Florida State’s quarterback room is looking thin heading into 2026, and the situation is demanding more than just patience and potential-it needs a proven arm. With Brock Glenn entering the transfer portal, the Seminoles are now staring down a depth chart that features just two scholarship quarterbacks, neither of whom has thrown more than a handful of passes at the college level. That’s not just a concern-it’s a flashing red light for a program trying to stay competitive in the ever-evolving world of college football.
Kevin Sperry, a redshirt freshman, is currently the most experienced quarterback left on the roster. And while there’s upside there, handing him the keys to the offense without serious competition-or a safety net-is a gamble that could set the program back.
Former FSU defensive lineman Nile Lawrence-Stample has made the case that Sperry should be the frontrunner for the starting job in 2026, arguing that the team should bring in a transfer QB to compete, not necessarily to start. His point?
College football, in his view, is supposed to be about developing your guys, not paying top dollar for a quick fix.
But here’s the reality: this isn’t 1995. The transfer portal has changed the game.
Programs across the country are routinely plugging in veteran quarterbacks to stabilize their offenses and chase championships. It’s not about skipping development-it’s about giving yourself the best chance to win now while still building for the future.
FSU hasn’t exactly broken the bank on transfer quarterbacks in recent years. While the market rate for top-tier signal callers has soared to $3-4 million, the Seminoles have been more conservative, reportedly spending closer to $1 million.
That’s not overspending-it’s underinvesting in the most important position on the field. And the results have shown.
FSU hasn’t landed one of the top portal quarterbacks in the last two cycles, and it’s hurt them.
Bringing in a “high-upside project” quarterback from the portal, as some have suggested, doesn’t move the needle. That kind of move doesn’t help you win in 2026, and it sends mixed messages to guys like Jaden O’Neal, a recent signee who’s already part of your long-term plans. What FSU needs is a quarterback who can step in and lead this team right away-someone who’s been through the battles and can handle the pressure of ACC competition.
That doesn’t mean you give up on Sperry or O’Neal. Quite the opposite.
A veteran starter gives both young quarterbacks the space to grow without being thrown into the fire. They can get valuable reps in practice, and if the opportunity arises-whether in blowouts or tough losses-they can get live-game experience without the weight of the season on their shoulders.
It’s a strategy that could’ve worked if Luke Kromenhoek had stayed in Tallahassee. He might’ve been in line to start in 2026 after a year of development. Instead, he hit the portal again, and FSU is left with a depth chart that’s long on potential and short on experience.
Mike Norvell has seen Kevin Sperry every day in practice. If he believed Sperry was ready to lead this team next fall, the staff wouldn’t be looking to the portal for help.
That search is telling. It’s not about giving up on the future-it’s about protecting it.
By bringing in a seasoned quarterback, FSU can compete now and build for later. That’s how modern college football works.
And if the Seminoles want to stay in the hunt, they need to play the game accordingly.