Mike Norvell is back at the controls of Florida State’s offense, and with that comes a subtle but important shift in how the Seminoles will approach the quarterback position. While Norvell and the now-retired Gus Malzahn shared similar philosophies when it came to offensive tempo and spread principles, their preferences under center are notably different - and that could make for a wide-open quarterback competition heading into spring.
Quarterback battle brewing in Tallahassee
The arrival of Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels, the presence of freshman Kevin Sperry, and the looming addition of JUCO signee Malachi Marshall set the stage for a three-man battle that could stretch deep into the offseason. And with Norvell now fully back in charge of the offense, the criteria for winning the job may look a little different than it did under Malzahn.
Let’s start with Daniels. Under Malzahn, he was a logical fit - a solid athlete, capable of making plays with his legs, and a serviceable passer in a system that didn’t ask him to push the ball downfield with much complexity.
Malzahn’s quarterback mold has long favored mobility over polish - think Cam Newton, KJ Jefferson, John Rhys Plumlee, and Tommy Castellanos. In that system, Daniels’ legs were a weapon.
His arm? Less so.
But Norvell’s ideal quarterback profile leans in a different direction. At Memphis, he thrived with more traditional pocket passers like Riley Ferguson and Brady White.
Even at FSU, Norvell’s quarterback room has been filled with players who weren’t exactly burners - Tate Rodemaker, McKenzie Milton, and Chubba Purdy among them. That’s not to say mobility isn’t valued, but Norvell’s offense has historically prioritized decision-making, timing, and the ability to operate from the pocket over pure athleticism.
What Norvell wants - and who might deliver it
The best version of Norvell’s offense at Florida State came with Jordan Travis at the helm - a quarterback who could extend plays and make magic off-script, but who also developed into a capable passer within structure. It’s easy to forget that Norvell didn’t hand Travis the job right away. He tried Blackman, Rodemaker, Milton, and Purdy before Travis emerged midway through 2021.
That tells us something: Norvell wants a quarterback who can throw the ball with confidence and consistency. He’s not looking to run QB power 20 times a game - he’s got running backs for that. Travis’ most memorable runs came on broken plays, not designed ones.
So where does that leave Daniels? He’ll need to show real growth as a passer this spring.
If he can’t, it’s hard to see Norvell building the offense around his legs. The system is going to ask him to make throws - on time, on target, and with anticipation.
That wasn’t his strength last year, but spring ball gives him a chance to rewrite that narrative.
Kevin Sperry, on the other hand, might not wow anyone in a workout, but he fits the mold of what Norvell generally looks for. He’s a poised, rhythm-based passer who can operate within the structure of the offense.
The question is whether he’s physically ready for the job. He’s not going to jump off the screen with elite arm strength or athleticism, but he may be the most natural fit for what Norvell wants to run.
The wildcard: Malachi Marshall
Then there’s Malachi Marshall, the JUCO product who won’t arrive until the summer. He’s a bit of a mystery - more dynamic than Daniels or Sperry in terms of raw athleticism, and he brings a twitchy dual-threat element that could intrigue the coaching staff. But he’s also untested at this level, and missing spring ball means he’ll be playing catch-up from day one.
Still, if neither Daniels nor Sperry takes a firm hold of the job in the spring, Marshall could enter fall camp with a real shot to make things interesting. His skill set may offer the best blend of traits - enough athleticism to create, and enough arm talent to execute the offense.
Looking ahead to Week Zero
Florida State opens the season against New Mexico State in Week Zero, which puts a little extra pressure on the quarterback battle to sort itself out quickly. But if the competition remains unsettled through spring, don’t be surprised if it stretches into the summer - and potentially into the early weeks of the season.
Norvell has options, but what he’s really looking for is clarity. He doesn’t need a superstar - he needs someone who can run the offense, make the right reads, and keep the chains moving.
If one of these quarterbacks can deliver that, they’ll have the inside track. If not, this could be one of the more intriguing QB battles in the country as we head toward fall.