FSU football recruiting has changed. This will be evident in the game against Georgia Tech

The most interesting message from Florida State football coach Mike Norvell at the ACC opener last month was not something he said on stage.

It was the person who went there with him.

The Seminoles’ three player representatives – Patrick Payton, Darius Washington and Joshua Farmer – were not transfers, like Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman and the rest of the portal stars who helped Norvell rebuild the Seminoles.

They all signed with FSU out of high school, making them important pieces of the homegrown talent that will play an outsized role in whether the No. 10 ‘Noles reposition themselves as ACC championship and playoff contenders, starting Saturday in Ireland with their Week 0 opener against Georgia Tech.

Norvell’s portal championship is no secret. For the past three seasons, a transfer has been FSU’s best player in rushing, passing, tackling and sacks (and for the past two seasons, in receiving). Excluding specialists, 14 Seminoles were selected at least to the ACC’s third team last season. Nine were transfers.

And, crucially, all nine are gone. Someone needs to fill their starting spots and star power. Homegrown talent is a good start.

Leading tackle Tatum Bethune (of UCF) is in the NFL, giving four-star sophomore Blake Nichelson and Seminole fifth-year sophomore DJ Lundy more opportunities.

Rushing leader Trey Benson (Oregon) is also in the league and gives Pinellas Park High graduate Lawrance Toafili more ball contacts.

Sack leader Jared Verse (Albany) is also now a pro, which means even more of a spotlight for Payton, the 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

“It’s still about putting together the most talented team,” Norvell told reporters at the ACC opener.

The only thing that has changed (slightly) is the process.

It’s important to remember that transfers weren’t necessarily a big part of Norvell’s plan. During his introductory press conference, he twice emphasized the importance of Florida’s high school players, but he never used the words “transfer” or “portal.”

But Norvell quickly accepted them, either out of necessity (FSU needed new staff immediately), out of opportunity (the pandemic limited his staff’s ability to recruit from a new state’s high schools) or for some other reason.

The balance has shifted in recruiting. By Norvell’s calculation, his last two classes were about 65% high school recruits and 35% transfer players.

The shift is also reflected in the lineup. Last year against Miami, 13 of FSU’s 22 starters were transfers (59%). Of the 28 starters/co-starters in Saturday’s lineup, only 15 are transfers (54%).

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It is time for domestic development to be put into practice.

Farmer is one of the most athletic defensive tackles in the country and still has a gear to go. FSU’s question marks at the receiver position can be cleared with the emergence of one of Norvell’s first recruits (Ja’Khi Douglas) or his top prep prospect (five-star sophomore Hykeem Williams). Two of the first players Norvell highlighted for improvement were cornerback Azareye’h Thomas and safety Shyheim Brown; both have all-conference potential.

To be clear, transfers will shape FSU’s season, no matter how it turns out. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson/Oregon State) is the most important player on the team. It should come as no surprise if tackle Darrell Jackson (Miami) emerges as FSU’s best defensive player.

But championships were still won in the Portal era with teams built on recruiting, developing and retaining traditional high school players. FSU’s roster is starting to head in that direction. It’s time for the results to reflect that.

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