TALLAHASSEE — Head coach Mike Norvell outlined a major focus for the early days of Florida State’s preseason practice.
“Creating space offensively,” Norvell emphasized after Friday’s practice, which featured the team in shells. “Trying to have a huge emphasis on our leverage and just moving people.”
While that task involves everyone on the field, much of it falls on the five players in the trenches who are responsible for protecting quarterback Ashton Daniels while creating the room necessary for the offense to operate. Norvell has been consistently optimistic about the offensive line dating back to ACC Kickoff, and that confidence continued Friday after the team’s practice in shells.
“I think it’s a group that they’ve got a high potential,” Norvell said Friday. “Guys that are capable of creating space and moving people.”
Offensive line coach Herb Hand also previewed the primary group entering preparations for the 2026 season. Xavier Chaplin was targeted to be Florida State’s left tackle when he entered the transfer portal, and according to Hand, he has lived up to those expectations since arriving in Tallahassee. Andre’ Otto, a homegrown talent, has been working at left guard alongside Chaplin while also getting reps at center. Bradyn Welch-Joiner, like Chaplin, was brought in through the transfer portal to anchor the offensive line at center and has met those expectations. Nate Pabst has primarily worked at right guard but has also taken reps at both tackle spots and center, showcasing the versatility that made him a valuable portal addition. Chimdia Nwaiwu, another transfer, appears poised to be the bookend opposite Chaplin after working at right tackle dating back to the spring.
Four of those projected starters are new to Florida State in 2026. Despite the group’s lack of experience together, the man in the middle believes the unit has quickly developed chemistry thanks to its collective experience and work ethic.
“I feel like everybody is a veteran. Everybody’s gelling together. I feel like we’ve got a lot of guys in the room that have a lot of experience. So just us for to have a lot of experience and being close to one another and learning the playbook together and just Coach Hand showing us the way and just being able to trust in us and what we do. I feel like we just are a high-profile offensive line,” Welch-Joiner said on Friday.
The group also appears to have more depth than in recent seasons. Sandman Thompson has consistently drawn praise as a center option. Paul Bowling, another transfer, can play multiple interior positions after doing so at his previous school. Sean Poret provides similar interior flexibility as Bowling. Jayden Todd provides additional depth at guard. Jonathan Daniels and Chastan Brown have emerged as a tackle option.
Florida State’s transfer additions have combined to play 134 career games with 117 starts. They join the returning Seminoles, who have appeared in 48 combined games, with Otto’s three starts representing the only starts among that group.
Through the first few days of preseason camp, the early returns have been encouraging. As temperatures climbed Friday and the intensity of practice increased, the offensive line held its own against a talented defensive front.
“Obviously, there’s just the the importance of every rep and just the the work together is is huge,” Norvell added. “I think those guys have done a good job just from time in spring, summer, and even the first few days. There was some really good IDs, some really good where you see guys working in combinations. Our defense presents a lot of challenges just with the explosiveness they have on the d-line, but I thought the guys did a good job, and there’s some good flashes of what they could do.”
Practice became heated at times, but Welch-Joiner viewed it as a sign of healthy competition.
“I love it. Because we are brothers, brothers are going to fight,” Welch-Joiner said. “That brings competition, as well. We are chipping back-and-forth. We know when we step on the other field, it is us versus them and we know what we’re going to do.”