Mike Norvell isn’t sugarcoating reality. During a Seminole Booster tour stop in Jacksonville, the Florida State HC spoke from his heart about a name that still resonates with every Nole fan — Jordan Travis. In case you missed the story, here’s the enlightenment. Jordan Travis, who carved his name into FSU record books, had a real shot at the NFL before that brutal November 18 injury against North Alabama in 2023. 

Still, the New York Jets took a chance on him in the fifth round, thinking he’d sit behind vets Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor and quietly prepare for the future. But life’s been cruel because his body couldn’t bounce back, and at just 25, he was forced to medically retire before ever taking a snap in the league. So what’s next? 

In a new episode on Florida State Football – Warchant TV on May 15, Mike Norvell was asked if there’s a place for Jordan Travis on his staff. The HC didn’t dance around it, acknowledging the tough time his former player is currently going through. “A young man to put everything he had into his career, into our program,” he said. “As he continues to kind of work through what his next step is, I mean, obviously, we love him. He’s like family to me. And if there’s that path that he wants to go, I’m going to work really hard to probably make sure that becomes our reality.” That’s Norvell laying it out. If Travis wants in, he’s got a seat at the table. 

Let’s be real. There’s no reason why Mike Norvell shouldn’t give Jordan Travis a chance. After all, who better to have around than the guy who’s been the face of your rebuild? From 2019-2023, he was more than just a dual-threat weapon. He was Florida State. We’re talking a school record of 97 total TDs and 10,554 yards of total offense in 46 games. He completed 633-of-1,013 passing attempts. His 8,644 career passing yards rank second in program history, along with 65 TDs through the air. The 28 wins as a starter also sit second in Noles’ record history. 

On the ground, Jordan Travis has 409 carries for 1,910 yards and 31 scores across four seasons. He’s the only player in school history to rush for at least seven TDs in four seasons in a row. He owns records that may never be touched, including FSU’s all-time marks in TD responsibility, QB rushing yards, QB rushing scores, and total offense. And don’t forget that he led the Noles back from the dead with double-digit wins in 2022 and 2023. This guy is the culture. So if Mike Norvell is trying to mold the next generation, who better than Travis to show them how it’s done? After all, a new QB is in place. 

Can Thomas Castellanos be the next MVP for Mike Norvell?

FSU cannot live in the past, especially not after that disastrous 2-10 season that made 2024 feel like a nightmare that’s hard to wake up from. This year, Doak Campbell’s being remodeled and Alabama’s coming to town in Week 1. So Mike Norvell is going to start the 2025 season feeling the pressure. But there’s one factor that keeps him optimistic, and that’s the Boston College transfer QB Thomas Castellanos. And the HC is all in — “Our expectations are for him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country.” A tall order, no doubt. 

Last season, a lower-body injury slowed Thomas Castellanos down. He was only able to rack up 1,366 yards and 18 TDs. But Mike Norvell is on a next-level high. After all, he who’s with him scouting every rep knows him better than anyone else. “He’s got great skill with his arm, with his legs,” he said. “But the thing I’ve been so impressed with is just his leadership.”

If Thomas Castellanos can command the locker room like Jordan Travis did, or better yet, with his senior helping him on the sideline, FSU might just climb back where it belongs. If not? Mike Norvell’s going to be answering tougher questions than the one about Travis.