Florida State football wrapped up another tough season in 2025, finishing 5-7 and missing out on bowl eligibility for the second straight year. After a 2-10 campaign in 2024, there was cautious optimism that the Seminoles might turn a corner - but instead, they’re heading into yet another offseason full of questions and uncertainty.
Despite the back-to-back losing seasons, Florida State has opted to retain head coach Mike Norvell for the 2026 season. It’s a move that’s raised eyebrows in Tallahassee and beyond. Under Norvell, the ‘Noles have now posted four losing records in six seasons, and while there have been flashes of progress, consistency has remained elusive.
One of the biggest issues continues to be at quarterback. Since Jordan Travis left the program, Florida State has struggled to find a steady hand under center.
The transfer portal, which has become a lifeline for many programs, hasn’t delivered the spark the Seminoles were hoping for. McKenzie Milton, DJ Uiagalelei, and Thomas Castellanos each had moments, but none managed to solidify the position long-term.
Now, with Castellanos’ eligibility for 2026 still uncertain, Florida State is once again facing a pivotal decision at QB. Internally, there are two names to watch: redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry and redshirt junior Brock Glenn.
Both have upside, but neither has locked down the job yet. If the staff isn’t confident in either, the Seminoles may have to dip back into the portal - and this time, they can’t afford to miss.
Meanwhile, down in Coral Gables, Miami has been thriving in the very same transfer market that’s given Florida State fits. The Hurricanes have hit big on back-to-back quarterback transfers, landing Cam Ward and Carson Beck, and now they’re gearing up for a College Football Playoff appearance - their first in the CFP era. For Florida State fans, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the program’s own playoff drought stretches back to 2014.
With Beck finishing up his college career as a redshirt senior, Miami is expected to be back in the portal again this offseason. Early buzz had the Hurricanes linked to names like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and NC State’s CJ Bailey.
But according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Sellers is nearing a deal to return to South Carolina for the 2026 season. That development likely takes one top target off the board for Miami, leaving them to explore other options. Bailey’s status at NC State remains worth monitoring.
For Florida State, the hope is that Miami finally swings and misses in the portal. The Hurricanes have been red-hot in their last two attempts, and it’s hard to ignore the impact that stability at quarterback has had on their rise. If the Seminoles want to close the gap - or even stay in the same conversation - they’ll need to find their own answer behind center, whether that’s Sperry, Glenn, or a transfer who can finally bring some consistency to the position.
The pressure is on in Tallahassee. The fan base is hungry, the ACC landscape is shifting, and the margin for error is shrinking. If Florida State wants to reclaim its place among college football’s elite, it starts with getting the quarterback decision right - and soon.