“High tide covers up ugly rocks and low tide exposes them.” This was Florida State’s Athletic Director Michael Alford, criticizing Florida State football’s fall from grace in just one season. No one would have even thought in their dream that a team that had an unbeaten regular season in 2023 would manage to win just two games the next season. A program that had historically been at the forefront of being the ‘force’ in college football would sit alongside Kent State in offense rankings. There are many things to blame, but only one person to take responsibility.
Mike Norvell isn’t a bad coach. In fact, he can make do with the things he gets. Someone whose offensive expertise and program-building skills are unparalleled. Just look at the Texans native’s 2020 season, where he took a struggling program like FSU after Jimbo Fisher’s abrupt departure. He not only led the program to a 10-3 season in 2022 but also has a player development strategy to plan for the long term. But, then, who is to blame for the 2024 season?
Recruiting at FSU has been pretty weak over the years, and the recent recruiting classes haven’t shown up on the top ten list, even far behind rivals like Clemson and Miami. In addition, the staff recruitment wasn’t too great at FSU last season, as most of the defensive staff was let go by Mike Norvell, and other coaches were relieved from their duties. So, Mike Norvell may not be the best people ‘identifier’ in the business. This is evident from the two players’ recent decision to transfer lists and seek pastures anew.
FSU offensive lineman Jaylen Early has recently announced his plans to enter the transfer portal (per ON3). The 6’4″ and 305 lb lineman will be sorely missed as the O line last year had immense struggles, and couldn’t protect their QB at all. Sacks plagued the QBs, pressures were created, and the O-line faltered like a house of cards. The lineman who had appeared in 17 games in total in his time at Tallahassee will be leaving with 2 years of eligibility and will force Mike Norvell to look into the transfer portal.
Brian Smith, an FSU insider and host of ‘Locked on Seminoles,’ echoed some of the same concerns. “The transfer portal dates are the 16th through the 25th. Kids can announce they’re leaving, and that’s fine, they (FSU) cannot do the official paperwork or the digital work, however. It works now with the NCAA on the transfer portal until the 16th but whatever it’ll get processed, then can they find a way through to get at least one more guy in the portal this spring, they need to…”
This is the major concern with FSU, which is increasingly likely to be losing its already experienced players on the roster. Take, for example, another player, Trever Jackson, who also has announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. The QB who came in the 2024 recruiting class and was a three-star recruit at the time. The Winter Garden, Florida native, red-shirted in his first year and failed to see any starts or appearances. That may be the reason the QB would be leaving. But, with all of these departures, the consequences will still be there.
More consequences for Mike Norvell after the latest verdict?
FSU’s offensive line had struggles throughout the season, as whoever the Seminoles put at the QB position, the O-line failed to protect. Luke Kromenhoek, Brock Glenn, or even DJ Uiagalelei, the O-line failed to turn up for any of them. Now, with Early’s departure, Mike Norvell must face an extremely tough scenario.
Brian Smith spoke about the situation that Mike Norvell put himself in after Early’s departure. “You would rather have the player that already knows your system, knows the school, knows the locker room, knows the coaching staff. So losing Jaylen early to me is a big loss. Now, was he a superstar? No, because last year he wasn’t that great, but Florida State is just not in a position to lose any offensive linemen, even players that aren’t as good as Jaylen Early“.
When the 2025 off-season started, Mike Norvell roped in 4 portal signees: Gunner Hansen from Vanderbilt, Micah Pettus from Ole Miss, Adrian Medley from UCF, and Luke Petitbon from Wake Forest. The additions are solid, but Mike Norvell must have expected that the returning OLs with experience, including Jaylen Early, would provide the depth. But now, the head coach must face a grim scenario.
The O-line last year was the worst unit in the country for FSU as the program finished with its worst record since 1974. But the 2025 season could be something else and show improvement. The head coach has fired the O-line coach, Alex Atkins, and has now hired Herb Hand from UCF, who will have a great relationship with the incoming transfer, Adrian Medley. Right now, the team is left with 5 returning OLs with experience: TJ Ferguson, Lucas Simmons, Richie Leonard, Jacob Roizy, and Bryson Estes. What Mike Norvell needs is some great portal additions now, and also to keep his players from leaving. If he can do that, then the team might think of changing their fortunes in the 2025 season at last.
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