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The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and it was a special week for the Seminoles. Like the combine, FSU seemed to steal the show with double-digit players being drafted. Not only did we see some of our favorite players achieve their dreams, it was another reminder of how special the 2023 team was. (No matter what the committee or talking heads had to say.)
The three-day event was full of awesome moments for the former Seminoles and fans alike. As we all watched the clips of players getting “the call,” it put into perspective what this is all about. Many of those moments had fans asking, “Who the heck is cutting onions in here?” And while it may sound silly to get emotional over football, there was just something about this team that captivated the hearts of FSU faithful. It also served as another form of validation for what we all knew to be true about that team being more than just a quarterback (who also got drafted). Take notes, Kirk.
To name a few of the best moments, we saw that Jared Verse and Braden Fiske will continue to play together with the Los Angeles Rams as will Renardo Green and Tatum Bethune with the 49ers. Jarrian Jones will be staying in-state to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but perhaps the cherry on top of it all was seeing Jordan Travis overcome the adversity he’s faced to get drafted by the New York Jets.
However, as great as it was for the players, this will also pay big dividends for Mike Norvell and the FSU football program in the future. Since arriving in Tallahassee, Norvell has turned things around on and off the field, and in recruiting, but he’s only had two of “his guys” drafted. (Jermaine Johnson II and Jammie Robinson).
As much as players enjoy NIL, it pales in comparison, to making it to the league. This is why we saw Alabama continue to reload year after year despite hearing rumors that their NIL situation wasn’t that great when Saban left. Player development and a pipeline to the NFL are what kept the 5-stars coming to Tuscaloosa.
There’s no doubt they will use this as a giant feather in their recruiting cap. While some argue these were transfers, who were NFL-ready players, that’s simply not true in most cases. Guys like Jarrian Jones, Trey Benson, Renardo Green, Jordan Travis, and Johnny Wilson all came to FSU with little production and experience. It’s undeniable that their time spent at FSU played a large part in developing them to where they are now.
Even if it were true, being able to put that talent on display at a high level is almost equally important in this era of college football. That’s why we saw multiple players current and former, post on social media that this is why they came to FSU. Rival fans’ opinions and mindless “63-3” comments simply don’t matter because players see what’s happening in Tallahassee and want to be part of it.
Before we list out the picks, I also want to shout out Fabien Lovett, Kalen Deloach, and Akeem Dent, who despite having to take a different path as undrafted free agents still earned their opportunity. I have no doubt they will all go on to have successful careers in the league. ASimilar to other Seminoles who played for Mike Norvell, their foundation of being talented, hardworking, high-character men will serve them well as they continue to pursue their dreams.
As we look at where everyone landed, here are a few highlights about the draft from Florida State’s perspective.
After having just one player taken per year in the past two drafts, watching 10 players get their names called and 13 players get their opportunity, it was a night that FSU fans, players, and coaches couldn’t help but be proud of. It speaks to the foundation for success that’s being built in Tallahassee.
While we hate to see the players that we’ve come to love trading out their Garnet and Gold jerseys for a new one, this is what you want to see. The direct correlation between success on the field and draft picks taken from a program is unquestionable. FSU had just 9 players taken in the past 5 years (2018-2023), and the team’s record was 30-30.
Looking back to successful periods from recent history, FSU had 14 players taken from 2008-2012 (5 Years) and the record was 42-24. Then, FSU went on a dominant three-year run where they had 29 players drafted from 2013-2015 and the corresponding record was 39-3 with two conference championships and a national title.
Since Norvell got things turned around after the 2021 season, the Noles are 23-4 with an ACC title, should have had a playoff berth, and just had 10 players drafted. In 2024, they’ve signed a top 5 transfer class, and a top 15 recruiting class and have several draftable prospects for next year, too. I’m not sure what the future holds for FSU, but numbers don’t lie, and they tell us things are headed in the right direction! Thanks for reading and Go Noles!!
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