The Seminoles are expecting a leap from Jamari Howard this spring. Head coach Mike Norvell has become impressed with the young cornerback.
Florida State became exposed multiple times on defense last season, allowing 7.0 yards per completion which ranked them 57th nationally.
Hence why head coach Mike Norvell expects his group to grow. He's seeing positive signs out of one cornerback who wasn't heavily involved last season due to an injury-plagued 2025.
Jamari Howard is anticipated to take big leaps this spring. "Track" is on track to recovering and showing the skillset that made him a prized four-star signing.
"I think Track had a couple really good plays here today," Norvell said to reporters following Tuesday practice. "You're starting to feel him grow up."
Howard's career endured an early setback that hindered his immediate development.
"When he got here, he immediately had a knee injury and missed some time, but you feel his length, speed," Norvell said. "I think he's really embracing the aggressiveness that's necessary, and I'm seeing that more."
Norvell's words paint a strong sign that Howard can impact the Noles in 2026. Especially as FSU will once again counter Miami star Malachi Toney and other star Atlantic Coast Conference wideouts.
Andrew Ivins of 247Sports was one once high on Howard, dropping this prospect evaluation before his commitment.
"A long, reactionary cornerback with foot speed and ball skills. Aces the eye test with a wiry frame that’s pushing 6-foot-2. Has done his best to shut down one side of the field the past two years totaling three interceptions and 59 pass break ups as a sophomore and junior according to MaxPreps," Ivins wrote. "Has played a lot of off-man coverage on Friday nights, but has shown on the 7v7 circuit that he can get aggressive with the hands and press. Does a nice job of opening up his hips and trying to steer wide receivers towards the sidelines. Understands how to turn his head and find the football, which leads to plenty of incompletions."
Looks like FSU is getting this version of Howard during spring practices. There's another reason why he and the others must step up.
The Seminoles lost top defensive back Earl Little Jr. to the transfer portal. So they'll need a new enforcer and top ball hawk in the secondary. Perhaps Howard's trajectory in the spring leads into a breakout 2026 season.
Join our NOLES ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected.