Florida State is back in Doak Campbell Stadium once again on Saturday, as they take on the Central Arkansas Bears at 3:00 PM EST on the great ole’ ACC Network. Head coach Mike Norvell may be on the hot seat for many analysts in the college football community, but at least he gets to go back to where it all started. You can bet the Mike Norvell cornrows image will circulate throughout the broadcast and be a talking point for the crew on Saturday.
Norvell recorded 213 receptions for 2,611 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns with the Bears from 2001 to 2005. It has to be a special moment for him and his family to cherish. However, even the current head coach of Central Arkansas (Nathan Brown) relayed the message that Mike Norvell is in a tough spot at Florida State right now. With that said, the Seminole faithful don’t care about much other than winning in Tallahassee. Florida State can only control what it can control at this point.
The losses to SMU and Alabama happened, but this team cannot self-implode. This 2026 campaign has had frustrating moments, but six players could turn the program’s fortunes around if they elevate their play.
QB Ashton Daniels
The quarterback position is the most important on the football field. Mike Norvell benefited from having the services of an excellent signal-caller in Jordan Travis, where he compiled a 29-10 record when he was under center. However, since the 2024 season, Florida State has gone 8-19 without the West Palm Beach native. This isn’t to besmirch the performance of Ashton Daniels against Alabama, where he had 377 passing yards and 4 total touchdowns. However, the 3 interceptions were something that needs to be cleaned up immediately.
TE Landen Thomas
I understand that the fan base is probably rolling their eyes when the discussion of the tight end position becomes a talking point. However, the truth of the matter is that they are impactful when discussing Mike Norvell’s offensive scheme. They hold the responsibility of being run/pass blockers, as well as pass catchers. Former four-star prospect Landen Thomas has to elevate his game, given that the program decided to bring him back after he announced that he would be entering the portal. Two receptions for 13 yards and 1 touchdown will not cut it.
DL Mandrell and Darryll Desir
Speaking about players who announced that they would be entering the portal, the biggest storyline of the offseason was the Desir Twins (Mandrell and Darryll Desir) potentially leaving Florida State for a new opportunity. In hindsight, the Seminoles could have afforded to let them go, as they have combined to have 8 tackles and 2 pass deflections through 3 games. They need to get it together immediately.
DB Ja’Bril Rawls
There is a common theme here in college football, where players leverage themselves to other institutions for more NIL resources. It also probably didn’t sit well with veteran cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls, with the Seminoles firing defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. Some individuals thought that Rawls could be a Day 2 NFL draft pick, but that hasn’t come to fruition yet this season, with Florida State allowing a whopping 340.7 passing yards per game.
DB Ashlynd Barker
One of the biggest departures of the offseason was safety Earl Little Jr., who was tasked with playing the all-important ROVER position for Tony White’s defense. Little Jr. ended up transferring to Ohio State, and Ashlynd Barker stepped into the role. Barker had a solid 2025 campaign with 48 tackles and 3.5 sacks. The veteran has 18 tackles and an interception through 3 games, but he is playing with a club on his hand, and spectators can tell that Barker isn’t looking like himself.
I don’t want to suggest that the sky is falling just yet in Tallahassee, but the losses to SMU and Alabama have fans wanting a new head coach leading the program, and the time is ticking to secure success in the win column. We need production now!