When staff changes happen, roster changes normally follow. Players who were recruited by a previous coordinator may have had an exceptionally strong bond with that coach or could be unsure if they're going to be a fit in the new scheme.

It seemed like things may be going that way for veteran Florida State linebacker Omar Graham Jr. when he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 8 of last year. However, four days later, Graham changed his mind and announced he was returning to FSU.

"Any time you have change with coaches, guys can evaluate different things. I think all it was was an opportunity for him to see what it was going to look like," FSU coach Mike Norvell said of Graham exploring the portal. "I think (the new defense) definitely got him excited and he's showing up well."

So far this spring, it sounds like a very good thing for FSU that Graham elected to return to Tallahassee. Talking Thursday night after FSU's fifth practice of spring camp, Norvell had a lot of praise for Graham and how he's adapting to new defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 multiple defense.

"Omar Graham is a guy that I thought had probably his best practice since he's been here on Tuesday," Norvell said. "Really proud of some of the progression I've seen from him, just cutting it loose, playing fast...He's had a couple of really nice days."

At times over the last few seasons, Graham has drawn the ire of the fanbase. He's played in 27 games over the last three seasons and made 22 starts in 2023 and 2024 at linebacker for the Seminoles.

He's had moments where he's had issues in coverage or filling the proper gap in the run game. While some without full context of the situation may question why he's continued to play while having those struggles.

Norvell, though, has the full context and sees a different truth to the situation.

"I think when you look at Omar, he's dealt with some injuries his first couple years. It was something that was challenging for him. He tried to push through a lot..." Norvell said. "That's someone that was a young player that was pushing through to try to play maybe not at full capacity of what they can do. It's hard. He faced some challenges, some really bad games. He's had to work through all of that."

While learning a new defensive scheme, which will require a third linebacker on the field more frequently as well as more versatility from the position group as a whole, Norvell sees Graham continue to rise to the challenge entering his fourth season in college football.

"I think as you see him now, he is playing confident, he's taken the experiences and he's continued to work on his body to put himself in a great position," Norvell said. "I'm excited about what it can be."

-- Amaree Williams had an interception Thursday on what Norvell deemed to be a "really athletic play for the defensive end position." He said he thinks Williams has a chance to make some major strides going forward based on what he's seen through his first five practices at defensive end.

-- Norvell said the running backs had some good runs on Thursday, "showing their patience and great vision. Really good burst." Roydell Williams has been limited the last few days but was back out there on Thursday and busted an explosive run during red zone work.

-- Freshman receiver Jayvan Boggs had a red-zone touchdown catch on Thursday. Duce Robinson also made a great one-handed catch on Thursday, which was shared on FSU's social media platforms.

-- Norvell shared three more injury updates Thursday, saying that OL Jacob Rizy, LB Caleb LaVallee and DL Daniel Lyons will all be sidelined for the rest of spring due to injuries. All are expected to be back this summer in time for fall camp, Norvell said.

-- It doesn't sound like those injuries are related to an increased physicality in practice. Norvell said on the matter, "Some of the things that have occurred have just been, pretty much outside of your control and just little, I'd say, freakish things that have shown up,"

-- FSU will scrimmage for the first time this spring on Saturday. It will not be the scrimmage that is open to media members (we don't know for sure yet which one that will be) but we will talk to Norvell and the coordinators after the scrimmage around noon on Saturday.