It's weird. Just a couple of years ago, Florida State was the undisputed king of the ACC, looking like a perennial playoff lock. Now? Fans are scouring the internet for any scrap of Florida State Seminoles football news that suggests the bleeding has finally stopped. Honestly, it's been a rough ride. 7-17 over the last two seasons. That's a stat that makes any Nole fan want to look away.
But here we are in January 2026, and something feels different in Tallahassee. It’s not just the humidity. There’s a frantic, almost desperate energy in the Moore Athletic Center. Mike Norvell is back—a move that definitely split the fanbase—and he’s essentially rebuilding the roster from scratch. If you’ve been keeping up with the latest Florida State Seminoles football news, you know the transfer portal has basically become FSU’s primary grocery store.
The Quarterback Room: From Crisis to Competition
Let’s be real: the quarterback play lately has been... well, let’s go with "inconsistent." With Tommy Castellanos out of eligibility and Brock Glenn packing his bags for Western Kentucky, the cupboard was looking dangerously bare.
Then came the second week of January.
The big headliner is Ashton Daniels. He’s a senior transfer from Auburn who has seen it all in the SEC and the ACC (back from his Stanford days). He’s got over 4,700 career passing yards and, maybe more importantly for Gus Malzahn’s offense, almost 1,400 rushing yards. He’s the "safe" veteran pick. But don't sleep on Dean DeNobile.
"I believe in Florida State. I believe in what coach Norvell is doing." — Duce Robinson, WR
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
DeNobile just committed on Friday from Lafayette College. Yeah, Lafayette. But look at the numbers: 2,542 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. He’s 6'1", 198 pounds, and was a two-time captain. Norvell loves high-character guys who don't turn the ball over. Between Daniels, DeNobile, and the highly-touted freshman Kevin Sperry, we actually have a legitimate position battle for the first time in what feels like a decade.
The Transfer Portal Exodus (and Influx)
You’ve probably seen the headlines about 35 players leaving. 35! That is a staggering number of departures. It's easy to panic when you see guys like Earl Little Jr. heading to Ohio State or Justin Cryer jumping to Texas. It feels like a sinking ship.
But if you look closer at the Florida State Seminoles football news coming out of the front office, there’s a strategy here. General Manager John Garrett and Taylor Edwards are clearing the deck. They aren’t just losing players; they’re replacing them with specific pieces that fit the new identity.
Check out some of these incoming names:
- Xavier Chaplin (OL): This is huge. He’s started 37 straight games at the Power Four level (Virginia Tech and Auburn). You don't just find 90-grade tackles on the street.
- Nehemiah Chandler (DB): A Jacksonville native coming home from South Alabama. He led the Sun Belt in pass breakups.
- Rylan Kennedy (DE): Coming from Texas A&M. He played in 13 games during their CFP run last year. He brings that big-game experience the locker room desperately needs.
The "Desir Twins shocker" was also a massive win for the staff. Mandrell and Darryll Desir both flirted with the portal—Mandrell was a Freshman All-American—but they decided to stay. That alone saved the defensive line's floor for 2026.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Recruiting: The One Bright Spot
While the on-field product has been shaky, the high school recruiting has actually been... pretty great? FSU finished with a top-15 class in 2026.
Chauncey Kennon is the crown jewel. He’s a 5-star-adjacent corner out of Sarasota who could honestly start Day 1. Then there’s Jonah Winston. Yes, that Winston. Jameis was actually on campus this past Saturday for Junior Day, walking around with his younger brother. Having a Heisman winner and a program legend back in the building matters for optics, but Jonah is a legit talent in his own right. He’s an explosive athlete that Malzahn is reportedly "drooling over" for that gadget-receiver role.
Why 2026 Feels Different
It’s the staff. The Norvell-Malzahn-White trio has finally had a full cycle to sync up. Last year was a transition mess. This year, they have "their" guys. The legal drama with the ACC also seems to have cooled off after the settlement last March. Knowing the school is staying in the conference for now—with a better revenue share based on viewership—gives the boosters some breathing room to fund these NIL deals.
Speaking of NIL, the new College Sports Commission (CSC) is starting to flex its muscles. AD Michael Alford has been vocal about reporting deals correctly, which suggests FSU is trying to play this by the book to avoid any more NCAA headaches.
What to Watch Next
If you’re looking for the next big milestone in Florida State Seminoles football news, mark March 19 on your calendar. That’s when spring practice kicks off.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Keep an eye on these three things:
- The O-Line Chemistry: With Xavier Chaplin and several other portal additions, can they actually protect the QB for more than two seconds?
- The QB Hierarchy: Does Ashton Daniels take the "pole position" early, or does the kid Kevin Sperry show enough flashes to make it a real conversation?
- The Defensive Identity: Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense needs specific athletes. Watch if Rylan Kennedy and the Desir twins can create a consistent pass rush without needing to blitz six every play.
There isn't going to be a spring game this year because of the ongoing stadium construction at Doak Campbell. It sucks for the fans who want to tailgate, but it might be a blessing in disguise for a team that needs to work on its issues behind closed doors.
The path back to 10 wins is steep. It might not even happen in 2026. But for the first time in a while, it feels like there’s actually a map.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the Spring Tracker: Since there's no spring game, local beat writers will be the only eyes on the 15 practices starting March 19.
- Monitor the Post-Spring Portal: April usually sees a second wave of transfers. Expect FSU to look for one more veteran linebacker and maybe a depth tight end.
- Check the TV Ratings: The new ACC revenue model rewards viewership. Every set of eyes on a Noles game literally puts more money in the program's pocket now.
***