Florida State Seminoles are ten practices into their spring campaign, and while the Noles continue to grind toward the fall, there’s a certain edge HC Mike Norvell is still searching for. With the Al Dunlap Practice Facility surrounded by construction fences, outdoor field time has become a commodity. Yet, even with space at a premium, Norvell’s expectations haven’t wavered. Tuesday’s session, in his own words, was “up and down,” with the team showing flashes but not enough bite. That brought about some tough love from the head coach, especially toward the offensive side of the ball. Among those under the spotlight?
QB Thomas Castellanos, whose decisions this spring have ignited both promise and growing pains. He’s coming off a transfer window haul that ranked No. 23 nationally, with 16 additions and 22 departures. Florida State remains in flux—balancing immediate expectations with long-term roster building. The spring transfer portal window is right around the corner, opening April 16, and the clock is ticking for players to show they belong in Mike Norvell’s 2025 blueprint.
Practice tempo has picked up, but not all the energy has been clean. “Have to bring a better edge throughout,” Norvell said Tuesday. “Thought the defense in the middle part of practice was OK. Towards the end, you felt the energy, and some explosive plays that showed up.” That late-session spark might be encouraging, but the inconsistency gnaws at Norvell. He’s searching for tone-setters. Players who can elevate the standard, not ride the wave.
Castellanos, now with a full offseason under Norvell’s watch, finds himself in a pivotal stage. The dual-threat thrower is known for his playmaking instincts, but decision-making remains a work in progress. Mike Norvell broke down two key miscues during practice, one of which resulted in a tipped pass and interception on a screen. “There was an MA [missed assignment] at another position that should have helped eliminate the tip,” Norvell explained. “You make the most of what you can. If you see it, these are the other options.” That breakdown speaks to a bigger lesson for Castellanos. It’s not always about what’s drawn up but how quickly he can react when things go sideways. The other turnover came on a vertical shot downfield where, as Norvell described it, “the defensive back made a good play.”
But Mike Norvell wasn’t pinning blame—on the 5’11” QB, he was setting a tone. These are teaching moments, not indictments. “It’s a good teaching moment,” he said, referencing one pass intended for a young receiver who failed to come back for the ball. Norvell made it clear he sees growth from Tommy in his intent to command the offense. “Tommy specifically has done a good job of working to try to own the football,” he said. That ownership is more than protecting the rock; it’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind every read and every miss. “He knows the good miss. He knows the places that we want to try to locate it,” Norvell added. In other words, Thomas Castellanos isn’t freelancing. He’s developing an internal compass that could guide this offense forward.
The FSU QB room is quietly becoming one of the most competitive in the ACC. “All three guys in that room that have been heavy reps. I think those guys have all shown playmaking ability,” Norvell said. And that’s the crux of the challenge—not just for the Boston College transfer, but for the coaching staff. With no surefire QB1 named yet, it’s about maximizing reps and minimizing avoidable errors. Castellanos has shown he can create something out of nothing, but Norvell’s focus is on building consistency that doesn’t rely on magic tricks.
The broader picture? Despite all the uncertainty, Norvell and his staff have still managed to put together a 2025 recruiting class that sits comfortably in the On3 Top 20 rankings. One of the headline names is defensive lineman Kevin Wynn. He drew attention at the US Navy All-Star Game and continues to rise in national perception. While Castellanos and co. are still learning what this version of the Seminoles will look like, reinforcements are coming—and Norvell knows he’s building for something bigger than just next fall. The question, then, isn’t whether Florida State has talent. It’s whether they can harness it.
Mike Norvell hands off the play sheet, gains a broader vision
Noles head coach Mike Norvell isn’t calling plays anymore—but he’s far from sitting back and twiddling his thumbs. In fact, he’s seeing the game with a wider lens than ever before. And he’s loving how it’s playing out.
With a couple of “great coordinators” running the show—OC Gus Malzahn and DC Tony White—Norvell is leaning into their experience and versatility. “I think it’s really good, and obviously we’ve got a couple of great coordinators that are well-versed in all levels,” he said. And that’s a big deal. These aren’t one-trick ponies—they know their stuff across the board.
Because of that deep knowledge, Norvell says they’re able to spot issues across all phases, enforce the standard, and ensure the teaching is locked in and consistent. “Make sure that everybody’s coordinated in what we’re teaching, what we’re installing,” he explained. That’s a win for the whole staff. Even without a set position group, the coordinators have the freedom to float, helping wherever they’re needed.
“They’re a great resource for the assistants and for the guys that are at the positions, just because of their overall knowledge and having that flexibility to move a little bit.” Bottom line: Norvell may have passed the play-calling baton, but he’s building a smarter, more synchronized machine.
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