Florida State football wants to prove the doubters wrong in 2026, as they finished with a 5-7 record last year. Beating Alabama wasn't enough, as they limped to the end of the season, losing seven of their last nine games.
As a result, head coach Mike Norvell is on many people's hot-seat list in the offseason. Some fans thought that he should have been let go after the Seminoles lost to Stanford. While I cannot defend the four losing seasons in six years, the administration feels either confident in his abilities to turn it around, or maybe the buyout was too steep for their liking.
Either way it goes, this is Florida State, and the expectation is to be competing for championships. Coach Norvell has transformed the roster yet again via the transfer portal and the high school recruiting ranks. However, we get so mesmerized by the portal additions that we forget about the returnees.
The linebacker position could be improved with a healthy Caleb LaVallee
The defense under coordinator Tony White was not where it needed to be. Fans could see that the players needed to adjust to the new 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
What was even more disappointing was that they started with a stellar performance against the Crimson Tide and crumbled under pressure against arch-rival Florida Gators. Running back Jadan Baugh had over 200 yards on the ground, as it seemed like the linebackers weren't attacking downhill.
Assistant coach John Papuchis moved on to Missouri, and Ernie Sims stepped in to coach the position. The former Seminole is someone that the players like and respect. Coach Sims added two linebackers via the transfer portal in Chris Jones and Mikai Gbayor, who could be vying for reps as starters, as well as four-star Izayia Williams in the high school recruiting ranks.
There is someone that fans aren't thinking about, and that is redshirt junior Caleb LaVallee. The former North Carolina Tar Heel had an impressive showing in his first career start against UConn in the Fenway Bowl, where he had nine tackles and was seen all over the field.
LaVallee dealt with a lower-body injury that hampered the majority of his 2025 campaign, where he only got to participate in special teams duties against Stanford. The veteran is finally healthy to contribute and has a full spring to make an impact.
Since Izayia Williams is battling a knee injury and will miss the whole spring, this is an opportunity for LaVallee, Blake Nichelson, and Omar Graham Jr. to compete for starting reps.