Mike Norvell opens up on where Florida State’s recruiting foundation stands

The Florida State Seminoles had a monster year and have just capped it off with a monster 2024 National Signing Day. The Seminoles finished the 2023 season undefeated and as champions of the ACC. And on Wednesday, Florida State capped off the afternoon with the No. 11 class in the nation.

Following National Signing Day, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell appeared as a guest on the Andy Staples On3 Podcast. There, the Seminoles headman explained what he is looking for when on the recruiting trail and the status of the program’s high school recruiting foundation.

“For us, it’s about finding the right fit,” said Norvell. “I’ve said that for the last few years. But ultimately, it’s about addressing the needs that we have. We always want to be able to start there at the high school level and finding the right guys. I think, when you look at this last year, we had 25 all-conference players, and that’s the most ever in Florida State history. And right around half of them were guys that have developed through high school ranks, and the other half were guys that have come through the transfer portal. So we found a good balance and a good mix.”

The 2023 season for Florida State is the perfect example for Novell of his program finding balance in the talent that they’ve recruited from the high school level and the NCAA transfer portal. And Norvell wants to continue that rhythm with the 2024 class and the classes in the years to follow.

“Now, coming into this year’s signing class, these have been guys that we’ve identified, that built relationships, guys that have watched this program grow, and [are] some of the best at their position within the country. They’re coming to be a part of what has been built. And obviously, we’re excited about where they’re gonna continue to help this program go.”

Speaking of the NCAA transfer portal, Norvell has been hard at work attempting to bring in former Washington State star quarterback Cam Ward. Ward has demonstrated the ability to be a high-level field general at his two previous stops with Washington State and the Division II program, the Incarnate Word, in San Antonio, TX.

Should Norvell convince the star transfer quarterback to join his program, not only would he have found someone to replace Jordan Travis but also bring in a talent such as last year’s transfer portal acquisition wide receiver Keon Coleman, who has the potential to dominate the ACC in the same fashion.