Florida State didn’t bring in Malachi Marshall expecting him to jump to the front of the line right away. But a few months into his time in Tallahassee, the JUCO Player of the Year and national champion quarterback has forced a quicker conversation than most people saw coming.
Marshall arrived in February with the idea that he’d likely be a longer-term piece for the Seminoles, especially with Ashton Daniels already in place as the starter and Kevin Sperry bringing a year in the offense. He also came in as a junior with redshirt eligibility, which gave Florida State the option to keep him around for three seasons instead of two.
That framework changed once Marshall got on campus. He didn’t enroll until the summer, missed a few preseason practices because of injury, and still managed to make a strong impression on the staff with his passing ability and feel for the game.
The NCAA’s new 5-for-5 eligibility rule also altered the equation, since Marshall no longer needs a redshirt to stay at Florida State for three years. That means the Seminoles can use him whenever they need him, without worrying about a four-game limit.
Mike Norvell has been consistent in his praise, and he kept that tone going this week as Florida State prepared for its opener.
"He's done a great job coming in," Norvell said. "Just like anybody coming in late May, June it's a tidal wave of information, and just for all that he's had to consume, the work that he's had to put in, learning a new language, obviously, the repetition, making sure that you can go out there and just operate the way that he has, it's been impressive. I like the way that he's performed."
Norvell said Marshall has gone beyond what the staff expected, and the quarterback has also added 18 pounds since arriving. He’s listed at 168 pounds on the roster, so that puts him somewhere in the mid 180s now.
"I think Malachi has actually, I mean, he's come in and to say he exceeded expectations," Norvell said. "I've been really pleased with what I've seen."
"Even his physical development. He's not the biggest guy in the world," Norvell added. "He's already gained 18 pounds since he's been here, being able to help some of the concerns that I had when he first came in, but now that you don't have the redshirt and there's 3 years, he's put himself in a position to be able to play, and I'm definitely excited about his continued growth."
The quarterback picture behind Daniels still isn’t settled. Marshall and Sperry are competing for the backup role, and Norvell hasn’t named a QB2 yet. Florida State also won’t be releasing a public depth chart this season except on game days.
Sperry has had an uneven preseason, but Norvell said the competition between the two has helped both players.
"I think Kevin (Sperry) is continuing to grow and continuing to show his ability," Norvell said. "There were some up-and-down days there for him early in camp, which I kind of alluded to, but I think those guys have really helped pick each other up, and I like that quarterback room of how they are together."
"It is competition, and ultimately, we know Ashton's (Daniels) the starting quarterback, and he's going out there and everything that he can do to put us in a position to win," Norvell continued.
Even with Daniels locked in as the starter, Marshall and Sperry still have to stay ready. One snap can change the entire depth chart in a hurry.
"If something happens, obviously, guys are battling to see that they're showing the trust, that they're showing the capability, that they're going to have a football team that's ready to rally behind the things that they've shown in practice, in preparation, and what they're doing," Norvell said. "I think we've got a great group in that."
Florida State opens the 2026 season against the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday, August 29, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET on The CW.
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