{"id":31787,"date":"2022-08-01T04:09:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T04:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/rookie-cornerback-azareyeh-thomas-picks-off-two-passes-and-forces-a-fumble-during-team-drills-on-sunday\/"},"modified":"2022-08-01T04:09:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T04:09:42","slug":"rookie-cornerback-azareyeh-thomas-picks-off-two-passes-and-forces-a-fumble-during-team-drills-on-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/rookie-cornerback-azareyeh-thomas-picks-off-two-passes-and-forces-a-fumble-during-team-drills-on-sunday\/","title":{"rendered":"Rookie cornerback Azareye’h Thomas picks off two passes and forces a fumble during team drills on Sunday."},"content":{"rendered":"
During the past two practices, the Florida State offense held its own against the Florida State defense.<\/p>\n
On Sunday morning, the FSU defense mostly held the offense down with a vice grip. <\/p>\n
The Seminoles’ defensive backs locked down the receivers in every portion of the practice — 1-on-1, 7-on-7, 11-on-11 — and the linebackers and defensive line won most of the battles up front as well. <\/p>\n
The result was a dominating effort and some kind words from FSU head coach Mike Norway afterward. <\/p>\n
“I really liked the energy of the defense,” he said. “I thought the (last) practice the offense did some really good things, competitive plays. I thought there was a really good response from the defense today. I see guys flying around. I like what I’m seeing up front, that forcing unit in the front-seven.<\/p>\n
“And I thought the guys in the back end really competed well.”<\/p>\n
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*** Sign up for our exclusive Newsletter to never miss important FSU news<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Norway said there were some “good moments” offensively Sunday, but very few came in the passing game. Malik McClain had a nice catch across the middle for a 15-yard gain on a pass from Jordan Travis, and Kentron Poitier had a 30-yard grab against freshman cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, but other than that, the receivers did very little overall . <\/p>\n Meanwhile, Thomas continues to stand out.<\/p>\n The four-star recruit was one of the eye-opening performers of the spring, and he’s carried that right on over into fall camp.<\/p>\n On Sunday, he had an interception on a deep pass attempt to Josh Burrell in one-on-ones. He forced a fumble in 7-on-7. And then he had a pick-six in 11-on-11, where it looked like he came off the receiver he was covering to step in front of a pass near the sideline and race uncontested into the end zone.<\/p>\n Thomas did later give up the long pass to Poitier — he was running step for step with the receiver but the ball was underthrown and Poitier made the adjustment to come back and catch it — but Thomas has performed well enough already that it seems apparent he’ll be getting a lot of playing time as a true freshman. <\/p>\n “Coming in, you knew the ability he has as a playmaker,” Norvell said. “He’s a very fluid mover. He’s explosive. He’s got great ball skills. He finds a way, he finds a knack for putting himself in a great position. And he had a couple today that I just love what I’m seeing.<\/p>\n “I’m seeing those positive steps. And he plays with a great deal of confidence for a young player. Anybody can have a good attitude when it’s going good, but when you get beat on a play — and he’s had a couple of those, too — and just the way he’s able to transition to the next play. That’s a learned skill for some guys.”<\/p>\n Not for Thomas apparently, who according to Norway has shown a remarkable ability to flush the not-so-good plays and then go make some great ones. <\/p>\n All of FSU’s players got more opportunities to do that on Sunday as Florida State, for perhaps the first time since Norway took over, used both practice fields simultaneously for a couple of periods of 11-on-11 to ensure everyone (first-teamers, second-teamers and third-teamers) got valuable reps. <\/p>\n “What I like is the quality of reps we’re getting,” Norvell said. “And there are still challenges when you have newcomers and you split them up … but I want those guys to get reps. And the quality of reps is what makes it very beneficial. <\/p>\n “I think we’ve got great competition in that young group. And some guys just need (work). I mean, you look at some positions and we’re rolling with pretty good depth. Just to make sure those guys are getting the quality reps they need.”<\/p>\n It sounded as if Norway will continue to use the two-field plan for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n He also said after one more practice in shoulder pads on Monday the team will be in full pads starting Tuesday morning. <\/p>\n ————————–<\/p>\n Don’t miss out on our exclusive podcasts! Subscribe Today!<\/b><\/p>\n *** Wake Up Warchant — Apple | Google<\/b><\/p>\n *** Seminole Headlines — Apple | Google<\/b><\/p>\n *** The Jeff Cameron Show — Apple | Google<\/b><\/p>\n Or just search for “Warchant” on your favorite podcast provider.<\/b><\/p>\n Talk about this story with other Florida State football fans in the Tribal Council<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During the past two practices, the Florida State offense held its own against the Florida State defense. On Sunday morning, the FSU defense mostly held the offense down with a vice grip. The Seminoles’ defensive backs locked down the receivers in every portion of the practice — 1-on-1, 7-on-7, 11-on-11 — and the linebackers and …<\/p>\n