Florida State Shyheim Brown blocks another kick in practice, showing shades of LSU 2022
Florida State football opens its 2023 season against LSU in 26 days at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sept. 3.
Seminoles safety Shyheim Brown gave his team and the media in attendance Tuesday a little reminder about last season's game with a blocked field goal.
FSU clinched a narrow one-point victory on a blocked extra-point attempt by Brown in last year's Week 1 win over LSU. The Tigers were attempting to even the game and send it to overtime.
The victory set the tone for a great season for FSU, highlighted by its 25th 10-win season in program history, a Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma and the state championship with wins over rivals Miami and Florida.
Brown punctuated what has been a strong showing from the defense and special teams in the first five days of fall camp with his special teams play Tuesday.
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“One thing JP [special teams coordinator John Papuchis] always says is just think you’re going to come free every time, believe you’re going to be to the one. So, that’s what our mindset is on that. If somebody comes free, you have to execute," Brown said.
FSU practiced “live” kicks for a session during the practice. While kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit one from 45 yards out, Brown was able to break free and got his hands on a 31-yard attempt. Tyler Keltner made both of his kicks (31 and 45 yards), as both remain in competition for the kicking job.
Brown talked about how he is able to get open for chances to block a kick.
"My pride team,” Brown said. “It takes everybody. If Jared Verse or Pat (Payton) don’t hit that tackle hard enough, I am not able to get through. If I don’t push hard off the edge, then Pat or Verse will be able to get through.
“It’s all just a team effort. At the end of the day, everyone has to have a great get-off.”
Offense vs. Defense battles intensifying
The first two practice days, the secondary owned the offense. It made play after play on the ball, recording breakups and interceptions.
"I see a football team with a lot of explosiveness," FSU coach Mike Norvell said. "I thought we had some big runs offensively, defensively, and some explosive plays, creating pressure on the quarterbacks, guys in the defensive backfield."
On the fourth day of practice Monday, the receivers, led by Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, enacted some revenge by making big plays and highlight reel catches.
The back-and-forth between the two units continued Tuesday. Brown credited the offense for the improvement in the defense.
“We’re not going to get any slack off from them from Johnny to maybe even a walk-on,” Brown said. “Even some of our walk-ons are talented and someday can earn a scholarship. With all those guys, they push us every day., no matter what.
“... It just keeps us on our toes. They don’t give us a chance to come out here any day and slack off.”
Brown is likely stepping into a starting role this season following the departure of Jammie Robinson to the NFL. Robinson was drafted in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers.
Akeem Dent is likely to hold one starting spot while Brown looks to have the other spot. Kevin Knowles II, who played nickel corner last season, is switching to safety.
Brow expressed confidence.
“It could be no practices and I am going to be very confident in our defense,” Brown said. “It’s through the roof right now. You see the guys we brought in, the things they can do and you can see it out here at practice.”
Ashlynd Barker continues to impress
A name that Norvell has continued to praise throughout the first five days of practice is safety Ashlynd Barker, a transfer from Iowa Western C.C. in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Barker redshirted last season and hasn't played in a football game since high school in Columbus, Georgia.
Despite that, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety has been winning over admirers for his play and ability.
"He has the size," Brown said. "He's very smart. He just has to get used to the standard of how things work, how we operate in practice with fast movements. He's going to be a good one for us."
One more practice before hitting Jacksonville, scrimmage Sunday
The Seminoles return to the practice field one more time in the IPF this week Wednesday. The team will hold a pair of morning practices in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida Thursday and Friday starting at 9:30 a.m.
The practices in Jacksonville are open to the media but will be closed to the public.
"So we're going to Jacksonville towards the end of the week for our getaway during camp," Norvell said. "Those are going be two pretty intense practices that we'll have there.
"[Wednesday] is going to be one we bring down Just a little bit from maybe for overall workload but obviously we're going to still come so get after it."
FSU will return to Tallahassee and have an off day Saturday before the first scrimmage of the fall Sunday.
The scrimmage will be closed but the media will have availability with Norvell and the coordinators following the scrimmage, around 9:30 p.m.
The Seminoles will then have Monday off before practicing Tuesday to Saturday, with the second scrimmage scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 20.
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. 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: Shyheim Brown excelling in blocking kicks for Seminoles
