Florida State football fans are buzzing with anticipation, eager to see who will take the helm as quarterback. While some are calling for redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry to step up, it’s the Auburn transfer, Ashton Daniels, who has captured much of the spotlight. Daniels, who spent time on the bench at Auburn before showcasing his skills late in the season, has a background as a starter at Stanford and brings a dynamic edge to the Seminoles.
Daniels is known for his athleticism, using his legs to keep defenses on their toes and delivering quick passes. However, to truly become the leader Coach Mike Norvell envisions for the 2026 season, Daniels has a couple of areas to refine.
Key Areas for Improvement
First on the list is limiting interceptions. Daniels has been proactive in addressing this issue, having worked on it during his time at Auburn. Despite throwing two interceptions in 119 attempts, it’s worth noting that neither was entirely his fault-one resulted from a Hail Mary attempt, and the other bounced off a receiver’s hands.
Turnovers have been a thorn in FSU’s side, with 41 in the last 24 games, averaging nearly two per game. This has made winning a tough challenge.
Improving his completion rate is another focus for Daniels. While he typically completes about 58 percent of his passes, he did achieve a 62.7 percent completion rate during a season at Stanford.
Reaching that level again would bring him close to the efficiency of former standout Jordan Travis, providing the consistency FSU needs.
Last season, FSU moved the ball effectively between the 20-yard lines but stumbled in the red zone. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos struggled with target visibility and pass completion, which hindered their scoring opportunities.
Daniels, with his physicality and ability to take advantage of checkdowns and slant passes, has the potential to change that narrative. If he can keep turnovers under eight and elevate his completion rate to around 62-63 percent, FSU could exceed expectations and become a formidable force in the upcoming season.