Florida State is officially 2-0 in the Rick Stockstill era, and the team has been able to overcome extreme adversity the past two games. Between notable injuries to star players, the firing of coach Mike Norvell, and the shifting of leadership within the staff, the success of Florida State is impressive to say the least.
Stockstill was elevated to the interim role solely to put out the fire that was raging in Tallahassee with Norvell at the helm. The team had lost three games in a row, including a very winnable game against Clemson, and something needed to change after the 3-5 start. Most coaches would struggle to take over the team, but with experience on his side, Stockstill has found consistent success through two games.
It hasn't necessarily been the cleanest, most impressive performances, but the fact that the Seminoles are winning games in the middle of chaos is a sight to see. Stockstill has managed to get the roster to rally behind him for the final few games of the 2026 season, and there are a few new faces who have emerged under his watch.
Winners:
1. RB Amari Thomas
Thomas put in a gritty performance that included the lone touchdown of the game for the Seminoles before exiting the game with an injury. Thomas might have had a fumble and just 30 total yards rushing, but his performance deserves to be recognized because of what the young running back has done this season.
The backfield has been dismantled by injuries this season, and Thomas was never truly supposed to see as much of the field as he has this season. The original plan involved Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. leading the backfield, but Thomas has stepped into a significant role in a short period of time in a major way for Florida State.
2. LB Caleb LaVallee
Thomas is one of the most notable players who stepped up into unfamiliar territory this season, and LaVallee is a perfect example of the same situation on defense. The linebackers have dealt with injuries and difficult circumstances all season, and LaVallee stepped up against Pittsburgh with his most productive game of the season.
The linebacker recorded six total tackles and a sack against the Panthers, increasing his season totals to 23 tackles and two sacks. LaVallee never truly had a significant role within the defense heading into the season, but injuries to Blake Nichelson, Izayia Williams, and Daylen Green forced him into action. Considering the circumstances, his performance is notable and exactly the type of effort Florida State needs to finish the 2026 season on a high note.
3. WR Jasen Lopez
With the season-ending injury to Duce Robinson shaking up the wide receiver room, freshman Jasen Lopez has stepped up as quarterback Ashton Daniels' new favorite target. Lopez recorded five receptions for 72 yards, including a big 46-yard connection downfield that really revealed what the future could look like for the receiver.
Lopez has very quickly established himself as a serious threat within the Florida State offense, and he has done so at a key time for the team. His emergence could play a huge role in the potential success of the offense in the upcoming games against NC State and Florida.
Losers:
1. QB Ashton Daniels
After ten games, it is safe to say that Daniels is just not the quarterback that the team needs due to his playstyle and tendencies. Daniels cannot throw with volume because he makes mistakes with the more passes he attempts, and to make matters worse, Daniels has struggled on the ground without a prominent running back at his side.
The quarterback recorded 163 passing yards, 27 rushing yards, and one lost fumble during the game against the Panthers. Daniels struggled to push the football through the air with a lack of presence on the ground against one of the top rushing defenses in the country. The issue is that both teams knew the ground game would be non-existent and there would be a heavy focus on the pass, and Daniels was still unable to plan ahead properly.
The Panthers sat in deep zones all game and prevented Daniels from connecting down the field with his receivers. Aside from a big completion to Lopez, Daniels was pretty quiet, and he was rarely able to make a read that resulted in a chunk gain for the offense.
Florida State has enough talent on both sides of the ball to win games in the ACC without being perfect, but if Daniels were able to improve his game slightly, the wins would be far more convincing.
2. DL Darryll Desir
It has been an interesting season for Florida State, and there are some situations that began under Norvell that will soon come to a resolution. One such situation involves Darryll Desir, a talented defensive lineman who was paid a hefty sum of money to return after briefly entering the transfer portal last offseason.
Norvell had a big problem with properly evaluating risk and paying players who truly had a shot at making an impact. Some of those overpays have changed over time, like running back Tre Wisner, who stepped up when his number was called. Then there are players like Desir, who has had, quite frankly, a terrible year when the Florida State defense needed him the most.
The defensive line has been shaky all season for Florida State, with a shutdown performance against Virginia, and then holes a truck could drive through against Louisville. One of the primary culprits when things are going wrong this season has been Desir, who has just eight tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two pass defenses this season.
Given the season he has had and the fact that there will be serious changes coming, Desir and his brother, Mandrell, are likely going to hit the transfer portal at the end of the season. The twins should be a cautionary tale for the next coach about when and where it makes sense to overpay in the name of retention.
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