Can Mike Norvell save FSU football? Biggest questions facing Seminoles

Jul 13, 2026 - 14:55

0 1

Can Mike Norvell save FSU football? Biggest questions facing Seminoles

As the dog days of summer pass by, the anticipation and the hunger for college football grow. Sure, the appetite for Florida State football might be a bit less than in years past, but the Seminoles' program enters the 2026 season with plenty of intrigue.

Significant staff changes, front office additions and a roster overhaul highlighted the Seminoles' offseason. Gus Malzahn's retirement led to one of the most significant changes as head coach Mike Norvell returned to the play-calling seat alongside newly promoted offensive coordinator Tim Harris.

It is a move that leaves Norvell with his future in his hands.

The Seminoles have obviously underperformed since the peak of 2023, going 7-17 in the last two seasons and winless on the road since a victory over Florida in November 2023. It has piled significant pressure onto Norvell, whose over-$50 million buyout looms if the Seminoles fail to meet expectations once again.

With the majority of preseason camps across the country set to start in early August ahead of week 0/1 kickoff, here are a few questions that the Seminoles need to answer in the preseason.

How prepared is the Seminoles offense with Ashton Daniels?

Ashton Daniels was named the starting quarterback after a brief spring competition with redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry. Daniels, a redshirt-senior transfer from Auburn, was brought into the program with the expectation of being the starter, so it wasn't a surprise to see him earn the job, but now he has to prove the program's investment into him will provide a winning return.

Daniels's arrival was met with a mixed reaction from the fanbase, but internally the Seminoles believe in the signal caller and the talent surrounding him. He spent three seasons at Stanford, with two years as a starter, and spent last year at Auburn, appearing in four games with three starts.

Quarterback Ashton Daniels takes snaps as Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.

He went 68-for-119 passing for 797 yards and three touchdowns while adding 280 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his four appearances.

He had back-to-back standout games to close the season, passing for 353 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing for 89 yards and two scores in an overtime loss to Vanderbilt. He followed that up by throwing for 259 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 108 in a loss to Alabama.

Those are the games that FSU will look to get out of him consistently. With receivers like Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy, and running backs Tre Wisnor and Ousmane Kromah, the talent is there.

It's on Daniels and the players to execute Norvell's calls. That connection and trust will be built in preseason camp, and the Seminoles' offense needs to be sharp with a Week 0 kickoff against New Mexico State.

Does FSU have the proper personnel in the trenches?

While success offensively likely rests on Daniels, the offensive line is not free of questions. It's the second straight season that the Seminoles have rebuilt the offensive line through the transfer portal, and while it proved successful last season, can the program get lightning to strike twice under Herb Hand?

FSU brought in five offensive line transfers, and while there are players who have been on the roster that could compete for starting reps, the majority of the line will likely be constructed from the portal pieces. One of the biggest additions comes with the added bonus of playing with Daniels, with Auburn transfer offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin.

The 6-foot-8, 346-pound Chaplin was arguably the most important piece in the Seminoles' transfer class. He will shore up the line, though he was flagged 12 times last season for Auburn, which is something to monitor. Alongside him, FSU added Chimdia Nwaiwu (Stephen F. Austin), Nate Pabst (Bowling Green), Paul Bowling (Troy) and Bradyn Welch-Joiner (Purdue).

Joiner will be expected to take the center reins from Luke Petitbon, who spent one successful season in Tallahassee, but he can also play guard. The chemistry and the fit of the offensive line have to be good if the Seminoles want any chance of having a consistent offense, especially with Daniels being the third new starting quarterback in as many seasons.

Offensive lineman Andre' Otto runs a drill as Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.

A lot of the foundations for the unit have already been set, but preseason camp will be crucial in getting the Seminoles' best unit on the field against New Mexico State.

Is the Seminoles' defense prepared to take a needed leap?

FSU's defense, statistically, produced results last season. Ranked 28th by the NCAA, it was a strong year on paper, but there was plenty of meat left on the bone, and performances against Virginia and Florida highlighted some of the deficiencies.

The inability to convert third-down stops and tackling issues allowed teams to rip off double-digit play drives and explosive plays with regularity. In the 46-38 loss to Virginia, the Cavs scored three touchdowns on drives of 12 plays or more. Facing Florida, Gator running back Jadan Baugh single-handedly carved open the Seminoles for 268 yards and two touchdowns, with significant yards after contact in that game, a 40-21 loss.

FSU overhauled its defense and added players like linebacker Chris Jones from Southern Miss and Duke transfer defensive back Ma'Khi Jones, among a host of other players. While the names might not be the flashiest, what they do bring is a more natural fit and mold for White's 3-3-5 system.

EDGE Rylan Kennedy runs during a drill as Florida State held a spring football practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.

Spring was the appetizer for the transfers, but the main course for the defense will be served up in preseason. Versatile edge Rylan Kennedy will operate in the JACK role, a hybrid lineman and linebacker role, and his growth in the weeks ahead of kickoff will be important.

The progress of returning players like Darryll and Mandrell Desir, Quindarius Jones, Ashlynd Barker, Ja'Bril Rawls, among others, will also give us a peek into the continuity being built defensively. Those are the players that can help FSU take a needed leap defensively.

What is the overall health of the team?

Arguably the most important question for any team in the preseason is the health of the players.

FSU had a few players miss a chunk of time during spring workouts, most notably Rawls and Q. Jones (who were recovering from injuries from the previous season) and talented freshman defensive lineman Cam Brooks, who had an Achilles injury that will keep him out for most of his first collegiate season.

The majority of players who missed time in the spring should be available come preseason camp. Any surprise injuries over the offseason or early in the preseason will be keenly watched as the Seminoles ramp up for a crucial season in year three under Norvell.