Mike Norvell shares Florida State's plan for redshirting players

Only two games remain in the regular season, with one more for teams that qualify for a bowl game. That’s the position Mike Norvell finds himself in, which has left him carefully considering Florida State‘s plan for redshirting players.

The Seminoles will host Louisiana and Florida to close out the regular season, then will have a bowl game after that. Players can participate in up to four games in a season without burning a year of eligibility if they’ve yet to use a redshirt.

“It’s something that we’ve definitely put a lot of thought in,” Norvell said Monday. “There’s still guys that we have that have one game left. We didn’t play Rodney Hill the other day. That’s intentional, and we’ve had those conversations with him about the process of what we’re doing and trying to make sure we’re maximizing these guys and their opportunities through their careers.”

Different coaches have different philosophies on how best to approach the four-game redshirt rule, but most seem to prefer to keep a game in hand for bowl season if possible.

Because teams get more time than normal to prepare for bowl games, players who will be on the active roster for bowl games can be elevated from the scout team more easily than they can during the tighter crunch in preparation time during the season.

Hill, for example, has played in three games his season. He can maintain his redshirt so long as he only plays in one more game, which underscores the importance of Florida State’s plan for redshirting players.

No point wasting a year of eligibility unnecessarily.

“You’ve got to be strategic with it, because when you have regular-season opportunities and, heaven forbid, someone gets hurt, you’ve got to be prepared and ready in those situations,” Norvell said. “But also if we can have a good balance with the potential of another game, we’re just trying to be aware of that and make sure we’re preparing guys for what can come.”

Mike Norvell thrilled with how Florida State’s playing

Given Florida State’s plan for redshirting players, Norvell has managed a tightrope act while still getting his team to play at a high level more often than not this season.

The Seminoles are 7-3, with an outside shot at a 10-win season if they can win out.

Norvell said that’s a product of the belief his team has, and he believes Florida State is playing as well as anyone right now.

“When you continue to believe, you are investing that work, you’re pouring into each other and you’re doing it with all your heart? It’s fun to watch and play. I think our guys are playing as good as anybody right now,” Norvell said. “It’s impressive to see but the only way to continue that is to go back to work. That’s what we’re going to do and that’s what our guys believe in.”

Florida State will return to action Saturday against Louisiana in a game that kicks off at noon ET.