FSU Football: Offense Built For Playmakers - 2023 Projected Starters and Top Contributers & How We Got Here
After occupying the office of the Head Football Coach at Florida State University for three years he has successfully completely flipped the program. Offense is glaringly obvious. Let's Discuss it.
The Catalyst to the CLIMB
When Mike Norvell arrived at the end of 2019 Florida State was in an extremely tight spot. Willie Taggart said all the right things at the beginning and honest to goodness did some good things at Florida State. Speaking to Rob Deloach on Friday reminded me that despite the results he did get the players academics headed in the right direction and brought in some good kids.
The talent level simply wasn’t there and especially on offense. The issues began with Jimbo Fisher’s failure recruiting the offensive line and quarterback rooms in particular. The Taggart staff attempted to fix this and go land an elite recruiting class to begin the roster flip but they simply failed. The heavy majority of first options failed/ left them at the alter and they simply had no back-up plans.
Instead of heading the right direction in 2018 Florida State ainistration and fans were shown just exactly how far their beloved program had fallen from grace. Jimbo wasn’t there to talk his way around each issue or work around them and Willie Taggart’s staff was simply in over their heads.
We watched as the Seminole offense plummeted to the bottom of all the Power 5 rankings and then all the way down to near 130th in the nation the farthest possible fall. By 2019 FSU had three offensive lineman graded in the high 780s and 90s (the literal bottom fifteen D1 OL). James Blackmen and Alex Hornibrook at QB and without any direction whatsoever.
Noles fans found hope in the controversial hiring of Kendall Briles at offensive coordinator that year and while it made a difference there was simply only so much he could do under a meddling head coach with a group of five roster at best.
Enter Mike Norvell
In order for things to ever get better at Florida State the team and program were gonna have to take some lumps. Mike Norvell came in with a solid plan and unmeasured determination to turn things around and offense is his specialty. It has been an amazing CLIMB to reach this point with the team and we go deep into detailing his revolutionary approach and proof of concept here.
Regardless of the myriad of obstacles and once in a lifetime misfortunes timed perfectly with his arrival in Tallahassee Coach Norvell has remained vigilant and in three short years ( long years depending who you ask) completely flipped the program. All those stats and areas the Seminoles had fallen all the way to rock bottom in have flipped.
In 2022 the Noles had a top fifteen offense and figure to be one of the very best in the nation in 2023 with top ten players at every skill position, a Heisman contender at Quarterback and an offensive line that has risen from the basement of CFB to he penthouse.
The final step for Alex Atkins’ group is to be able to get that one yard when everyone in the world knows you are about to run it. with everyone returning along with another great OL haul in high school plus three ready to play, top level transfers they are ready to be an Elite group. Here is our pre-spring projection.
Our Projected Starting Group
Three WR 1 TE
WR-X | Johnny Wilson
WR-Y | Mycah Pittman
LT | Bless Harris
LG | Dmitri Emmanuel
QB Jordan Travis C | Casey Roddick
RB | Trey Benson RG | Jermaine Byers
RT | Robert Scott Jr.
TE | Jaheim Bell
WR-Z | Kentron Portier
First Off the Bench / Starters in Certain Packages
WR - Winston Wright Jr.
TE - Kyle Morelock
TE - Markeston Douglas
RB - Lawrence Toafili
RB - Caziah Holmes
OL - Darius Washington
OL - Maurice Smith
OL - Julian Armella
OL - Keiondre Jones
WR - Darion Wiliamson
WR - Deuce Spann
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Inside Information from Kalen being recruited by Willie Taggart to deciding to return for year four with Norvell and The Factory where “it ain’t for everybody”