Which players from FSU's best freshman class of the Norvell Era are poised to contribute?
Brendan Sonnone
Florida Statehas seen improved results in recruiting the prep ranks the last two cycles, and that's led to higher-caliber freshmen finding the field more frequently. That is a noteworthy development considering that FSU's results on the field have also ascended in that time, meaning reps simply aren't being given to young players.
For example, getting freshmen like Conrad Hussey, Blake Nichelson, Hykeem Williams, and Juice Cryer on the field in high-leverage situations for a team contending for a conference title and playoff spot led to invaluable experience.
Entering the 2024 campaign, FSU has its best prep class of the Mike Norvell Era (12th nationally) and is simultaneously replacing a majority of its starters from last year's 13-win squad. That means opportunities exist for various newcomers to find roles at some point or another this season.
Which freshmen are most likely to crack the two-deep?
TE Landen Thomas
Landen Thomas is probably your TE3 entering the year. But given how FSU uses its tight ends, this is essentially a two-deep spot already.
Thomas, a former four-star recruit out of South Georgia power Colquitt County High, got progressively better during the duration of spring camp. That only adds to the optimism that he can help out immediately as a rotational tight end who is a willingly blocker already and has some good straight-line movements to evolve as a receiver.
Ultimately, FSU opted to not add a transfer TE this offseason. Some of that was due to the market, but Thomas' upside and growth were huge factors in that decision. FSU views him as a building block for future offseasons, and getting him in-game reps as a rookie is a part of FSU's decision to invest in Thomas' development.
RB Kam Davis
Kam Davis gets a head start after showing up for spring camp as he established himself as someone who certainly belongs at this level from a physical standpoint. Davis proved to be a physically imposing runner who regularly went out of his way looking for contact.
So you have a college-ready skill set at a position that lends itself to playing early more than just about any other position.
The downside when it comes to projecting Davis as a two-deep guy right away is that FSU has a very talented backfield with both depth and diversity standing out. Jumping seniors Roydell Williams and Caziah Holmes for a role as a bigger back is unlikely, at least right away, but Davis has the tools to work his way into the rotation by the end of the year, especially as wear and tear takes its toll among some of the older backs who will probably be featured early on.
RB Micahi Danzy
Again, this is a position that lends itself to playing early…but also is one of good depth for FSU. The Seminoles have two tailbacks who are going to be heavily featured in the offense – Lawrance Toafili and Jaylin Lucas – and that might make it difficult to justify creating reps for Micahi Danzy right off the bat.
But buzz out of offseason workouts has been consistent: Danzy's track speed is absolutely legit.
We'll see how he does with pads on, but the speed and length are going to give him a shot to find some sort of role as a gadget player or on special teams early in his career…perhaps this season.
WR Elijah Moore
Elijah Moore is another freshman garnering substantial buzz this offseason program. He didn't enroll until the summer, which could ultimately hurt his path to early playing time, but Moore's size (6-foot-4, 200+ pounds) and movement skills within that frame make him a unique player among a group that only has a couple of receivers who are 6-foot-3 or taller.
We'll see how Moore does handling the physical aspect of the game when the pads are on in a few weeks…but there's a lot of optimism surrounding him right now.
WR Lawayne McCoy
Lawayne McCoy was explosive in the spring, and that was even after having to catch up due to an illness that he dealt with in the winter program.
But the Miami product proved to be particularly springy as well as fluid. There's enough talent here to, potentially, work into the rotation by the season's end. Also, his speed and experience playing both sides of the ball could give him a chance to work into coverage units on special teams.
One of the three CBs
FSU's two-deep at outside corner is going to be headlined by NFL prospects Azareye'h Thomas and Fentrell Cypress, followed by promising sophom*ores like Quindarrius Jones, Ja'Bril Rawls, and Edwin Joseph.
After that, your talented trio of corners – Charles Lester, Cai Bates, and Jamari Howard – are most likely next in line. FSU showed comfort playing freshman DBs last year (three had 100+ snaps for Top 10 defense), and it stands to reason that another rookie or two could work into a deep rotational role this season.
Lester is a player FSU was excited about in the winter program, Bates got progressively better in the spring, and Howard was maybe your best of the trio early in camp before suffering an injury that ended the spring prematurely (it will linger into the season, per Mike Norvell).
