No matter how last season ended for Florida State football, coach Mike Norvell is confident this year’s team can continue the program’s push to be included among the nation’s elite.
Norvell discussed his team’s expectations Monday during the 2024 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The defending conference champions, who have won 23 games the past two seasons, are coming off a 13-1 year that ended with a lopsided defeat to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
Norvell, however, said his team had a productive offseason and pointed to its experience with 53 returning lettermen.
“We’ve got a lot of experience, and guys have contributed to helping elevate the program to where it is,” Norvell said.
“Now all of our focus goes into the task at hand.”
Norvell’s mindset is improving his roster and returning to championship contention. FSU is returning 10 starters (four offense, four defense and two special teams). It lost seven starters each on offense and defense and one on special teams.
“Our objective this year is to go get better,” Norvell said. “Coming off what was a 13-0 regular season and championship game was something that was really a special experience for our entire program.
“It sets the stage and opportunity for us to continue to push and continue to elevate this program to ultimately where it deserves to be.
“That’s among the nation’s elite when you look across the course of college football.”
FSU was active in the transfer portal in the offseason, signing 15 players in the 2024 class. Notable players in the group include quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, wide receiver Malik Benson, and Marvin Jones Jr.
Norvell’s successes in the transfer portal led to the perfect regular season record and winning its 16th ACC title last season. He explained his view on building a roster using the transfer portal as a tool to complement recruited signees.
“It’s still about putting together the most talented team,” Norvell said. “Building that team is something I thought was really an X factor for us there a year ago, really the last few seasons.
“When you see guys with all different journeys and experiences come together, how much they care about each other, the willingness to invest, challenge and encourage each other throughout the circumstances that are going to show up. I think this team has really embraced that.”
FSU’s first two games are ACC games.
In Week 0, FSU faces Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 24 at noon.
The Seminoles then host Boston College on Labor Day weekend at Doak Campbell Stadium. ESPN will broadcast both games.
Norvell talked about the urgency of the Seminoles because of the back-to-back ACC games to the start the season,
“There’s a sense of urgency to get off to the best start we possibly can,” Norvell said. “Excited about the steps ahead. Looking forward to getting back on the practice field here this week.”
Mike Norvell believes Florida State’s defense is as ‘deep as it’s ever been’
Norvell is excited about this year’s defense, not just from a talent standpoint but also because of its depth. FSU lost seven defensive starters from last season, leaving a new group of players expected to take larger roles.
Norvell highlighted the mixture of playing with returning starters and transfer portal additions.
“I think our defense is as deep as it’s ever been,” Norvell said.
“Been able to have some guys that have grown throughout their time here. But also coupling that with some newcomers that have come in, whether Marvin Jones, Jr., Sione Lolohea, Cam Riley that’s joined in.
“You know, Earl Little, different guys that have been able to come in and complement the guys around that you’re really fired up about what that group can be.”
When asked which defensive players could be the next man up, he answered with his All-ACC players in attendance: in defensive linemen Patrick Payton and Joshua Farmer.
Linebacker DJ Lundy was also mentioned. He is expected to lead the young linebacking corps after the loss of Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach.
Norvell has high expectations for the secondary, including his two returning cornerbacks, Fentrell Cypress and Azareye’h Thomas. Based on what they bring, Norvell is confident that the duo can play at a higher level.
“I think we got two of the best corners in the ACC, guys that are All-American type capabilities in Fentrell Cypress and Azareye’h Thomas,” Norvell said. “Experienced backfield with length, size, ability.”
Florida State Seminoles 2024 Football Schedule
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Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at Noon., ESPN
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Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
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Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
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Sept. 21 vs. California
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Sept. 28 at SMU
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Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
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Oct. 18 at Duke
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Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
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Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
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Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
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Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
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Nov. 30: Florida
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Dec. 7: ACC Championship
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football’s Mike Norvell: Why this year may be better than 2023
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