Florida State football’s 2025 season ended with a disappointing 5-7 record - a tough pill to swallow for a program still trying to find its footing after a 2-10 campaign the year before. That’s not the kind of progress Seminole fans were hoping for, especially when you consider the broader landscape: Miami surged all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and Florida brought in new leadership with Jon Sumrall at the helm.
In Tallahassee, the decision to retain head coach Mike Norvell raised eyebrows. After back-to-back losing seasons, the move wasn’t exactly met with overwhelming support from the fan base. But the administration stuck with him, betting on continuity over a hard reset.
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Norvell’s return? Recruiting - specifically at the high school level.
It’s no secret that Miami’s Mario Cristobal has made a name for himself as a relentless recruiter, especially in the trenches. The Hurricanes have made it a point to dominate in-state recruiting battles, and under Cristobal, they’ve leaned into the “come back to the crib” mantra, selling the idea of building something special right at home in South Florida.
And it’s working. Miami’s recruiting efforts have picked up serious steam, especially with the evolving NIL landscape giving programs new tools to attract top-tier talent. The Hurricanes have embraced this new era, and it's showing up in both their roster and results.
Cristobal recently addressed the topic of recruiting in an interview with J.D. PicKell, saying:
“We don’t get into negative recruiting, but people always negative recruit us and that’s fine. No one should ever take that personally. Let’s just let it play out.”
That’s a diplomatic answer - and a savvy one. But let’s be real: negative recruiting is part of the game. Whether it’s subtle digs or full-on comparisons, coaches across the country use every advantage they can to sway a recruit’s decision, especially in a talent-rich state like Florida where the competition is fierce and every blue-chip player matters.
For Florida State, the challenge isn’t just keeping pace - it’s reestablishing itself as a destination program. That means leaning into its history, showcasing the legacy of Doak Campbell Stadium, and reminding recruits of the championship banners that still hang in Tallahassee. There’s a story to tell, and Norvell’s staff needs to tell it well - especially when going head-to-head with a Miami program that just made a deep postseason run and is gaining momentum fast.
Credit where it’s due: Cristobal and the Hurricanes had a strong 2025 campaign. But in-state rivalries never stay one-sided for long. Florida State has work to do, no doubt, but if they can shore up recruiting and translate that into wins - especially in that annual matchup in Coral Gables - the tide could turn quicker than expected.
The Seminoles may be down, but in a state where college football rivalries are always burning hot, they’re never out for long.