FSU baseball: Why Link Jarrett’s path at FSU may mirror Mike Norvell’s

Transfer Portal/JUCO/Future

How did Mike Norvell get FSU football back to respectability and competing instead of getting blown out? Norvell used the transfer portal to address major holes on the roster along the offensive line and defensive line positions to improve the trenches.

He also brought in McKenzie Milton to compete with Jordan Travis at QB. He also brought in players like Jammie Robinson, Trey Benson, and others to improve the roster talent.

Make no mistake. Link Jarrett is aware of the problems on the roster and is already making moves to address them. FSU has four JUCO pitchers committed(if they don’t sign to play professionally), which tells you they are quality arms if they have the option to sign professionally.

I’m sure he’ll attack the transfer portal with wreckless abandon for more quality arms, just as Mike Norvell used the transfer portal for offensive linemen and other positions.

At the same time, Link Jarrett will have a full offseason to lay his foundation, much like Mike Norvell did once the pandemic restrictions dissipated. At the end of the day, Link Jarrett arrived late and didn’t have time to assess things fully, much like Mike Norvell couldn’t in year one because of the pandemic.

He inherited a fractured locker room and roster with major holes like Mike Norvell. He’s dealt with injuries to key players like Mike Norvell. FSU baseball is playing arguably the toughest schedule nationally while dealing with these issues.

I know it sounds like excuses, and that’s what detractors of Mike Norvell said when I said these things a couple of years ago. It’s not an excuse when it’s reality. The good news is Link Jarrett is a proven coach that’s won at multiple places.

He’s more proven than Mike Norvell when he took the FSU job, and Norvell has the football team back to where the Noles are supposed to be each year.

That bodes well for where Link Jarrett will take FSU baseball in the coming years. It’s all about having patience as a fan, understanding the context, and how program issues can’t be fixed overnight.