Luke Petitbon readily acknowledges he doesn't want to reflect or compare what Wake Forest and Dave Clawson did the last few years to what he's experiencing now at Florida State with Mike Norvell and a new coaching staff.

But in discussing the Seminoles' practices through four days of spring practice, Petitbon feels the physicality. And embraces it.

"Practices are physical here for sure," said Petitbon, a two-year starter at Wake. "It’s nice having guys like Darrell Jackson to go against every day. He’s getting me so much better. It’s why I came to a place like Florida State, to go against the best. That’s the biggest thing. Going against those type of guys is something I really appreciate and I think will make us all better in the long run."

While FSU fans will likely take a "believe it when we see it" approach to physicality coming off the struggles of 2024, it's worth mentioning Petitbon's family is deeply rooted in football. A grandfather, Richie, played 14 years in the NFL and won three Super Bowls as an assistant coach with Washington. His dad, Richie, played linebacker at Maryland. And his older brothers, Richie and Carson, have both played Power 5 football.

It's fair to arrive at the conclusion that Petitbon has seen some good football and soaked up knowledge from sitting around the house with family through the years. Petitbon has shown what he can do on the field, too. He played in 38 games at Wake from 2020-24, starting 22 games. And he allowed just one sack last fall, tied for the fewest among ACC centers.

It's a spring of change for Petitbon as well as FSU's other three transfers on the offensive line in guard Adrian Medley and tackles Micah Pettus and Gunnar Hansen. With the exception of Medley, who arrives after working with offensive line coach Herb Hand at UCF, it has taken them time to acclimate to a new scheme and new faces on the line.

"I think after four days, I’m getting into the swing of things," Petitbon said. "I really enjoy practice so far. You can see that we’re getting each other better, both sides are improving."

FSU coach Mike Norvell praised Petitbon for how he has absorbed FSU's playbook in the offseason as well as taking on a leadership role in the offensive line room.

"Luke has done a great job coming in and learning a lot of aspects of this offense in a very short period of time," Norvell said. "Obviously played a lot of football in his time at Wake. His mentality, the leadership, the work, the strain. He does embody those characteristics. He’s a guy that’s easily establishing himself as a leader in that group. He’s not afraid to speak what he sees, he’s not afraid to challenge himself. I think that’s the mark of a great leader."

Petitbon knows the pressure is on him in various ways. At 295 pounds, he's often lined up eye to eye with massive tackles like Jackson. But he's also the center, trying to communicate and make adjustments on the fly. It's a role he enjoys as he learns from Hand, who Petitbon says is demanding in his teaching each day on the practice field.

"Coach Hand, you can tell throughout January and February that he’s an intense dude, he takes his job super seriously," Petitbon said. "… He shows that every day. It’s something that we all appreciate. We know after practice, he’s all in. He’s given his all every day. So that makes us want to give our all every day."

-- Norvell has commented a few times that FSU's defensive players have forced turnovers this spring. "We've been able to create some takeaways with shots on ball," he said. "It's definitely positive to see."

-- Amaree Williams has primarily practiced on the defensive side for the Seminoles this spring. "I'm seeing him get better with every rep that he gets," Norvell said. Williams played tight end as a true freshman in 2024 and is now working at defensive end, although he could see some time on offense, too.

-- Ja'Bril Rawls is stronger and is "moving more confidently," Norvell said. The defensive back has had a few interceptions this spring and a few pass break-ups on Tuesday.

-- A standout true freshman for FSU: Tight end Chase Loftin. "In four days he shows that he's going to be competing for a great opportunity with what we're doing," Norvell said.

-- FSU will return to the practice field on Thursday and Saturday.

Edwin Joseph will miss the spring due to injury

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