Florida State’s Quarterback Situation: Improvement, But Still Miles to Go
The 2025 season brought a step forward for Florida State football - but not a leap. And in Tallahassee, where expectations are sky-high and patience is running thin, especially for head coach Mike Norvell, incremental progress isn’t going to cut it. With 2026 shaping up to be a make-or-break campaign for Norvell, how the Seminoles handle their quarterback room - past, present, and future - could define not just next season, but the entire trajectory of the program.
From Rock Bottom to... Slightly Higher Ground
Let’s start with the good news: Florida State’s quarterback play in 2025 was better than it was in 2024. The Seminoles went to the transfer portal again, this time landing Tommy Castellanos from Boston College - his third stop in college football and a reunion with Gus Malzahn, whose offensive system leans heavily on dynamic quarterback play.
Castellanos brought a spark. His dual-threat ability gave the offense more life than it had a year ago, and the numbers back that up:
- PFF Grade: 86.9 overall, 87.2 passing
- Passing: 2,760 yards, 15 touchdowns, 9 interceptions
- Rushing: 557 yards, 9 touchdowns
Compare that to the 2024 trio of DJ Uiagalelei, Brock Glenn, and Luke Kromenhoek, who combined for:
- PFF Grade: 62.5 overall, 60.3 passing
- Passing: 2,164 yards, 7 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
- Rushing: 148 yards, 1 touchdown
There’s no question the position improved. Castellanos offered more production, more versatility, and a level of play that, at times, gave the offense a pulse.
But it wasn’t enough. The inconsistency in execution - particularly Castellanos’ struggles with routine, high-percentage throws - limited the offense’s ceiling.
Add in questionable usage of the running back rotation, and the unit stalled in key moments.
Improvement? Yes.
A finished product? Not even close.
Looking Ahead: Help Wanted
Florida State has already made a move for the future, signing Jaden O’Neal in the 2026 recruiting class. O’Neal brings a strong arm and excellent ball security - 29 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions this past season - but he doesn’t fit the typical mold of a Malzahn-style quarterback.
He’s more of a pocket passer than a true dual threat, which raises questions about how he’ll fit into the current offensive system. Will the staff adapt to O’Neal’s strengths, or will the player have to adjust?
Either way, it’s a storyline to watch closely.
Current Depth Chart: Thin Ice
Behind O’Neal, the Seminoles’ quarterback room is a mix of potential and uncertainty:
- Brock Glenn (Redshirt Junior): 76-of-175 career passing, 895 yards, 6 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
- Kevin Sperry (Redshirt Freshman): 12-of-17, 194 yards, 2 touchdowns
Glenn’s development has stalled. Confidence appears to be an issue, and the staff hasn’t done much to rebuild it. Sperry, meanwhile, saw limited action in 2025 - just 17 pass attempts - which makes it tough to evaluate where he stands in the pecking order.
The Portal Watch Begins
Given the current state of the depth chart and the uncertainty around O’Neal’s fit, it’s no surprise that Florida State is already being linked to several transfer quarterbacks. The expectation is clear: they’ll bring in a veteran arm to lead the 2026 team. Whether that player becomes a bridge to O’Neal or a long-term solution remains to be seen.
What’s certain is that the quarterback position remains very much in flux - and it’s central to Mike Norvell’s future in Tallahassee. After two years of instability at the most important position on the field, the Seminoles can’t afford to miss again.
Not in 2026. Not with everything on the line.