2023 recruiting class add to the lineup and in the circle? Where do the Noles still need to help if they want to return to Oklahoma City next season? All that and more on this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast.

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Florida State head coach Mike Norvell’s mantra since taking over the Florida State program has been “Keep Climbing.”

That attitude led the Noles to take a massive leap to a 10-3 season in 2022, leading to 2023 expectations sky-high after another offseason of high-profile transfer portal additions.

But can Florida State reach that ceiling? The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler — a former NFL scout — believes so.

On this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap Podcast, Ryan joins Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and new co-host Ben Meyerson to discuss why he says “the stratosphere” is the ceiling for this team, especially the offense.

Ryan also breaks down:

All that and more on the latest Seminole Wrap podcast.

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The Florida State softball team is one win away from a trip back to the Women’s College World Series championship series after the program’s first 2-0 start in Oklahoma City.

The Noles made quick work of the sixth-seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Thursday in a 8-0 run-rule victory in 6 innings before winning a battle against the seventh-seeded Washington Huskies, 3-1, on Saturday.

Now, the Lonni Alameda’s team is one win away from competing for the college softball’s top prize for the third time in their last five postseasons.

On this week’s episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes:

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