Everything Noles: For Florida State Seminoles Fans

New FSU basketball coach Luke Loucks discusses his vision for FSU: a fast, three-point-heavy, NBA-style offense and a top-tier defense, inspired by Steve Kerr and Mike Brown. Speaking in Jacksonville, he talks on JU transfer Robert McCray V and how he brings what Loucks believes to be NBA-level athleticism to the squad, part of his first-year approach of blending portal talent with homegrown players. In addition, he spoke on the ACC’s down year (pushing for more investment to rival the SEC), praises Leonard Hamilton’s Hall of Fame legacy and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Florida State softball team will open their NCAA Tournament run at home this Friday as the Seminoles host the Tallahassee Regional. The No. 5 overall seed FSU is set to host the Auburn Tigers for the second year in a row, the USF Bulls and the Robert Morris Colonials as the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds for the weekend. On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss the Seminoles draw with this regional, including the unusual path that brought Auburn back to town this year, USF’s strength in the circle and Robert Morris’ potential upset hopes. They also recap an eventful last two weeks that saw a no-hitter, the announcement of a season-ending injury, clinching an ACC regular season title and a loss in the ACC Tournament Championship Game. Gwyn and Brian also give their picks for each regional around the country this weekend through Softball America’s World Series Pickem Challenge. And yes, that includes who they expect to be in Tallahassee next weekend for the Super Regionals plus some top-seed upsets around the country. As we get started on the postseason run, thank you for listening all year long and allowing us to talk softball with you. We’re excited to watch the next month of softball ahead. Tallahassee Regional: Game schedule, TV info May 16 Game 1: South Florida vs. Auburn | 12 p.m. | ESPNU Game 2: Robert Morris vs. No. 5 Florida State | 2:30 p.m. | ACC Network May 17 Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 1 p.m. | TV TBD Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 3:30 p.m. | TV TBD* *Loser eliminated Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 6 p.m. | TV TBD* *Loser eliminated May 18 Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 | 12 p.m. | TV TBD Game 7 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | TV TBD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With spring camp firmly in the books for Florida State, head coach Mike Norvell met with the media on Wednesday for a post-spring press conference, touching on what he called a “very productive spring.” “I thought that we really got a great glimpse of the potential of what this team can be,” Norvell said, praising players for “trying to be their best, trying to challenge each other, trying to compete.” One of the highlights for him was the way the team responded following a lackluster practice towards the end of spring, bouncing back to showcase the execution he had been searching for up to that point: “To see the way that they responded the next two days was really a great opportunity for them to show a little bit of that grit, a little bit of that desire and the edge.” With spring practice cut two practices short due to the tragic shooting on campus (“I definitely think that was the right decision to be made”), the Seminoles will look to offseason and summer workouts to pick up the work and further establish continuity. Norvell spoke on the offensive line, which was one of the position groups hardest hit by injuries this spring, saying that “it’s gonna be a group that has great experience… potentially one of the great strengths of what this team can be,” while saying that the attrition in the receiver room was a result of “real conversations” due to being over numbers. “Nothing’s happened I can say was just absolutely unexpected.....I’m really pleased with some of the newcomers that joined the program in January, and I really believe that the growth of guys that have been here.” He was especially complimentary of the quarterbacks, saying that watching the group was “one of the highlights of our spring ball.” Florida State added transfer quarterback Jalen King last week, something that excited Norvell as he anticipates King to “hit the ground running....he’s going to be a great addition to the quarterback room. We’ve had the last few years we only had three scholarship quarterbacks… being able to have another talented young man in that room… is gonna provide great depth.” The head coach also spoke on tight end Markeston Douglas’ decision to remain with the Seminoles after previously announcing his desire to transfer for the second time in three years, saying “I’m grateful that he is here… I think we’ve got a chance to have a really dynamic tight end room… Markeston definitely brings tremendous value and playmaking ability.