After back-to-back disappointing seasons - a 2-10 campaign in 2024 followed by a 5-7 finish in 2025 - Florida State football finds itself at a crossroads. This is a program steeped in tradition, one that expects to be in the national spotlight, not watching its arch-rival Miami punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff. That stings in Tallahassee, and the pressure is starting to mount.
Despite the recent slide, Florida State is sticking with head coach Mike Norvell. That decision hasn’t exactly thrilled everyone in the Seminole fan base, but it’s not without merit.
Norvell’s résumé includes a 10-3 season in 2022 and a 13-1 run in 2023 - proof that he knows how to build a winner when the pieces are in place. The question now is whether he can do it again, and fast.
One of the biggest hurdles has been the quarterback position. The transfer portal has not been kind to Florida State in recent cycles.
DJ Uiagalelei and Thomas Castellanos both had their moments, but neither managed to elevate the offense to the level needed to compete in today’s high-octane college football landscape. And in a sport where elite quarterback play can be the difference between mediocrity and championship contention, that’s a problem that needs solving - quickly.
The next opportunity comes on January 2, when the transfer portal reopens and programs across the country begin their full-court press on the top quarterbacks available. But here’s the catch: the market is getting expensive. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the top-tier quarterbacks are reportedly seeking NIL deals in the $4-5 million range - a sharp jump from last year’s $2-3 million going rate.
That kind of price tag raises tough questions for Florida State. Are they willing - or even able - to play in that financial ballpark?
If not, the Seminoles may have to pivot. That could mean rolling the dice on a younger, less experienced option like Kevin Sperry, and instead investing NIL resources in building up the roster around him - particularly in the trenches, where championship teams are quietly built.
There’s also the idea of developing the talent already on campus. If the Seminoles can retain and develop young playmakers like Lawayne McCoy and Micahi Danzy, and perhaps even lure back a dynamic pass catcher like Duce Robinson, they might be able to build something more sustainable - even if it means taking a hit in the short term at quarterback.
Still, it’s a gamble. We’ve seen time and again how transformative elite quarterback play can be.
If there’s a true difference-maker in the portal - someone who could turn this team into an instant contender - then you go get him. You figure out the finances, manage the locker room dynamics, and deal with the fallout later.
Because the window for Florida State to reclaim its place among the nation’s elite isn’t going to stay open forever.
This offseason is shaping up to be a defining moment for the Seminoles. Whether they swing big in the portal or double down on development, the decisions made in the coming weeks will set the tone for 2026 and beyond.