Florida State’s secondary took a hit this week, and Mike Norvell didn’t hide how much it stung.
Junior defensive back Karson Hobbs tore his ACL earlier this week, an injury he first announced on social media Tuesday evening. Norvell confirmed Wednesday that Hobbs is done for the season, calling it a tough break for a player who had started to make real progress in fall camp.
“Unfortunately, Karson Hobbs went down yesterday. He will be out for the season,” Norvell said.
“Disappointed for the young man. As a guy that came in, went through the spring, transitionally, had new experiences, some expectations, and you see him, what he was doing through the summer, coming into fall camp.”
Norvell said Hobbs had taken one of his biggest steps just last week before the injury stopped that momentum in its tracks.
“I thought this last week was one of the biggest steps that we've seen, and just unfortunately went down. Had an injury yesterday that's going to keep him out for the rest of the year.
But definitely fully expecting him to make a great recovery and to grow through an adverse situation,” Norvell added. “Our hearts are with him.
Just so disappointed for the young man because you really saw some progress coming from him.”
Hobbs got to Tallahassee in January after two seasons at Notre Dame. In 16 games with the Fighting Irish, he posted 7 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass deflection.
Florida State had been working to move him from cornerback to safety, and he was beginning to push for a spot in the mix behind Ashlynd Barker, Ma'Khi Jones, CJ Richard Jr. and K.J. Kirkland.
Now the depth chart gets thinner. Senior Donny Hiebert is one possible option, though most of his career production has come on special teams. The Seminoles also have a few younger players in the conversation, including sophomore Max Redmon and true freshmen Chuck Kennon, Tre Bell III and Jordan Crutchfield.
Hobbs has two seasons of eligiblity remaining following the 2026 season.
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