The 2022 recruiting cycle for FSU football has been anything but smooth. However, one position the coaching staff nailed down was arguably the most important one with the signing of four-star QB AJ Duffy.
One thing Mike Norvell understands is the value of the quarterback position. He’s admittedly had some bad luck at the position with injuries changing fortunes for Jordan Travis and Chubba Purdy.
The latter transferred from FSU during the season, and the former struggled to develop because of missing practice time due to injuries.
Duffy is the best QB signed since Malik Henry in the 2016 recruiting cycle and appeared in the Under-Armour All-American Game Sunday afternoon.
He helped lead his team to a 23-17 win, finishing the game 5 of 16 for 97 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three rushes for 19 yards.
Fan Reaction
I’m pretty hype about AJ Duffy
— Pops (@PastyPops) January 2, 2022
Aj Duffy sneaky athletic
— Ford Wilmoth II (@ImBuiltFordTuff) January 2, 2022
AJ Duffy touchdown pass already. QB1 😎
— CW (@CoreyX_) January 2, 2022
AJ Duffy is legit unfortunately
— Cru (@TheCruShow) January 2, 2022
AJ Duffy looking nice
— T-Ross (@djtrosss) January 2, 2022
So fired up to watch AJ Duffy ball out
— frawg (@clydedrexIer) January 2, 2022
Thoughts
FSU football fans have every right to be excited about AJ Duffy. He has shown time and time again that he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the 2022 recruiting cycle. It’s a skewed stat line with a few drops from wide receivers, and he was under a lot of pressure from the opposing pass rush.
However, Duffy looked poised and decisive in his decision-making for the most part. We must remember these players are not that familiar with one another and running an offense they do not know inside and out.
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Duffy’s name was consistent as the best quarterback at the Under Armour All-American practices.
He appears to be a quick learner with excellent leadership ability, which will be important at the next level. The other important thing is Duffy will enroll at FSU football this spring as an early enrollee, which will be crucial in his development in fast-tracking towards playing time, likely in 2023.
However, it’s my hope he can get a few snaps in a blowout or two before redshirting this season. It was good to see a Nole QB on the big stage for the first time in a while.