Florida State football has not had a great last couple of years. The 2025 season started off so well, but finished with the program limping to the finish line where they lost seven of their last nine games to not make a bowl game.
Head coach Mike Norvell has had a tough tenure at Florida State, where he has suffered four losing seasons in six years. Even though Florida State finished with a 5-7 record (not the standard at this proud university), it was much better than their 2-10 campaign in 2024.
I never envisioned that the Seminoles would be that horrific in 2024. While I wasn't advertising a College Football Playoff appearance, the squad was confident that it could at least be competitive after being snubbed by the committee in favor of Alabama in 2023.
This was a team that I thought could win 7 or 8 games and could be a rebuild year to retool for the 2025 season, much like Michigan did after they won the title. However, it was tough times in Tallahassee with the team.
Former Florida State wide receiver Malik Benson gets drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders
It all started with the offense, as fans discussed them selecting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei over spending up for Cam Ward in the transfer portal. However, it was just as bad to rely on former Alabama wide receiver Malik Benson to be the number one option when they were throwing the football.
Benson came to Florida State where he recorded 13 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown, so the idea of being a number one option was a bit of a reach. However, the media members who attended practice mentioned that the pass catcher was performing well.
The wide receiver finished with 25 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown in his lone season at Florida State. Then, Benson decided to enter the transfer portal after the disastrous year in 2024 and signed with Oregon. He had a bounce-back senior year with the Ducks, where he had 43 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns (according to ESPN Stats and Information).
Benson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round.
I always think what could have been if Florida State had decided to acquire quarterback Cam Ward in the transfer portal that offseason. Could Malik Benson have stayed at Florida State and been a higher draft pick? Nonetheless, I hope that Duce Robinson can be one in the 2027 NFL Draft.
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