Running it back: Several key Seminoles explain why they're returning to Florida State in 2023

As they continued preparations for the Cheez-It Bowl later this month, several key Florida State football key contributors and starters discussed why they’re returning to the fold for 2023.

With FSU in search of a 10-win season following a reinvigorating 9-3 campaign, some of the top players on the team announced their intentions to line up for another year in the garnet and gold.

Following a few bowl practices this past week, many of those standouts explained why they are returning and why they see a huge opportunity with Florida State next season.

*** Sign up for one year of premium access to Warchant.com and the On3 Network for only $10. ***

Undoubtedly what will be some of the biggest news out of Florida State this offseason, quarterback Jordan Travis confirmed he’ll be back after tossing 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions to go along with seven more rushing scores as a redshirt junior.

Travis, who earned second-team All-ACC honors this season, said it was “important” to time his announcement to help out transfer portal recruiting and to help convince other current ‘Noles to return.

“I was thinking about it a lot. Just couldn’t wait to get it out there. I was trying really hard to push it out there, but they wanted to make the timing right,” he said. “But yeah. I am happy it’s out and I am happy I’m back. Honestly, I just felt I needed another year to keep growing. Showing what I can do. I feel like I improved a lot this year.

“I had a lot of unfinished business, I keep saying that. I came to Florida State to win every single game I play, win a championship at the end of the day. … We’re going to be special [next] year.”

Adding to an explosive backfield, Travis will have the luxury of handing the football off to running back Trey Benson next fall. Benson enjoyed a breakout season as a redshirt sophomore, gaining 965 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. .

“I still have a lot of learning to do. I feel like I am just getting started, I am just scratching my surface. I can be way better than I was last year,” Benson said, adding that he took notice when his quarterback confirmed he is coming back. “Oh yeah for sure that helped. That weighed in big. [Jordan] told me he was coming back, and I said, ‘OK, I am going to join you.'”

Up front, Florida State also returns a top lineman for next season in left tackle and long-time starter Robert Scott.

“You know, that was year three. Year four, got some more to work on,” Scott said. “So why not come back if I still have eligibility? I appreciate the opportunity; that’s really what I am grateful for. Come back to a great coaching staff that is still here. That means a lot to me.”

Defensively, linebacker Tatum Bethune, a redshirt junior and Miami native who helped push the ‘Noles to a 45-3 thrashing over his hometown Miami Hurricanes, finished the regular season with 76 tackles (second on the team).

“This has probably been the best time of my life, this past year. Just playing with the team and being with those guys,” Bethune said in explaining his decision. “That’s something I still want to be a part of, that I am not ready to leave yet.”

Several of the returning starters said they discussed things with each other during the process. Fellow linebacker Kalen DeLoach said that his father and Bethune’s father have a “real close” relationship and helped them consider their options.

“Me and Tatum are real close. I feel like it was more of a collective decision, both parties,” said DeLoach, who ranks third on the team in tackles. “We decided what we wanted to do and figured out it was best for us.”

Also back in the fold, starting slot receiver Mycah Pittman raved about the way the FSU coaching staff cares for the players on the team, and he also described how close he is with Travis.

He said those were major factors in his decision.

“I definitely knew about him coming back before a lot of people knew. He told me pretty early,” Pittman said of Travis. “It’s his acknowledgement and work that he put in, so I let him do that. It was great. The momentum is there. We know what we’re capable of doing, we believe in Coach Norvell leading us. We believe in J-Trav and what he is capable of doing.

“People have seen it now, the things I was talking about at the beginning of the season. I am just proud of him and this team.”

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.