A top college football insider believes the Florida State football program is set up to be a serious title contender in 2024 and beyond because of its impressive success in the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness deals.
After some early struggles in the first two seasons with Mike Norvell leading the program, the Florida State Seminoles have had back-to-back double-digit win years. And in 2023, they took home their first ACC championship in nearly a decade.
Yet, what makes the Seminoles’ success fascinating, is they are not having the same notable recruiting developments as they did under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. Schools like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State have had more success in that classic roster-building avenue than Florida State in recent years.
However, Norvell and the program have excelled in other areas that have become very important for roster-building.
Florida State football dominating in NIL and transfer portal markets
College sports, especially football, have had a massive paradigm shift in recruiting over the last five years due to the impact of NIL deals and the expansion of the transfer portal. And ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg says FSU is built to keep winning many more games because they excel in their NIL and transfer operations.
“You could really change your team if you work the portal effectively. Certain programs have done that. Even ones who haven’t recruited at the top five level,” Rittenberg told Sportsanut. “You look at Florida State and their success. Still a good recruiting operation, but they’re not recruiting at the level they were when Jimbo Fisher was coach. But they’re also working the portal and NIL — which go together — about as well as any program in the country.
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“They’ve been able to add players like Jared Verse and other defensive linemen. They’ve been able to add receivers like Johnny Wilson. Even Jordan Travis was a transfer way back when at quarterback. They’ve really changed their roster largely through the portal and their NIL operation.”
Florida State made headlines to start the month when they were shockingly left out of the college football playoffs in 2023 despite an undefeated record and ACC championship. However, based on what Rittenberg says, they should be a fixture in the expanded playoffs for many seasons ahead.
