Mike Norvell on McKenzie Milton, Jordan Travis in Florida State scrimmage

Florida State is coming off of a 3-6 record last season. As they head into this year, there are questions about who will be Florida State’s starting quarterback, Jordan Travis or McKenzie Milton? Travis returns as last year’s starter, and Milton transferred in from Central Florida. In Saturday’s scrimmage, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was impressed with both signal-callers.

Milton, Travis showed explosiveness in latest scrimmage

Travis returns to the Seminoles after starting six games last season. He completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,056 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. Travis also ran for 559 yards and seven touchdowns. Milton is returning to the football field for the first time since the 2018 season due to a major leg injury. In three seasons at UCF, Milton threw for 8,683 yards, 72 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, adding 1,078 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.

Despite the familiarity that Travis has in the offense, it is unclear who will open the season as Florida State’s quarterback. Milton has seen great success as a starter in college football. UCF did not lose a game in Milton’s 23 starts from 2017-2018.

Saturday’s scrimmage was a good one for both Travis and Milton, encouraging the Florida State coaches. Both made mistakes, but the explosiveness was on display.

“Offensively, had some mistakes early that we just can’t have,” Norvell said. “We’re in some long-yardage situations. Took a couple of negative plays I didn’t think we needed to take. But it’s going to be great film and opportunities to learn and grow from. I thought the offense rebounded as the scrimmage went on and really finished up well. I mean there’s some explosive plays. I thought both Jordan and McKenzie had some explosiveness that definitely was great to see.”

Scrimmages pose as valuable learning opportunities for quarterbacks

Norvell said that these preseason scrimmages are very valuable in evaluating a quarterback. In addition to Milton and Travis, young quarterbacks Chubba Purdy and Tate Rodemaker were able to get some valuable experience for Florida State.

“Quite a bit,” Norvell said when asked if performances in scrimmages carry weight. “It’s something that it’s when you get coaches off the field, you get an opportunity to see those guys have to read and react and play fast. Jordan and McKenzie definitely played to the level that we want to see them play. Chubba and Tate, both had some young guy mistakes. We kind of forget that those guys are just essentially redshirt freshman right now going into their redshirt freshman years. There were some plays that they needed to have, and needed to be able to gain that experience. They both had a couple of explosive plays.

“But I think Jordan and McKenzie showed up well tonight and moved the offense. The young guys, they’ve got to continue to grow and build upon the reps that they’re getting. I think it’s a really good group. I would say that Jordan, McKenzie probably had the better nights of those guys.”