Florida State’s Quarterback Room: Quantity Over Quality, or a Calculated Gamble?
Florida State has just about locked in its 2026 roster, and if there’s one position that drew the most attention this offseason, it’s quarterback. The Seminoles didn’t just dip into the Transfer Portal - they dove in headfirst, adding three QBs and a couple of JUCO transfers as part of a 23-player portal haul. It’s a numbers-heavy approach that raises a simple question: will it work?
Let’s break it down, starting with the signal-callers.
Quarterback Was a Priority - and FSU Acted Like It
If you had to rate the importance of addressing the quarterback position heading into the offseason, it was a full 10 out of 10. FSU needed answers, and they went looking for them - aggressively.
But bringing in three quarterbacks is only half the story. The bigger question is what kind of talent they brought in, and whether any of these additions can elevate the offense in 2026.
Daniels: A Fit, But With a Ceiling
Grade: 86
Daniels is the presumed QB1, and on paper, he checks a lot of boxes for what FSU needs in a stopgap starter. He’s mobile, experienced, and willing to run - all traits that align well with the kind of offense Gus Malzahn wants to run. He’s got enough arm strength to hit quick windows on RPOs and stretch the field when needed.
But the concerns are real. Daniels struggles with accuracy, and not just on deep balls - we’re talking about overall touch and consistency.
His turnover-worthy play rate (3.1%) isn’t disastrous, but it’s not exactly inspiring either, especially when paired with a low big-time throw rate (also 3.1%). That’s a red flag.
You can live with a few risky throws if they come with explosive upside. Daniels doesn’t offer enough of that to justify the risk.
In the right system - one that leans on the run game, simplifies reads, and gives him big-bodied receivers who can win contested catches - Daniels can help you win games. But he’s not going to elevate the offense on his own. He’s a complementary piece, not a catalyst.
Marshall: Intriguing Tools, Long-Term Potential
Grade: 88
Of the three quarterbacks added, Marshall might be the most exciting - not because he’s ready to start right now, but because of what he could become. He’s got the arm talent, flashes of improvisation, and enough velocity to hit all levels of the field. The tape shows a player who isn’t afraid of the moment, especially in big games.
There’s still a lot we don’t know. His frame isn’t ideal, and there’s a transition coming from his previous level to the Power Four grind.
But this is a classic high-upside, low-risk play. He’s not enrolling until the summer, which likely takes him out of the running for the starting job in 2026.
But give him time to develop, and FSU might have something real here.
DeNobile: Reliable, But Limited
Grade: 81
DeNobile is a solid addition from the FCS level, and he brings a steady hand to the room. He managed games well in a rollout-heavy scheme, showed good coverage recognition, and kept the offense on schedule. He’s accurate on short and intermediate throws, especially over the middle.
But the arm strength just isn’t there. When he has to push the ball outside the numbers or downfield, the limitations show up.
He’s got to muscle up to make those throws, which creates inconsistency and caps his upside. At best, he’s a depth piece who can run the offense in a pinch - and there’s value in that.
But he’s not someone you’re building the future around.
The Big Picture: A Pragmatic, If Imperfect, Approach
FSU didn’t land an elite transfer quarterback this cycle, and that likely wasn’t for lack of trying. The top-tier names they were linked to - Colton Joseph, DJ Lagway, Anthony Colandrea - all had their own flaws, and FSU wasn’t operating with an unlimited budget. In that context, the Seminoles opted for value and fit over flash.
Daniels is a functional starter. He won’t carry the offense, but he can keep it afloat.
That’s not a thrilling outcome, but it’s a manageable one - especially if the supporting cast steps up. And crucially, his contract likely doesn’t tie FSU’s hands.
If things go south early, there’s room for someone like Marshall or freshman Kevin Sperry to get a look.
Still, this is the second straight year FSU has rolled with a transfer QB who comes with accuracy and decision-making concerns. And it’s the third year in a row where they haven’t gone all-in on securing the best quarterback available. That’s a trend worth watching.
Final Thoughts
Florida State’s quarterback room now has depth, variety, and some long-term potential. But it doesn’t have a clear-cut star.
Daniels is a bridge, not a foundation. Marshall could be the future, but he’s not ready yet.
DeNobile is a reliable backup. It’s a group that could work - but it’s also one that could leave FSU in the same spot a year from now, still searching for the guy.
The strategy wasn’t a failure. It was calculated, budget-conscious, and fit-focused.
But it’s hard to celebrate when the ceiling feels this defined. FSU didn’t swing for the fences.
They played the percentages. Now we wait to see if that was enough.