Mike Norvell’s 2024 campaign was a nightmare. After an unbeaten 2023 and ACC crown, Florida State crashed to 2–10, their worst finish in 50 years. The offense sputtered, and turnovers piled up. DJ Uiagalelei never found rhythm, and a finger injury sealed his fate. Portal additions missed the mark. But Norvell hit reset. FSU revamped its quarterback room, landing dynamic transfers Tommy Castellanos and Jaylen King, while flipping elite prospect Kevin Sperry from Oklahoma. On top of that, heading into 2025, only Brock Glenn returns. So, the rebuild is real — and it starts under center. But is that enough for a title run?
Look, last year, Mike Norvell owned the disaster, stating, “I’m willing to do what’s necessary to make sure that we don’t ever have a season anywhere near what we put on display here this year.” And he meant it. He hit the reset button—hiring Gus Malzahn to spark the offense and Tony White to rebuild the defense. However, the roster? Reworked through the portal. But even with all these moves, the question lingers: have they truly leveled up? With a brutal 2025 schedule ahead, the answer still feels murky.
On the May 13 episode of Locked On Seminoles, Brian Smith didn’t hold back. He sounded the alarm on Florida State’s uphill climb in 2025. With confidence and caution, Smith broke down FSU’s season into clear tiers. “I’m going to give my take. So the most — I put this in three categories: losses, tossups, and wins. The games that are most likely to be in these categories – doesn’t mean they will be – but I think these are fair assessments.” Now, his words? A red alert for a program still finding its footing.
However, as Mike Norvell’s Florida State eyes a comeback, there are major roadblocks ahead, and Smith highlighted the biggest ones. According to him, these are the games that could shake up the Seminoles’ aspirations: “Bama, at Clemson, at NC State, at Florida, Miami — those are the five most likely losses. Are they going to lose all five of those? I doubt it, but hear me out.” These heavyweight SEC and ACC matchups are looming large, and Florida State will have to battle hard to prove their rise is for real.
But Smith also pointed to some key toss-up games on Florida State’s schedule. “The tossup games, in my opinion, are at Duke, Virginia Tech, and Pitt. Two quality teams with returning quarterbacks, but they’re not dominant by any means. These are teams that usually Florida State would beat,” said Smith. While not powerhouses, these matchups are crucial for FSU. Because they need to find consistency and prove they can handle teams, they’d typically dominate.
Here, Smith reminded everyone that Florida State doesn’t usually finish with a dismal 2–10 record. “And then the wins — if they don’t win these games, there’s a lot of questions that need to go into emergency mode,” said Smith. So, the pressure is on for FSU to perform. Now, if they fall short in these expected victories, the stakes will skyrocket, and panic could quickly set in.
As tension builds around Mike Norvell’s FSU, the coach is focused on securing the future. The staff is actively searching for a quarterback to lead #Tribe26 and beyond. So, the future of the program hinges on finding the right arm to drive the offense forward.
Mike Norvell’s recent move
Earlier this month, FSU made a move, offering a scholarship to 2027 QB Derrick Baker. The rising junior shared the exciting news on social media, tagging quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz. However, since the start of 2025, Baker’s recruitment has picked up steam, with offers flooding in from big names like OSU, Auburn, and Purdue. Now, this young prospect is clearly one to watch!
“Blessed to receive an offer today from Florida State @FSUFootball. Thank you, Coach @Coach_TokarzQB,” shared Baker, marking a big step in his recruitment. The Georgia native made a move this offseason, transferring from St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) to Milton High School (GA). As a sophomore, he showed promise, completing 8 of 14 passes for 100 yards and 2 TDs, while also rushing for 78 yards and 3 more scores.
So, the next big step for the Seminoles? Getting Baker on campus this summer to showcase his skills in front of Coach Tokarz, HC Norvell, and OC Malzahn. However, standing at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Derrick Baker is a force to be reckoned with. Ranked as the No. 390 overall prospect and No. 29 QB in Alabama for the 2027 class by 247Sports, his potential is undeniable.
Now, with such a promising profile, it’s no surprise that Mike Norvell is keen to add this standout QB to Florida State’s future roster.
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