How Mike Norvell pushed Jordan Travis to envision winning the Heisman

Some coaches encourage players to not think about winning personal awards, such as the Heisman trophy. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell took an entirely different approach with star quarterback Jordan Travis.

As FSU was finishing up spring practice ahead of the 2022 season, Norvell met with Travis. His goal was to let Travis know just how much he believes in him.

“We were finishing up spring and Jordan — I had had a full year with him to be able to kind of see the way he worked, the things that he had done. And I just believe in him,” Norvell said at the ACC Football Kickoff event last month. “I believe in the young man. I believe in his heart. I believe in the ability. We talked about some things that he would need to do to continue to grow. Whenever we were finishing the meeting, I told him, I said, ‘I want you to go and walk into that lobby and take a look at those trophies.’”

Florida State has three Heisman winners in Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke and Jameis Winston. Norvell feels that Travis has everything it takes to be the next one.

“I fully believe that he has the talent to be able to win one of those,” Norvell said.

Jordan Travis had an exceptional season in 2022, passing for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. He also rushed for 417 yards and seven scores.

Norvell expects him to be even better in 2023 with another year under his belt.

“Obviously last year he took some positive steps in that direction, and now he’s in the conversation,” Norvell said. “But even today, it’s not about the trophy for Jordan. It’s about being all that he can be as a player but equally as much as a teammate and to help this football team. Because that’s what makes him special. But I did want him to hear from me where I thought he could go. He’s proven me right.”

Mike Norvell shares how loss to NC State continues to drive Jordan Travis

The 2022 season was overall a successful one for Jordan Travis and Florida State, but there was a tough stretch in October that kept it from being special.

The Seminoles loss three straight games — falling to Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson on Oct. 1, 8 and 15. The loss to the Wolfpack was arguably the most gut-wrenching as Florida State led 17-3 at halftime and appeared to be in control.

Instead, NC State came storming back without its starting QB, and Seminoles star quarterback Jordan Travis threw an interception in the final seconds to cap off a scoreless second half for the Seminoles. FSU lost the game 19-17.

Seminoles coach Mike Norvell spoke at the ACC Football Kickoff event about how he saw Travis respond from that moment forward.

“Nobody wants to be in a position where that last play is one that leaves a negative taste or a negative feel, but it’s how you receive it,” Norvell said. “He’s a remarkable young man. I always tell our players that your response is what’s going to determine the identity. Anybody can say what they want to say, but how you show up, the actions that you have. And he just continued to push. He continued to work.”