Florida State Football Faces Critical Offseason After Disappointing 2025 Campaign
Florida State’s 2025 season started with fireworks-and ended with frustration. The Seminoles opened the year by knocking off Alabama, a win that sent shockwaves through the college football world and sparked sky-high expectations.
Quarterback transfer Thomas Castellanos even took a jab at the Tide, saying not even Nick Saban could save them. It was bold, brash, and exactly the kind of swagger FSU fans hoped would define a new era.
But after a 3-0 start, the wheels came off. Florida State won just two of its final nine games, finishing the season with a thud instead of a roar. For a program with championship aspirations, that kind of collapse is more than disappointing-it’s unacceptable.
Now, the heat is turning up on head coach Mike Norvell. That’s the reality of big-time college football: winning is the standard, and when the losses pile up, so does the pressure. Norvell has done plenty to rebuild the program’s foundation, but 2025 raised serious questions about whether he's the right guy to lead it forward.
Quarterback Carousel Continues
One of the biggest issues? Quarterback play.
Florida State has now gone back-to-back seasons relying on transfer QBs-first DJ Uiagalelei, then Castellanos-and neither move delivered the kind of consistency or explosiveness needed to carry the offense. Now, it looks like the Seminoles will be back in the portal again, hunting for a third straight one-year solution under center.
The hope internally is that redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry could be ready to compete for the job in 2026. But with no guarantee that he’s ready to take the reins, the coaching staff has to explore every option. That includes keeping tabs on the deep pool of transfer quarterbacks currently on the move.
Names like Brendan Sorsby, Dylan Raiola, Rocco Becht, and Josh Hoover are all in the mix nationally, and Florida State will need to be aggressive-and smart-with its approach. This isn’t just about adding talent. It’s about finding the right fit, someone who can stabilize the offense and lead a bounce-back season.
Marcus Stokes Likely Headed Elsewhere
One name that appears to be off the board? Marcus Stokes.
The West Florida standout, who threw for 3,664 yards and 40 touchdowns this past season, has visits lined up with Syracuse (January 3) and Memphis (January 10). While Florida State hasn’t been officially ruled out, the writing may be on the wall.
At the very least, it suggests the Seminoles are weighing other options or going in a different direction altogether.
And that’s okay. Stokes is talented, no doubt, but this quarterback class is deep.
The key for Florida State is not to panic or chase names-it’s to get the evaluation right. The transfer window opens January 2 and runs through January 16, and in today’s college football landscape, roster management is a year-round job.
Programs need a GM-like approach, especially when it comes to the quarterback position.
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Offseason for Norvell and the Noles
FSU fans don’t need to look far to see what a successful quarterback transfer can do. Just check down south-Miami hit on Cam Ward and Carson Beck, and it’s paid off with back-to-back double-digit win seasons. That’s the kind of impact Florida State is chasing.
But this isn’t about copying anyone else’s blueprint. It’s about getting back to what made the Seminoles a national power: strong leadership, smart roster building, and consistent quarterback play.
The 2025 season was a step backward, no question. But the right move at QB-and a strong offseason overall-can put Florida State right back in the mix.
The pieces are there. Now it’s on the coaching staff to put them together.