Mike Norvell analyzes how Johnny Wilson has handled injuries this season
Dealing with injuries in any sport is never a fun thing. A multitude of injuries can lead to missing a significant amount of time in the game. And that’s what Florida State’s star receiver, Johnny Wilson, has been dealing with this year.
Wilson has played in just over 50 percent of the Seminoles games this year, five of their nine games. But his play has remained consistent. On Tuesday, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell spoke about Wilson’s ability to deal with his string of injuries. Furthermore, in the eyes of the Seminoles’ headman, it all starts with his preparation.
“In the last game, I think he had five catches in the first half, coming back. So you saw that,” said Norvell. “I mean, he is training, and now he’s done a good job in his preparation. Nobody likes to miss any time. But when you do, you got to be ready to bounce back when you get back and you are fully healthy. So, I know he’s been working this week. He got some work in last week, continuing to build towards that, and we’re hopeful for what it could be.”
Despite all the time missed, Wilson is still second on the team in most pass-catching categories, only behind fellow wideout Keon Coleman. Still, if Florida State can get a healthy Wilson back for Week 11’s tilt against the Miami Hurricanes, it would be a massive boost in energy and production. And that’s just what Norvell and Florida State need as they enter the home stretch of the season looking to lock up one of the four College Football Playoff seeds.
Norvell expects Florida State to be in a much better spot at receiver against Miami
Florida State was down its top offensive weapons in Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson out wide but was still able to edge past Pitt 24-7.
Regardless if Coleman, Wilson, or anyone else can return for FSU for this weekend’s matchup, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell remains confident in the rest of his receiving corps heading into the final weeks of the season.
“I do,” Norvell said of having confidence in his group on Monday. “What that means, we’ll see. As we go through the week, we’ll get a great perspective of where guys are. Kentron [Poitier], he battled last week. Deuce [Spann] obviously didn’t play. [Aidan] Shahriari took over some of the things in the kickoff return game. It was a real challenge last week.
“Another guy I want to mention is Vandrevius Jacobs. Hadn’t played a whole lot this season. His number got called and he was ready. Just continued growth from another true freshman that’s able to make an impact for us. So yes, I do see us being in a much better spot. Coming out of last night’s practice, we had a lot more participation in it, guys being able to get out there and work. We’ll see where the week goes.”
Ja’Khi Douglas ended up being the team’s leading receiver on the night — hauling in six receptions for 115 yards, failing to find the end zone. Tight end Kyle Morlock also had four receptions for 80 yards, but it was Markeston Douglas who had the only touchdown that quarterback Jordan Travis threw against the Panthers.