FSU football: Nole turnover issues extend through multiple years
By Kelvin Hunt
Importance of AJ Duffy
I know Travis Hunter Jr. is the guy that will likely help hold the 2022 recruiting class together more than anyone. He’s a generational talent, but the other commit the coaches MUST sign in the 2022 recruiting cycle is AJ Duffy. FSU hasn’t signed a quarterback with legitimate NFL caliber talent since Jameis Winston.
No, Deondre Francois was not going to be an NFL player even before the injury suffered against Alabama. We understand recruiting rankings aren’t fool-proof, and AJ Duffy could wind up not living up to his ranking. However, the film says otherwise, and he could be the offensive player needed to get this offense back to respectability.
All of the other first-year coaches that had decent offenses in 2020 found success because they had at least decent quarterback play. I respect what Jordan Travis did in 2020, as he laid his body on the line for the Noles to win three games.
However, he’s not a quarterback, and I don’t care how much people try to tell me he improved as a passer. It’s not showing up in the games. McKenzie Milton has a great story, and I respect what he has overcome over the last three years.
However, it’s clear he isn’t close to what he once was, and that’s no knock on him. It’s reality, and the coaching staff has not consistently put either guy in the best position for success. Players need a guy they can believe in at quarterback, and that is something Duffy could potentially bring to the table as a blue-chip recruit with a fresh slate in 2022.
If he signs with FSU, he plans to enroll early last I heard, which would give him a decent shot to play as a freshman.