Mike Norvell’s ride at Florida State has been nothing short of a thrill ride—equal parts hope and heartbreak. In 2023, the ‘Noles were on fire. A 13-1 record. Jordan Travis playing like a Heisman lock. FSU looked like a program reborn. However, the playoff snub? That only made their case stronger. Then came 2024—an absolute disaster. A stunning 2-10 collapse. Blowout losses. Headlines for all the wrong reasons. Now, Norvell finds himself back at square one, trying to rebuild what once looked like a powerhouse on the rise. Will Norvell be able to make a comeback in 2025?

Well, Mike Norvell isn’t backing down after Florida State’s brutal 2024 season. Knocked flat, he’s helping the Seminoles rise again. “I’m proud of our program… we are moving forward,” he said via SI. With Gus Malzahn now running the offense, Tony White leading the defense, and BC transfer Thomas Castellanos likely taking over at quarterback, Norvell has reshaped his staff and reset the tone. Honestly, the climb back starts now.

But as the recruiting grind intensifies, Mike Norvell finds himself riding with just one big quarterback target — Jayden O’Neal. On the May 22nd episode of Locked On Seminoles, recruiting analyst Brian Smith summed up the situation, stating, “Florida State’s all in on O’Neal… he took an unofficial visit not all that long ago, but he had a good trip.” Moreover, Smith added, “I don’t think he’s the greatest fit, but he thinks that they like to throw the ball down the field, play action, which is true under Miles. I just don’t know if he fits in terms of running the ball… definitely not like Castellanos.”

Now, it’s clear FSU has put its eggs in the O’Neal basket — and if they miss, the fallback options look thin. Be real, in a high-stakes QB market, swinging and missing could leave the Seminoles scrambling. Here, Brian Smith didn’t sugarcoat Florida State’s QB dilemma. “Bowe Bentley’s off the board. They’re not going to get Jared Curtis—he’s going to Georgia,” said Smith, pointing to a shrinking pool of options. Although the Seminoles chased several names, the momentum hasn’t been on their side. Landon Duckworth from Jackson, Alabama, remains a slim possibility — yet FSU is currently trailing.

So, with the misses stacking up, Smith made it clear: “Jayden O’Neal might be their best option.” Simply put, for Mike Norvell, it’s crunch time in the quarterback market — and the pressure’s building. Then Smith didn’t hold back when discussing FSU’s QB recruiting.

“You never really want to go a class without a QB, especially one that has a high ceiling,” he said. Adding, “At least somebody that’s got the raw material. But O’Neal’s got that talent.” Now, with top targets slipping away, the Seminoles might have no choice but to bet on O’Neal. “We’ll see if Florida State makes a move with him or somebody else,” stated Smith. “Right now, quarterback recruiting is pretty hard to decipher.”

Honestly, it’s clear — FSU’s QB puzzle is far from solved, and the clock is ticking. So, is there any chance for Norvell to land someone game-changing?

A golden chance for Mike Norvell

Recruiting analyst Brian Smith gave a quick snapshot of Florida State’s visit calendar, pointing out key moments ahead. The upcoming Friday is a dead weekend—no visits, no action. But the following weekend, starting May 30th, is where things heat up. And Smith highlighted that several priority targets will be in Tallahassee, calling it an important stretch for the Seminoles. However, big names like Samuel Roseborough, Johnni Jones, Kendall Guervil, and Camden Capehart are set to visit—prospects who could shape the future of FSU’s roster. “It’s a critical weekend,” noted Smith, underscoring just how much is riding on these upcoming visits.

Then, Brian Smith broke down Florida State’s busy official visit weekend coming up in early June. He pointed out a long list of talent headed to campus on June 6th—no particular order, but plenty of impact players. One standout is Michael Ionata from Calvary Christian, already committed to FSU. At 6’4½” and around 300 pounds, he’s a versatile offensive lineman who could slide in at center or guard for the Noles, or maybe even tackle.

Moreover, Smith noted that offensive line coach Herb Hand has been after him early, so bringing him in for an official visit this soon is a smart move. Smith called it an “old school Bobby Bowden style” approach—showcasing key prospects up close and personal to build that strong connection. Despite a tough recruiting trail, there is still hope for Mike Norvell to make a strong comeback this season.