Florida State football capped off another disappointing season in 2025 with a 5-7 record. This is not the expectation that the fan base has for a program that wants to compete for championships.
Head coach Mike Norvell was retained by the administration after winning seven games in two years. However, the administration has to feel confident that Norvell can be successful once again, like he was in 2022 and 2023.
The Seminoles acquired a ton of transfers and recruits to put on their roster. One of the most discussed pickups was former Stanford and Auburn quarterback transfer Ashton Daniels, who was named the starting signal-caller.
This isn't something that the majority of the fan base wanted to see since Coach Norvell has gone to the transfer portal over the past three offseasons at the quarterback position (DJ Uiagalelei, Thomas Castellanos, and now Ashton Daniels). Negativity is filled with this program, but I want to highlight reasons why Daniels is the better short-term option for the Seminoles in 2026.
1. More experience in the college football game
Fans have been burned before, when the 2024 offensive line was filled with transfers, and it turned out to be one of the worst units in college football. However, at the quarterback position, the Seminoles cannot take the lumps and bruises of playing redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry. Norvell has emphasized the impressive veteran leadership of senior Ashton Daniels, and it should pay off in difficult contests in 2026.
2. Higher upside with the end of 2025
Ashton Daniels was finally given the opportunity with the Auburn Tigers against ranked opponents Vanderbilt and Alabama, where he completed 49 of his 83 passes (59%) for 612 yards with three touchdowns and displayed a dual-threat ability with 197 yards and two touchdowns on the ground (according to ESPN Stats and Information). This upside has to make the coaching staff happy to see if he can replicate the results.
3. Give Kevin Sperry and Malachi Marshall another year of development
This is not a shot at either redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry and/or JUCO option Malachi Marshall. Both signal-callers have loads of potential, but the pressure is high in Tallahassee with Mike Norvell's job security on the line. Even if Norvell doesn't work, you don't want to throw Sperry and Marshall in there to play if they aren't ready. Just look at previous youngsters who had to be thrown into action early, such as Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek. Sperry and Marshall could have a big battle at quarterback for 2027.
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