Florida State QB competition: Breaking down Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry, Malachi Marshall resumes to play in 2026

It’s safe to say that the 2026 Florida State football season is critical for head coach Mike Norvell, who is heading into his fifth season at the helm. Incoming transfer Ashton Daniels is the favorite to win early reps, but a group of talented quarterbacks behind him could push to get on the field.

Since the Seminoles fell just shy of reaching the College Football Playoff in 2023, Florida State has gone a combined 7-17 (3-13) across the past two seasons. This has brought many critics upon Norvell and his program, thirsting for success once again in Tallahassee. Thomas Castellanos looked promising at times last season, but is no longer with the program in 2026.

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So, who will be the starting quarterback for Florida State this season? Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry, Malachi Marshall, and Dean DeNobile are all battling it out in the quarterback competition. Here’s an in-depth look at the Seminoles’ quarterback room, as they look to bounce back from an extremely disappointing 2025 campaign.

Ashton Daniels, R-Sr.

The most experienced player in Florida State‘s quarterback room, Ashton Daniels, has appeared in 37 career games across two prior programs (Stanford and Auburn). The Buford, Ga. native boasts 4,783 career passing yards, with 24 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He has proven to be a rushing threat as well, racking up 1,397 yards and 11 scores on the ground. He was tabbed as the No. 49 ranked quarterback in the Transfer Portal this offseason by On3.

“I think Ashton is a guy that can really do it all. As we talk about experiences, Ashton has a great deal of experience throughout his college career,” Mike Norvell said at ACC Media Days. “He’s been put in a lot of different situations that he’s had to work through. You see somebody that’s just continued to grow. As I did my research getting to know him, the coaches I worked with, the people around him, so many incredible qualities of the young man, the talent, the ability.”

Kevin Sperry, R-Fr.

Kevin Sperry is the lone member of Florida State‘s quarterback room to have played a snap of football for the Seminoles. Sperry played in three games last season, where he completed 12/17 passes for 194 yards and two scores. Sperry was a three-star prospect in the Class of 2025 out of Guyer (Denton, Tx.).

“I would say the biggest difference going into Year 2 is just my experience and just understanding this offense a little bit more,” Sperry told Warchant.com earlier this offseason. “A little bit less of a learning curve with our protections and checks and things like that, which was really my biggest emphasis for my first year. So, that’s pretty natural right now.”

Malachi Marshall, Jr.

Malachi Marshall makes his way to Florida State this year after spending his two prior two collegiate football seasons at Stony Brook and Iowa Western Community College. Marshall was named NJCAA Division I Offensive Player of the Year, ICCAC Offensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-American last season with the Reivers. In 13 games, he passed for 2,750 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Prior to his stint at IWCC, Marshall played in six games for Stony Brook. Marshall remains one of the most intriguing backup quarterbacks in the ACC, heading into the 2026 season. He was tabbed the No. 1 ranked JUCO transfer QB by Rivals this offseason.

Dean DeNobile, R-Sr.

Finally, Lafayette transfer quarterback Dean DeNobile rounds out Florida State‘s quarterback room. DeNobile has spent the past three seasons at Lafayette, where he started in 35 games. In that span, DeNobile racked up 6,956 yards and 53 touchdowns. He was named All-Patriot League First-Team last season after passing for 2,542 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Upper Saddle River, N.J. native was tabbed as the No. 157 ranked quarterback in the Transfer Portal this offseason by On3.

“It was great. I loved it,” DeNobile said about FSU in an interview with Warchant.com earlier this offseason. “It’s a great school. This is FSU. This is the place people want to be. … I’m excited to get to work. It’s a great school. People dream to play at a place like this.”