Florida State University hits the practice fields this afternoon for the first time in what many are already calling a pivotal year for the Seminoles. With the echoes of last season’s heartbreak still lingering in Tallahassee, the beginning of fall camp signals more than just a return to football—it marks the start of a mission. A mission to bounce back. A mission to reclaim dominance. And a mission to remind everyone why FSU football still matters in the national conversation.
The sting of being left out of the College Football Playoff despite an undefeated regular season still burns in the minds of Seminole players, coaches, and fans alike. That frustration, though, has not turned into bitterness—it has transformed into fuel. Every returning player who felt the gut punch of that exclusion now brings an edge to the field, a focus that can’t be taught and a chip that can’t be knocked off easily. The practice fields today will be littered with purpose, sweat, and redemption-driven effort.
Mike Norvell enters this season with both pressure and promise. He’s no longer just the coach who turned a flailing program into an ACC powerhouse—he’s the coach who must now navigate the high expectations of a program that believes it was robbed of its rightful place. With an influx of new talent, a wave of returning stars, and one of the most energized fanbases in the country, Norvell understands that this season isn’t just about wins—it’s about making a statement.
The quarterback battle alone is enough to draw national attention. After losing Jordan Travis to the NFL, all eyes are on the new signal-caller who will have the tall task of stepping into massive shoes. Whether it’s redshirt sophomore Brock Glenn, highly-touted freshman Luke Kromenhoek, or transfer addition Max Johnson, the decision made during camp could define the offense’s rhythm all season long. Each brings different strengths to the table, but all are being judged by one common metric: can they win, and can they lead?
FSU’s offensive weapons remain one of the most dynamic units in the country. From a deep running back room anchored by explosive returners to a wide receiver corps that balances size, speed, and hands, there is no shortage of options for whoever takes snaps under center. Johnny Wilson may be gone, but the coaching staff has recruited and developed an arsenal of pass-catchers ready to shine. Destyn Hill, Hykeem Williams, and Kentron Poitier are just a few names to watch as camp unfolds.
Defensively, the Seminoles face the dual challenge of replacing key NFL departures while maintaining the physical, ball-hawking identity they carved out in 2024. Jared Verse, Tatum Bethune, and Renardo Green may have left the locker room, but players like Patrick Payton, Shyheim Brown, and Kalen DeLoach are prepared to step into leadership roles. Expect defensive coordinator Adam Fuller to use camp as a testing ground for new blitz packages, coverage wrinkles, and personnel groupings that he hopes will elevate this unit to elite status once again.
The 2025 schedule is unforgiving, and Norvell knows it. With early marquee matchups and a target on their backs, the Seminoles won’t have the luxury of ramping up slowly. That’s why today matters. Every rep, every sprint, every call-out from a position coach is about building the mentality needed to survive and thrive in what could be one of the most competitive years in college football history.
Even the younger players and true freshmen entering their first fall camp are aware of the stakes. There’s no easing into the culture at FSU anymore. It’s trial by fire, and those who can’t handle the intensity of these early practices will find themselves buried on the depth chart quickly. But those who do rise—those who show up with the hunger and resilience that defined Seminole greats of the past—will earn their shot to make an impact when the lights come on.
For the fans, today brings more than a glimmer of hope. It brings life back into the program. After months of anticipation, speculation, and recruiting wins, seeing their team finally take the field is a visceral reminder that college football is back, and that FSU is ready to fight. They’ve heard all offseason that the ACC is wide open, that other schools are nipping at their heels. But Florida State doesn’t just want to win the conference. They want to run the table. They want to control their destiny. And this time, they want to make sure no committee can keep them out.
There’s also an emotional component to today’s practice that can’t be understated. For the players who stuck around, who turned down the transfer portal or delayed the leap to the NFL, this camp is the reward for their loyalty. And for the coaches who were criticized after last year’s finish, it’s a fresh opportunity to write a different ending. There’s a defiance in the air—a quiet intensity that suggests this team is not here to participate. They’re here to dominate.
In the days ahead, storylines will emerge. Depth chart battles will intensify. Unexpected freshmen will flash brilliance. Veterans will rise as captains. But all of it starts today. The bounce back doesn’t begin on opening night. It begins with every cleat that digs into the grass this afternoon, every whistle that pierces the humidity, and every huddle that tightens around a shared goal: to prove that FSU football is not just back—but that it’s built to last.
This isn’t just a new season. This is a campaign of redemption. And for Florida State, the road to glory begins on the practice field, one determined step at a time.
