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Mike Norvell takes high road when asked about Deion Sanders: 'We're definitely happy for him'

On3 imageby:Ira Schoffel•02/23/23•

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FSU coach Mike Norvell. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While many Florida State Seminoles are still salty over the way Deion Sanders flipped five-star cornerback Travis Hunter on National Signing Day in December 2021, Mike Norvell does not appear to be one of them.

During an appearance Thursday on the “All Things Covered” podcast, featuring former Florida State and NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden and current NFL cornerback Patrick Peterson, Norvell was asked how he plans to battle Sanders for recruits in the state of Florida.

And the current Seminoles head coach was effusive in his praise for Sanders, who he said is, “doing great things in the coaching profession.” But Norvell added that Florida State’s coaching staff is confident in its recruiting ability as well.

“As a Florida State Seminole, we’re definitely happy for him — the track of his career and where that’s going in the coaching world,” Norvell said of Sanders. “It’s all about competition. We’re gonna be true to who we are. Obviously, we’re really excited about what we’ve been able to do, who we’ve been able to attract. Making sure that we get guys that fit this program and embrace the way that we do things.”

When Hunter backed out of his longtime commitment to Florida State, Sanders was coaching at FCS program Jackson State. Now, the former FSU multi-sport star is at a Power 5 program with the Colorado Buffaloes, leading many to believe his new program will be a recruiting juggernaut.

While Sanders, who went on to play Major League Baseball and star in the NFL after his playing days in Tallahassee, is expected to be a force on the recruiting trail, Norvell said the Seminoles can’t afford to worry about one program trying to take recruits out of the Sunshine State.

“That is one school with one coach,” Norvell said. “There’s a lot of people that are trying to come into Florida to try to get the best that we have. One of the things that I’ve been really proud of and excited about is just the type of players that we’re able to keep in this state.

“It was a big point of emphasis here this last year, and I thought we were able to do a great job with that in the guys that we were able to keep home.”

Florida State is currently ranked No. 8 in the team recruiting class rankings for 2024 with nine commitments. Colorado has five commitments and is ranked No. 24 by the On3 Consensus.

Also during Norvell’s interview on the “All Things Covered” podcast, the head coach spoke about sweeping rivals Florida and Miami last season, Jordan Travis’ development at quarterback, expectations for 2023 and more. You can watch the entire interview below:

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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