Mike Norvell opens up on the competition inside Florida State quarterback room
Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell is making the final preparations for completing his roster ahead of the start of the 2022 season. One of the competitions he is watching closely is the one going on at quarterback. During a recent interview, Norvell opened up on the competition inside Florida State’s quarterback room.
“It’s great. Jordan, I could not be more pleased with what I’ve seen. Even today, I don’t know if he was feeling his best, but he just continuing to show up. The leadership, the approach, good play, bad play, he’s really taken his game to another level. I mean, it’s just in all areas.
And then Tate, he’s kind of the same. I’m very pleased with what I’m seeing from him and just his confidence, his ownership of the location of the ball, the rhythm, and timing. You see all the reps that have gone in over the last couple of years. It is now really clicking for him.”
The top two candidates for the starting quarterback spot are junior Jordan Travis and sophomore Tate Rodemaker. Travis is the frontrunner after splitting duties with McKenzie Milton before taking over fully to end the season. The West Plam Beach, FL, native finished the year completing 122 of his 194 attempts with 1,539 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Rodemaker only saw action in the Seminole final game of the season against the Florida Gators. He completed one of his two attempts for just seven yards. Rodemaker will his the opportunity to earn more playing time this season, especially if Travis struggles early. But he is not the only one with a chance to see big minutes in 2022. Norvell has taken a special liking to freshman AJ Duffy.
“AJ is doing a really good job. I said it after the scrimmage; he didn’t get off to the best start but was able to stay focused and to take the next play mentality. I thought he had a great response. And he’s really excited about the potential he has as well. So, that whole group is pushing each other and working with each other and then obviously competing against each other. But I like what I’m seeing.”
Norvell and the Seminole are not absent of talent, which is typically the case for the program. But the head coach must make sure to put whoever he decides to start in a position to be successful from the opening kickoff. If he does not, it might be another long season for Florida State, with an early exit from the team for him.