Florida State announced that it will begin its spring practice on Monday, March 6th. It is difficult to fathom the fact that spring practice is almost around the corner for the Florida State Seminoles. It seems like it was just yesterday when redshirt freshman defensive back Shyheim Brown blocked the game-tying PAT to give the Seminoles a 24-23 victory over the LSU Tigers in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Gosh, where did the time go?
FSU IS A TEAM TO MONITOR
Head football coach Mike Norvell is entering his fourth season with the Seminoles. Suddenly, the Seminoles have become a potential College Football Playoff dark horse as well as a national media darling. It seems like every time you flip on the TV to ESPN, you get a college football analyst discussing Florida State.
That is with good reason as the Seminoles captured their first 10-win season since 2016. Much of the attention for on-the-field success could be directed toward the ascension of redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Travis, who completed 226 of his 353 passes (64% completion percentage) for 3214 yards and 24 passing touchdowns with only 5 interceptions. He also showcased his dual-threat ability with 417 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.
THE EVOLUTION OF JORDAN TRAVIS
During the early portion of his career, some Seminole fans did not think Travis would be an effective quarterback at the collegiate level. It certainly looks as though the “glorified running back” did what needed to be done in terms of blossoming into a capable quarterback. With that being said, the biggest obstacle that Travis needed to prove this season was his durability. Seminole fans questioned his ability to stay healthy after the 2021 season saw Travis deal with minor injuries that cost him certain portions of contests as well as quarterback transfer McKenzie Milton breathing down his neck on the depth chart.
ANOTHER INJURY FOR TRAVIS
Just when you thought Florida State’s season was trending upward due to the victory over LSU (see above how the game fared if you need another reminder), the Seminoles faced off against the Louisville Cardinals on the road after the LSU bye week. The offense for the Seminoles ran about as smoothly as you would have liked with Jordan Travis completing his first 11 passes of the contest. But with 4:21 left to go in the second quarter, Louisville defensive lineman Yaya Diaby sacked Travis. The talented quarterback was seen grabbing his lower-body extremities before being helped to the sideline.
TATE THE GREAT
In comes Tate Rodemaker…
Rodemaker’s career with the Seminoles was considered “less than stellar” where he completed only 18 of his 31 passes for 137 yards and 3 interceptions combined in 2020 and 2021. The relief appearance against the Cardinals did not go as planned considering that the redshirt sophomore’s first four plays were an incomplete pass, -6 yard pass, a sack that resulted in an intentional grounding penalty that forced 3rd & 26, and an interception.
The second-half adjustments were absolutely phenomenal for Mike Norvell and company as the flustered quarterback completed a 22-yard completion to 6-foot-7 wide receiver Johnny Wilson on the opening drive. The rest was history as Rodemaker ended the contest where he connected on 6 out of his last 8 pass attempts in lieu of a 35-31 victory over Louisville. It suddenly became evident that there was a possibility that Travis could miss the rest of the 2022 season. The Seminole faithful breathed a sigh of relief as Jordan Travis did not miss any appearances for the rest of the season after being sidelined with the injury in the first half.
CAN FSU WIN WITHOUT TRAVIS?
During the 2022 offseason, redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Travis stated that he would likely be departing Florida State after the conclusion of the 2022 season (NFL bound). Thankfully, the West Palm Beach (Fl.) quarterback announced this off-season that he will be returning for his senior season. “Unfinished business” became the theme after the Seminoles lost three straight games in the middle of the season to Wake Forest, North Carolina State, and Clemson before ripping off six straight victories. The Seminoles now have their eyes on the prize to achieve their first College Football Playoff appearance since 2014. Fans now don’t have to worry about what life is like without one of the most important players on the roster.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Here is a look at the quarterback position group for the Seminoles:
-Jordan Travis, RS Sr
-Tate Rodemaker, RS Jr
-AJ Duffy, RS Fr
-Dylan McNamara, RS Fr (walk-on)
-Brock Glenn, Fr
*True freshman preferred walk-on QB Michael Grant will be enrolling this summer*
