Florida State finally found some rhythm through the air against Alabama, and Duce Robinson was right at the center of it.
The Seminoles had struggled to generate much passing production in their first two games, but Ashton Daniels changed that in a big way against one of the nation’s best defenses. Daniels threw for 377 yards, topping what he had produced across the previous eight quarters and marking the most passing yards by a Seminole quarterback since 2022.
Robinson made the most of the breakout. The 6-foot-6 wideout turned in a season-high six catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, nearly matching the rest of his early-season output by himself. He entered the game with only five receptions for 75 yards combined.
That performance has only added to the NFL chatter around Robinson. ESPN’s Mel Kiper singled him out after Week 3 and said the Florida State receiver is trending toward being a Day 2 pick in next April’s draft, which would place him in the second or third round.
"I recently talked about Florida State receiver Duce Robinson on the "First Draft" podcast. This kid is huge at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds," Kiper wrote.
"He's in his second season with the Seminoles after transferring from USC, and he looks dynamic. He hasn't always used his frame to play like a power forward, but I saw it this weekend against Alabama."
"Robinson posted a 6-135-1 line, boosting his average per catch this season to 19.1 yards. He has dependable hands and can shield defenders from the ball with his body control," Kiper added.
"On his touchdown catch at the back of the end zone, he did a great job tracking the ball and getting a foot down. I see a solid Day 2 prospect."
Robinson also crossed 2,000 career receiving yards over the weekend.
His 2023 season already had the kind of production that puts him on the radar. Robinson earned first-team All-ACC honors and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award after catching 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 19.5 yards per catch, which ranked second in the conference.
He also had five games with at least 120 receiving yards, the second-most in the country and the most by a Florida State player in more than a decade. In ACC play, he averaged 102.8 yards per game, the best mark in the league.
Florida State is back home Saturday, September 26, against Central Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
In Other News...
Florida States Passing Struggles Put One Norvell Staff Decision Under Fire
Florida States passing game has become one of the more frustrating parts of an uneven season, and the discussion around it has started to focus as much on coaching structure as on quarterback play. The Seminoles entered the year with Austin Tucker handling the quarterbacks room, a notable setup for a former wide receiver who had not previously coached the position, and the production has not taken a step forward.
With the offense ranking 65th in the FBS and Ashton Daniels sitting at four touchdown passes and four interceptions, the scrutiny around that decision has only grown. Inside the staff, there are other options with more direct quarterback experience, including Tom Herman and Brady White, which makes the current arrangement look even more unusual as Florida State searches for answers through the air. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Could Finally Get Answer On Its Backup QB Battle
Florida State has spent the first three games of the 2026 season looking competitive, but the more intriguing development may be happening behind the starter. Ashton Daniels has handled every snap in the most recent game, while the Seminoles have kept the backup quarterback picture open between Malachi Marshall and Kevin Sperry. Marshall has been taking second-team reps in pregame, a sign that the staff is at least sorting out the depth chart while the games still matter.
Central Arkansas arrives on the schedule Sept. 26, and that matchup could finally give the Seminoles a chance to see what they have behind Daniels. If Florida State does turn to its backups, it would offer a real evaluation point in a battle that has been mostly fought in practice and pregame work so far. For a team that has stayed competitive early, the next question is less about the starter and more about who is ready if the Seminoles need the next man up. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Has A New Reason To Watch Ta'Shawn Poole Closely
Ta'Shawn Poole turned in one of the more eye-catching nights on a Georgia high school field this fall, and it came at a good time for a player Florida State will want to keep tabs on. In Howards 49-43 regional win over Baldwin, Poole set a Georgia state record with six touchdown catches while piling up 245 receiving yards, a performance that put his name squarely on the radar.
The outburst also came with some grit behind it, because Howard was coming off losses to Valdosta and Perry before finally breaking through. Poole also chipped in seven tackles and a tackle for loss, underscoring how much he affects the game on both sides of the ball, and he and his teammates made clear afterward that the lesson was about learning to keep fighting until the end. [Read more 🡒]