Mike Norvell provides thoughts on backup quarterback competition

The Florida State Seminoles entered this offseason with no question about who their starting quarterback would be in 2023. Quarterback Jordan Travis had a breakout year in 2022 and looks to ascend his game next year. But who will be Travis’ primary backup in case anything happens next year? Well, the answer to that question is one of the few head coach Mike Norvell has been trying to figure out during spring practice. Following the Seminoles’ spring game, Norvell provided his thoughts on the backup quarterback competition as Florida State heads into the summer.

“Some was decision-making. There’s a couple of plays where guys really tried to do almost too much in the moment; sometimes, the best play is an incompletion,” said Norvell. “And there’s all different things that will show up in spring ball: a guy has a mistake or doesn’t win or whatever might show up — just being able to show the reactionary process of what you’re going to do and your ownership of the downs (and) the situation.

“Then there’s times where when it’s there, you gotta stick, step, throw, and put the ball where it needs to be. And that was done really well on some plays, and there were some plays where we had misses.”

Redshirt junior Tate Rodemaker was Travis’ backup last season, but that all could change if one of the younger players rises to the occasion before the start of the 2023 season. Rodemaker has been in competition with redshirt freshman Dylan McNamara and AJ Duffy, along with true freshmen Brock Glenn.

While nobody, in particular, has impressed Norvell in the spring so far, he does not put all the onus on the quarterback. The Seminoles’ headman understands that it is 11 players on the field, and everyone needs to be in the right place at the right time in order for the team to be successful.

“It’s easy to sit there and watch a quarterback and say, well, this is not good, or that’s not good. As you get a chance to get a sense of the bigger picture, it takes 10 guys around it to be where they need to be for rhythm and timing. Now, if somebody is too deep on a route, (or) if somebody is upfront; there’s a lot of things that might flash and adjust, but that’s part of the learning process for these quarterbacks.”

“They’re all very talented. They all showcased the ability and talent that they have, but you’re just looking for that consistency. As we continue to add installation for that one position for an entire offense, with some new faces, it’s that whole control command that I’m looking for. And that was some of the ups and downs today.”

There’s still time for Norvell and Florida State to figure out their backup quarterback conundrum before the start of the 2023 season. But if they’re going to do so, the sooner, the better. Because the first game of the 2023 season will be against the LSU Tigers, who would like nothing more than to get revenge from their loss to open the 2022 season.

Figuring out who your backup quarterback is might not be as essential as figuring out your starters. But the less you have to identify once the season starts, the better.