FSU 2024 SEASON
We already discussed at nauseam how the Florida State football team competed in 2024. I believe that individuals are tired of talking about the past, and they want to turn the page to the current season at hand.
However, the moment in time will haunt the Seminoles until they get their feet wet on August 30th versus the Alabama Crimson Tide. As head football coach Mike Norvell stated at ACC Kickoff: "Don't talk about it, just go do it!"
The squad was determined to prove doubters wrong instead of going out there to play football. This is partially why the disaster happened.
POSITION GROUP NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
The one position group on the Seminoles squad that has a ton of pressure to succeed in 2025 is the offensive line. The position coach, Herb Hand, is leading the charge this season after Alex Atkins was relieved of his duties. Coach Herb has had Power Four experience at Texas, Penn State, Auburn, Vanderbilt, and UCF, so the proof of concept is there.
However, he added several transfers on the offensive line to ensure that they had quality veterans in the rotation. We heard last year about how the experience would help the Seminoles, but they were one of the worst offensive lines in the country.
Norvell did highlight redshirt senior center Luke Petitbon at ACC Kickoff, where he referred to him as "next level". Petitbon was the most consistent offensive lineman in the spring and became a leader of the unit.
The Wake Forest transfer has started 35 games during his collegiate career, but Norvell also raved about the do-it-all Darius Washington last season, where he described him as an All-American, and he ended up not having the campaign that he wanted in 2024.
Nonetheless, I think that the Seminoles have a solid construction on the offensive line. It gets dicey when injuries occur, but the foundation is there with pieces such as Petitbon and Richie Leonard IV (who was represented at ACC Kickoff) on the interior.