Florida State football is struggling to build momentum
The Seminoles have faced a challenging year after finishing the 2023 season undefeated. Currently, Florida State football holds a record of 1-8 as they prepare for a game against Notre Dame, where they are significant underdogs. One of the main issues has been a defense that has allowed over 27 points per game.
While injuries have contributed to some of Florida State’s defensive struggles, a rebuild is necessary for this unit. Williams was seen as a potential future cornerstone in that rebuilding process. The 6’2″, 215-pound junior recorded 40 tackles and six tackles for loss during the eight games he played last year at Tavares High School.
Sadly, Williams is now heavily favored to join the Florida Gators, Florida State’s in-state rivals, whom Mike Norvell and his team will face on November 30th.
Looking ahead, the Seminoles have three more games this season. In addition to their matchups against Notre Dame and Florida, Florida State football will host Charleston Southern.
Even if the Seminoles manage to win their remaining games, they will still end up with their worst record since 1975. This is a surprising outcome for a program that was unexpectedly excluded from the College Football Playoff last year. However, there are still reasons for fans to remain hopeful about the future of the Noles.
Mike Norvell has a track record of success at every coaching stop, and the program has shown significant improvement each year under his leadership until this season. In his first four years at Florida State, Norvell’s teams recorded records of 3-6, 5-7, 10-3, and 13-1, with last year marking the program’s best winning season since 2014.
This year, however, has been a notable regression, and developments like Williams’ decommitment are disheartening. Nevertheless, Norvell is a coach who transformed a program that had just come off two losing seasons under Willie Taggart. He deserves, and is likely to receive, the benefit of the doubt as he works to rebuild the team.