Mike Norvell’s rebuild has Florida State in position to make CFP push in 2023

In 2013, Jimbo Fisher led Florida State to a BCS National Championship. The next year, he led the Seminoles to an appearance in the first College Football Playoff. However, over the next couple seasons, the team took a step back before he left for Texas A&M. He was replaced by Willie Taggart, who struggled and was quickly replaced by head coach Mike Norvell.

Inheriting a team that needed work, Norvell had to deal with issues like the pandemic while rebuilding Florida State. In 2022, the team arrived, winning 10 games and the Cheez-It Bowl. Now, Norvell and Florida State are entering 2023 with massive expectations.

During an appearance on the Move the Sticks podcast, Bruce Feldman explained that Mike Norvell has rebuilt Florida State, putting the Seminoles in a position to make a College Football Playoff push in 2023.

“I think Mike Norvell and his staff have done an amazing job,” Feldman said. “We talk about getting out of the ditch, Florida State toward the end of Jimbo Fisher had just fallen apart, especially on the offensive line. It’s been a lot of three steps forward, one step back. I think Jordan Travis has really continued to get better and better.”

Transfer quarterback Jordan Travis proved to be huge in Florida State’s success. Of course, he’s far from the only key transfer that the Seminoles have relied on.

“I love some of the transfers. I know, DJ [Daniel Jeremiah] you mentioned Jared Verse, I mean, Albany State. The other Albany State, the Great Danes, not the one where you occasionally get some NFL players, and it’s a win that they were able to get him to stay because I suspect he would have been a first-round pick.”

Both hosts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks were surprised that Verse stayed in Tallahassee instead of going to the NFL. However, as Feldman pointed out, NIL played a factor in that decision.

“I doubt that ever happens if there’s not NIL the way it is now,” Feldman said.

“And they have really good receivers. Johnny Wilson, who was at Oregon, is a real difference maker, you know, in terms of just dimensions. So, I think they can hang their hat on that. I think he’s [Norvell] recruited well. Florida State has gotten buzzy again in terms of, I think, recruits were like, ‘probably, hey, I’m gonna go to the SEC.’ Now, I think they’re listening more and have been for a little while, and certainly transfers have.”

Between recruiting and player development, it’s clear that Mike Norvell has Florida State ready to compete for the ACC and even push for the College Football Playoff.

“I don’t think — for a while it felt like it was Clemson and then everybody else in the ACC,” Feldman said. “And there’s some good teams, like NC State has had talent, obviously, UNC still has Drake Maye, but to me, Florida State I think this is a team that has a chance, a legit chance, to be a Playoff team.”

Mike Norvell on his approach to the transfer portal

To find success in the transfer portal, Mike Norvell has had a simple approach. He needs to find players who fit what the Seminoles want to accomplish.

“Last year, I think it was 65% of the of the signees that we had were high school or high school players. But you know, the guys that we’re bringing in as transfers, they’re the right fit. They’re great players, great young men. They embrace the culture that we have, and they’re really good,” Norvell said.

“It’s exciting for us, because everybody’s got a different path. And, ultimately, we’re looking for the best bit of guys that can come in and help our football team and I think we’ve done a really good job within our evaluation of who it is that that kind of fits that bill.”