FSU football fall camp: Mike Norvell pleased with newcomers on first day of practice
FSU's home opener against Alabama is still a month away before opening kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.
In unbearable heat, the Seminoles have left behind their 2-10 season last year and stepped onto the football practice fields to begin its new chapter of the 2025 season.
"I thought there was good workflow, but obviously a great deal of improvement needs to be shown from day one and day two, and it was good to see the guys out there, seeing them compete," FSU coach Mike Norvell said after practice.
Norvell, who is entering his sixth season for the Seminoles, was pleased by the newcomers on both sides of the ball. As they continued to get acclimated to what to expect in Norvell's program, he likes the way he has seen from his transfer portal players and his freshman class.
"I thought it was a good day for the young, newcomers," Norvell said." I think some of them might have them a little bit (with) the expectations, the pace of what we're trying to accomplish."
Mike Norvell excited to watch cornerback Jeremiah Wilson
When asked who stood out from the transfer portal players, the first name he mentioned was Jeremiah Wilson. The former Houston cornerback was a late addition from the transfer portal, but since he jumped on the FSU roster, he has been making plays nonstop against FSU's receivers.
"It was fun watching Jerry," Norvell said.
"His first action, you feel his energy. You feel his balance. He had a nice pass breakup today, really good transition."
Wilson led Houston with three interceptions last season and was graded 83.7, which is the 10th best among cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus.
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FSU's RB Gavin Sawchuck, Ousmane Kromah impressive in their first day
Other players he mentioned came from the running backs Gavin Sawchuck and freshman Ousmane Kromah.
Both backs of their plays on their first day of pads have gone unnoticed, as both newcomers expected to make an immediate impact.
I thought seeing Gavin being out there and seeing the check save, he felt very comfortable there and things were asking him to do in the backfield," Norvell said.
"Like I said, it was a limited team, but just seeing guys go and work to be able to execute. Ousmane was good today. For a freshman coming in, he had a really nice run there in the team portion. Just seeing his vision and just acceleration was good."
Kromah definitely looks the part in helmets and pads as the former four-star player is listed at 6-foot-1, 218 pounds. As for Sawchuck, he has been a productive player in his career while at Oklahoma, as he rushed for 977 yards and 11 TDs in the last three seasons.
More: Florida State football practice notes: Energy high as Seminoles begin preseason camp
Florida State football 2025 schedule
Aug. 30, Alabama, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, East Texas A&M, Noon
Sept. 20, Kent State, TBA
Sept. 26, at Virginia (Friday), 7 p.m.
Oct. 4, Miami, TBA
Oct. 11, Pittsburgh, TBA
Oct. 18, at Stanford, 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 Wake Forest, TBA
Nov. 8 at Clemson, TBA
Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA
Nov. 21 at North Carolina State (Fri.), 8 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Florida, TBA
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football fall camp observations: Mike Norvell liking the newcomers

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