Former FSU quarterback great makes controversial statement about paying players

There has been a lot of talk surrounding Florida State football and Mike Norvell’s recruiting over the past week. The great debate hinges on whether FSU has enough talent on its roster and whether it is effectively acquiring talent.

While Mike Norvell hasn’t signed a top 10 high school class during his time at FSU, he has been fairly effective in the transfer portal, which probably saved his job between the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

The other thing that helped save his job was the emergence of Jordan Travis at quarterback during Mike Norvell’s tenure. FSU was among the top programs nationally between 2022-23, amassing a 23-3 record(not counting the Orange Bowl).

Jordan Travis started a podcast with his brother(another FSU alum) and had some interesting things to say when it comes to the recruiting game nowadays:

While recruiting is different nowadays because players get paid, it’s not as simple as buying the best players. Let’s use Texas Tech as an example. They have gone all-in regarding paying players, and they have thrown A LOT of money around. However, they have a budget they must abide by. If a team pays a wide receiver 10 million dollars out of high school, how much of your overall budget does that eat? How much will other players at more important positions gonna ask for?

See how that model becomes unsustainable real quick? Here's how it should be done, while using the funds available wisely:

Relationships are still important in today’s game, and a player may take less money to go somewhere that produces players who go to the NFL. So, it’s not all about buying players. It’s not like Mike Norvell hasn’t gotten a ton of financial support since arriving in Tallahassee. FSU is competitive with its NIL budget. There have been massive investments in stadium renovations and the building of the Football-Only facility.

However, the ROI on the money FSU spends on NIL hasn't been there under Mike Norvell or Willie Taggart.

FSU hasn’t had an offensive lineman drafted in nearly a decade. They haven’t had a quarterback drafted in the top four rounds since Jameis Winston went No. 1 overall a decade ago.  

FSU has more talent than several teams they have lost to over the past two years. It’s not a talent issue. It’s the lack of player development and spending the money on the most important positions so you don't need as much player development to create those impact players.

We love Jordan Travis, but trying to use FSU's NIL game as a reason FSU is losing games is not factual. Recruiting didn't seem to be a problem when FSU handled Alabama in the season opener did it?