FSU head coach Mike Norvell sent a message to his team after the 2024 season. He mentioned he would provide an opportunity for guys to prove themselves or otherwise, they had to go. We saw several players enter the portal before spring camp started, but FSU added 16 players during the Winter Transfer Portal window.
Ironically, Mike Norvell shared the same prove-it message with those Winter Transfer Portal additions, because one already announced he would re-enter the transfer portal after only three months in Tallahassee.
JUCO product wide receiver Jordan Scott is the first Winter Transfer portal addition in recent years to re-enter the transfer portal before fall camp starts.
The 6'7" product was vocal on social media when he originally joined the program after flipping from Arizona State. However, he was never mentioned in press conferences by the coaching staff and was in footage posted by the FSU football X account, getting blanketed by a freshman defensive back on a ball he probably should have caught.
Some fans seemed caught off guard by the news he decided to re-enter the transfer portal. However, I see it as a very positive sign. My interpretation is the coaching staff determined he's not good enough to contribute at Florida State this year and didn't want to waste the roster spot. It's not like 6'7" receivers grow on trees, and Mike Norvell has had great success with larger receivers. He was worth taking a flyer and using the spring like an extended tryout.
The fact they were willing to depart ways shows growth by Mike Norvell. He seems to have a soft spot to want to give guys a longer leash to develop. It has worked at times. Jordan Travis and Ryan Fitzgerald are prime examples of Norvell having patience paying off. However, for every one of those, there are probably 5-10 that likely should have been dismissed from the program well before they left.
Norvell indicated lots of "real conversations" are taking place and they will look to improve the roster through the portal when opportunities present themselves. There will be others entering the portal and you can track all of the departures and additions here.