Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis shines, has best practice of offseason

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis rolled to the right but kept his eyes down the field.

So when Keyshawn Helton found a small opening around a cluster of defenders in the end zone, Travis immediately found the wide receiver and fired a perfectly-timed pass to him for a touchdown.

That impressive play from Travis essentially sums up how he performed in FSU’s 12th preseason practice Wednesday. His accuracy, decision making and timing especially stood out, and the ball rarely touched the ground.

Of the 24 Seminole practices that the media has observed this offseason, Wednesday’s practice was by far Travis’ best.

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“He was very sharp. Very sharp in situations,” FSU head coach Mike Norvell said. “And Jordan, I don’t know if he’s had a bad day throughout fall camp. It’s been good. And there have been decisions and things that we grow from.

“But he is in a great space. I like what I’m seeing in his continued growth and development.”

The dual-threat Travis has previously differentiated himself as a runner and improvising passer. But there have been questions about his game, including the notion that he abandons passing plays prematurely to scramble or run.

On his completion to Helton, though, Travis showed patience and timed the play perfectly. Had he hesitated, looked to run, or didn’t keep his eyes down the field the whole time, Travis never would have executed what should be considered the play of the practice.

“He’s a great playmaker,” Norvell said. “We’ve seen that throughout camp, the confidence that he has. It’s a great feel of being able to still have that pocket. There are times where you are going to have to move in the pocket. That’s part of playing this game.

“But to be able to step up, and to be able to keep his eyes down the field and be able to deliver that ball in that moment, it was a really good play.”

Travis started the day hot with two long completions to tight end Wyatt Rector and receiver Mycah Pittman in the first 11-on-11 session. Receivers Malik McClain and Pittman recorded multiple catches of at least 15 yards on passes from Travis. Running back Trey Benson turned a swing pass from Travis into a gain of about 15 yards.

The offense finally performed well after the defense dominated in the last few practices. It’s worth monitoring whether Travis and the offense have turned a corner and will continue to play at this level.

“The situations really showed up today, mixing second-and-long and third downs, two minute drives and a lot of things that are big for this team to continue to grow,” Norvell said. “The offense came out and really performed well today, which was good to see.

“I thought Monday, it was the defense. Yesterday, it was mixed back and forth. Today, the offense did some great things. But you are seeing that back and forth in camp and just the way that guys are responding.

“I’m really pleased with what the receivers did today. I thought they performed really well.”

Multiple wide receivers impress

Freshman cornerback Azareye’h Thomas attempted to secure a jump ball on a deep throw from quarterback Tate Rodemaker.

Then Johnny Wilson happened.

The 6-foot-7, 235-pound receiver used his long arms to snatch the ball out of Thomas’ grasp and complete a dramatic touchdown, which prompted several members of the team to swarm Wilson in a theatrical celebration.

Wilson caught a couple of other long passes from Rodemaker on that drive. He continues to be one of FSU’s best receivers in the preseason. The Arizona State transfer looks much more comfortable after he had an up-and-down spring campaign.

“When he first got here in the spring, it was probably a little eye-opening with the approach,” Norvell said. “He has embraced that. He’s moving really well. He’s been able to play a lot of snaps and play at a high level.

“That last drive today really illustrated that and how he was able to continue to play at a high level multiple snaps into it.”

The Seminoles recently have lacked receivers like Wilson who can consistently win one-on-one matchups. And Wilson has not been FSU’s only receiver creating separation and keeping the defense honest in practice. McClain and Pittman also have flashed throughout preseason camp.

No Seminole player has recorded more than 400 receiving yards since 2019. This receiver unit has shown enough to inspire confidence about them ending that horrific trend this season.

“We have receivers of all shapes and sizes,” Norvell said. “When you have big players who play high, over the top, being able to get full extension, going to get the ball at its highest point, it’s definitely a benefit.

“And even guys who are not as tall, the ability to go and attack the ball when it’s in the air, it’s something that we work a lot on. Different guys embrace that and understand the importance of everyone of those inches as that ball is coming back to him.”

FSU football headed to Jacksonville

For the second straight year, FSU will hold part of its preseason camp at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

The Seminoles will hold their Thursday and Friday practices at UNF before returning for a Saturday scrimmage at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Jacksonville practices are open to the media but closed to the public. The public and media are prohibited from attending the scrimmage.

The scrimmage will end a demanding stretch of six consecutive practices for the team. On Monday, Norvell called this week “identity week.” Not just because of the six straight practices, but also because of their upcoming trip to Jacksonville.

“It’s about the team. It’s about going to a place that is different from what you are used to. So there will be some discomfort, not knowing the atmosphere. We will be on a single field. We’ve got good tree coverage around us. Not much wind will be blowing. Hopefully we will get good humidity.

“It’s where our team comes together. We talked Monday about the identity of the team. As you get challenged and get through fall camp – today was practice 12 – we go hard. These guys, their bodies, I promise you they are feeling it.

“Everything we are doing is building them to be the best that they can be when we kick off here August 27. There will be a time and place for everything, but this week, we’ve got to come together through the challenge.

“We will have a couple different team events that we will do. We will enjoy taking away the distractions of all the things that are around, because you can still find distractions in camp.

“But when you go away and have two guys in a small dorm room in a twin-sized bed, get ready for it.”

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: QB Jordan Travis stands out, has best practice of offseason