Mike Norvell on Jordan Travis’ metamorphosis: ‘Nothing he’s done has surprised me’

Florida State coach Mike Norvell saw the potential in quarterback Jordan Travis from the moment the coach arrived on campus in 2020. Three years later, Travis has lived up to his expectations and then some.

The quarterback had the best season of his college career in 2022, breaking out for a career-high 3,214 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. He helped lead the Seminoles to their first 10-win season since 2016 and now has them receiving ACC Championship and College Football Playoff buzz entering 2023.

Speaking with On3‘s Andy Staples, Norvell explained how Travis’ success is a testament to the work he’s put in over the years. Even coming off of last season’s spectacular performance, the coach wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to see him take another leap forward.

“It truly came down to work,” Norvell explained. “We had a great plan in helping Jordan develop to build confidence in what we were asking him to do. We’re a rhythm-based passing offense and I think that’s something that Jordan thrives in. He’s an extremely smart quarterback. He understands progressions. He understands protections and where the ball needs to go in a very quick process in his mind. As he’s worked through it, he’s had to go through the highs and lows of playing quarterback. He’s experienced it all, but he’s never backed off. He’s continued to push.

“I’ve had the utmost confidence in where he would develop and what he would grow into. Nothing that he’s done has surprised me. I’ve set the highest expectations for him and I believe the sky’s the limit for what he can accomplish not only in his final year here at Florida State but for in his future because of the work he’s willing to put in.”

Travis arrived in Tallahassee as a transfer in 2019 after spending his true freshman season at Louisville. He played only four games that year but flashed his potential by becoming the first player in FSU history with a 60-yard pass completion and 60-yard rush in the same game.

When Norvell arrived in 2020, Travis began the season as a backup to James Blackman. However, he earned his first start by Week 5 in a marquee matchup against No. 5 Notre Dame, throwing for 204 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 96 yards and a score in a 42-26 loss. Travis started the final six games of that season, leading the Seminoles to a 2-4 record.

That set the stage for Travis to take over as the starter in 2021, but he again faced competition in the form of UCF transfer McKenzie Milton. Travis started Week 1 but completed just 47.4% of his passes and threw for three interceptions in a narrow 41-38 loss to Notre Dame. He was benched the following week and would continue to back up Milton for the next three games.

But after the Seminoles started off 0-4, Norvell turned back to Travis. It immediately paid off as FSU reeled off three straight wins and went 5-3 down the stretch to finish out the year strong. Norvell believes that Travis’ ability to go through that adversity and prove himself shows just how special of a player he is.

“I think that’s what makes him a leader,” the coach said. “When you’re willing to do the hard things. When you’re willing to push yourself and when you get knocked down, get up and continue to stay focused on the journey. That’s what he’s lived out and he’s a special player and a special man.”

Now as he enters his fifth year at Florida State, Travis is tied with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers for the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. That’s something that only three other Seminoles quarterbacks — Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke and Jameis Winston — have accomplished.

Travis has already surpassed Ward for the most rushing yards (1,734) and touchdowns (24) from a quarterback in Florida State history. Norvell took him to the trophy case two springs ago to view the Heismans that those players won with the hope that the quarterback would believe he’s next up.

Now a couple of years later, Travis is as close as he’s ever been to making that reality.

“I hope that he did (believe he can win it),” Norvell said. “I would say the work that we’ve seen and the way that he’s grown, I would say that he did. He just might’ve needed somebody else to also know that they were gonna be a part of that journey with him. I believe in him. I think he’s got great talent. He’s got great ability, great character. He cares about others.

“When you have those traits and work ethic behind it that’s gonna be willing to push and as we’ve built the supporting cast around him, it’s really just all come together for him. You see that in the way that he plays and also in the way that he prepares on a daily basis.”