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off a series sweep of NC State, Florida State softball now heads into a Top 10 matchup against the Florida Gators. But even during a major season so far for the Seminoles, some things stand out as bigger than sports. In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss head coach Lonni Alameda’s recent breast cancer diagnosis, the outpouring of support for her, and her impact on the program. Switching gears back to the diamond, the duo discuss a big win on the road over a ranked Duke Blue Devils and the continuing to roll against Stetson and NC State. Gwyn offers her insight into the home game against Florida and what the Gators bring to the table, wrapping up with thoughts on the ‘Noles upcoming trip back out West to face a pair of California teams. Gwyn and Brian also talk about the ongoing Brady Vernon vs. Ellis Family Twitter battle, women’s basketball Sweet 16 and a trip to the ACC Tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Florida State football continues to increase its workload, the Seminoles took the field Saturday for their first spring scrimmage. Mike Norvell told reporters in Tallahassee on Thursday that today’s practice would be mostly situational, with a heavy emphasis on the red zone on third down. Norvell opened his statement by giving specifics for the day’s proceedings. He said the team went “roughly 110-120 plays” with some special-teams work at the beginning of practice. After, he highlighted players who stepped up during the scrimmage. “I thought Sam Singleton had a couple of big plays, and Roydell has gotten back in the swing, Jaylin Lucas had a TD run. Defensively, we were able to create a couple of takeaways. Earl had an INT, and Ethan Pritchard had a pick-six.” Norvell also touched on the quarterback room and the moxie from Tommy Castellanos, Brock Glenn, and true freshman Kevin Sperry, who all receive substantial reps. “QBs, I’ll have a chance to go back and watch. We mixed the three pretty good, Tommy, Brock, and Kevin. For the first scrimmage, I was really impressed with what I saw from Kevin.” Norvell said he watched the scrimmage from the middle of the field, letting his coordinators run the sidelines and call all the plays. He seemed content with how the day went, and reading between the lines, the defense took the upper hand, although it is almost impossible to tell. Gus Malzahn took the podium next and, in his head coaching style, provided an opening statement of the day and his side of the ball through six spring practices. “60 runs, 40 passes, by design. All three QBs played, pretty much equal reps. I learned a lot about our guys individually. It was good to see them respond to success and adversity. Overall, I like our guys’ attitude.” Malzahn stated that the first part of practice is heavy installation with some more specifics coming later in camp. He mentioned they rotate constantly at all positions, but Luke Petitbon “is off to a great start.” The former UCF head coach singled out QB Kevin Sperry for his work throughout March practice. “Kevin has got a skill set. He can really run. He’s growing, the moment has never been too big for him, which is unusual for a true freshman. You have to have QBs that are desperate to be all they can be, and I think all three of them are.” FSU’s first-year defensive coordinator, Tony White, rounded out the day and focused on the group’s mentality more than anything. He repeatedly reiterated that he only cares about what the product on the field looks like over physical measurables and that responding after giving up a play matters more to him than allowing the massive gain. “We’re trying to create a mindset where you give up a play, ‘so what?’ Play football.” “We gave up a big play, and Elijah (Herring) chases a guy down 30 or 40 yards, and gets him down at the ten. On the very next play, we get an interception. So, we’ve had a lot of teaching moments.” Two returners continue to flash on the field, DB Earl Little Jr., and DT Darrell Jackson Jr., and White touched on two moments today where they rose to the occasion. “D-Jax can literally be the top defensive lineman in the country. He had a great play today. In the red zone period last practice, he missed a call today. Today, I saw him make the corrections and create a tackle for -4 or -5. I said that’s it right there.” “Earl has had some of the biggest hits and the best plays. Earl is him. He is truly him back there. It is fun to watch him play.” All coaches mentioned that rewatching the film would be critical to creating a firm takeaway on the outing, but being around their players in the game setting taught them more about their characters than they knew before today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind closed doors, Florida State football beefed up as the Seminoles put on the pads for the first time in spring after being in helmets the last two days. Take this with a grain of salt, but multiple players put on weight and look more physical from seeing them walk in, including DL Darrell Jackson Jr., RB Kam Davis, and DB Earl Little Jr. Head coach Mike Norvell confirmed how vital seeing physicality is, calling it “one of the most important elements” and something the staff “wants to instill in all positions.” “We had some explosive plays on both sides, defense was able to punch a couple of balls outs, which I like to see. Offensively, I thought we did a good job, some big runs, some vertical shots. I thought it was back-and-forth.” Norvell also mentioned this weekend being Legacy Weekend at Florida State, a massive recruiting moment for the staff but a chance to honor those who left their mark in Tallahassee. Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald will receive their All-American bricks this afternoon, and Braden Fiske, Jared Verse, and Jordan Travis, among others, are in town. “I was really pleased with this being our legacy weekend, we had 12 NFL guys back this weekend. It was great to see them, be present, and have them back...I’m just grateful for that example and how they represent Florida State.” The quarterbacks also spoke to the press for the first time this spring, with Tommy Castellanos and Brock Glenn. The signal callers touched on how vital spring football is and the bonds created on and off the field. Castellanos and Glenn are taking the opportunity to lead a team devoid of them from a season ago but are pushing each other through the first few days of spring. Just by hearing their interviews, they understand the maturity needed for the quarterback position, saying all the right things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Florida State continued its spring camp journey on Thursday, hitting the field for the second of 15 practices aimed at laying the foundation for this year’s edition of FSU football. It was another helmets-only day for the Seminoles as acclimation to on-field action continued, offering an opportunity for the squad to refine the finer details ahead of the first padded practice of the spring on Saturday. “[It was a] great opportunity to clean up on some of the finer details of what we put in yesterday. You had a little bit of new installation, but really with a lot of new faces, also some new terminology, new alignments, different things that we’re looking at on both sides of the ball,” head coach Mike Norvell said Thursday evening. “Day one, it’s about: ‘Can you get communication? Can you get aligned?’ You go back and watch the film, the communication was good, but we’re off on some of the alignments. You want to see guys be able to take the coaching, be able to apply it, and be better today, and I thought that was the case.” Defensive linemen Darrell Jackson Jr. and James Williams, who also spoke with the media following practice, earned praise from Norvell for the way they’ve carried themselves through the early days of spring. “You feel their ownership. ... Those are two guys that you challenge in the room because they both do have experience and high ceilings. [Jackson Jr.] made the choice to come back and I told him, ‘You better not even think about coming back unless you plan on being a top 10 pick,’ that’s the expectation now.” Norvell also complimented receivers Jalen Brown and Hykeem Williams, saying they have risen to the occasion after being challenged this offseason. “[They’re] two guys that made the choice that they want to fight for it. And I’m grateful for that and I’m trying to push them on a play-to-play basis for them to continue to elevate to what I believe that they can be. I’ve seen both of them in the first two days make plays that get me excited.” Defensively, Norvell discussed what he’s seen early from Earl Little, Ashlynd Barker, Max Redmond and the unit as a whole, saying, “Obviously not a whole lot of contact ... but you felt the burst, you felt the guys taking better angles to the ball. Excited about Saturday being the first padded day to start to showcase some of the physicality that these guys have been working to develop.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two days out from the first Florida State football practice of the spring, head coach Mike Norvell took to the podium to offer some initial insight into this year’s team. The biggest news came in the form of confirmation that the Seminoles would be without three defenders this spring — defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins as well as safeties Conrad Hussey and Shyheim Brown. Jenkins, who confirmed his unavailability earlier this month, is expected to miss the entirety of camp while Brown and Hussey have a “chance” to participate in the final practices of spring. “[Outside of them] we have some guys that might be limited just probably that first week,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes. Guys coming off-season, maybe off-season injuries, or working themselves back in will have some of them limited, but I’m excited about where we are from a health standpoint and the work guys have put in preparing for what’s ahead for spring ball.” The team has spent the early part of 2025 participating in Florida State’s offseason conditioning program, Tour of Duty, as it lays the building blocks for the season. “Really, the on-the-field aspect of it with our Tour of Duty was something I was proud of. It was a challenging workload that we put in front of our guys. I thought they really took a lot of ownership in the work that was being done, but also just the accountability that was necessary to try to hit the standard of what we’re looking to see on a daily basis. I think it’s a group that is filled with great personalities: guys that are outgoing, engaging, supportive, and challenging. I’ve seen players taking some ownership in that realm. It’s just something that is an absolute necessity, something that you need to see within a team. It’s something that I’ve been encouraged with through these first two months. I mean, you can talk about a lot of things, but you actually have to go do it. As we get ready for spring practice, we’ve got 15 days to really continue to forge and develop the identity of what this team’s going to be.” Norvell also spoke on what he’s seen from new quarterback Tommy Castellanos, how new coaches have fit into what FSU is looking to put together, approaches to recruiting and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices