Seminoles remain focused despite increased exposure, attention in 2023
It has been a long time — probably since Jimbo Fisher left Florida State for Texas A&M in 2017 — since the FSU football program has generated much preseason hype or received national media attention during the spring and summer.
That appears to be changing in 2023.
After going 8-13 in his first two years as Florida State’s head coach, Mike Norvell and the Seminoles enjoyed a breakout season last fall, going 10-3 with wins over LSU, Florida, Miami and Oklahoma.
That has led to big expectations for this upcoming season, and more appearances for the Seminoles in the national spotlight.
In just the last couple weeks, Norvell and Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis have taken part in lengthy interviews with On3 national host JD PicKell, and defensive tackle Fabien Lovett was featured during a segment with ESPN reporters David Hale and Andrea Adelson on the ACC Network show, “In Play.”
One of the big topics addressed during Norvell’s interview was how Florida State plans to deal with these increased expectations and exposure.
“There is nobody in the country that has higher expectations than what we have,” Norvell said. “These guys, they’re working for it. But we have to go earn that every day.
“It’s still about us. … We are focused on what we believe we could accomplish, what we could do through hard work, belief, and great relationships within the team.”
Travis shared a similar message during his interview when speaking about the team and himself.
The senior quarterback turned in a huge season in 2022 — nearly (or more than) doubling his previous career highs in several statistical categories. His season passing yardage soared from 1,589 to 3,213, and his total touchdowns went from 22 to 32.
Like Norvell, Travis said he isn’t changing his approach after one strong season. And he said entire focus is on the Seminoles’ team goals, adding that he wants to be known as a player who, “loves his teammates.”
“I couldn’t do it without the help of my teammates and family,” Travis said. “We’re good right now, we are steady, we are focused. … We’ve just got to work.”
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Norvell spoke at length about that mindset as well.
When asked how the Seminoles were able to convince so many veterans — like Travis, Lovett, defensive end Jared Verse and running back Trey Benson — to return for the 2023 season as opposed to bolting for the NFL, the head coach said it mostly boiled down to relationships.
“They love who they get to do this with,” Norvell said. “As long as we’re showing up and we are putting forward our best foot, and how we prepare at what we do and the sacrifices we’re willing to make, and the investment that’s going into it, I believe. I believe in the in the guys I coach.
“I believe in what their potential is. I believe in where we can go.”
Lovett, who has been arguably Florida State’s top defensive tackle the past two seasons but was limited by injury last fall, told the ESPN reporters that he and all of the Seminoles feel as if they have unfinished business in 2023.
“We’ve still got places to go, but I feel like we are going to get where we need to be,” he said. “We all come here to be legends.”
Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.
