Mike Norvell on Florida State ahead of 2024: 'There's a hunger to see what this team can be'

Florida State had an incredible season in 2023, but it ended in disappointment as the Seminoles came up just short of reaching the College Football Playoff, before being blown out by Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

The goal for the Seminoles in 2024 is to go undefeated in the regular season once again and leave no doubt that Florida State is a playoff team.

Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell told College Sports on SiriusXM that his team is incredibly motivated ahead of the upcoming season.

“There’s no lack of edge when it comes to our team. I mean there is a hunger for improvement. There’s a hunger to see what this team can be, because that’s our objective,” Mike Norvell said. “If you ask any player, the objective of Florida State football is to go get better, to be better, than what we’ve been.”

Florida State lost plenty of talent off of last year’s team, including star quarterback Jordan Travis, star receiver Keon Coleman and star EDGE Jared Verse.

Florida State only returns eight starters from the 2023 season, but Norvell insists there’s still plenty of talent coming back.

“There are some new faces, but there are also some guys that have been a part of the program, a lot of guys – 80 guys — that are returning on this team that were a part of last year’s,” Norvell said. “But there’s some new faces that are going to be key contributors. But it’s still about what this team can do. … You know, it’s 4 and 4 returning starters, but you also have guys that played so much football.”

A couple of players in particular that are moving into larger roles are DJ Lundy and Azareye’h Thomas.

“I mean last year you only had one or two defensive linemen that were over 50 percent of the reps. So we’ve got guys that have played a lot of football,” Norvell said. “DJ Lundy, I think, will be one of the best linebackers in the league. And he was not classified as a starter last year, because you had Kalen [DeLoach] and Tatum [Bethune].

“And Azareye’h Thomas, same thing. I think he’ll be one of the best corners in college football, and he was our third corner. But he played so many snaps. He has great experience. But now he has a chance to go be the guy. It’s still about continuing to grow and develop the depth and those key playmakers have got to show up on a consistent basis.”