It's been a little over a month since Florida State concluded its 2023 football season, but right now, no matter where coach Mike Norvell is, he'll likely be asked about the Seminoles being left out of last season's College Football Playoff.
It is an unhealed wound for some, leaving an emotional scar that provides a constant reminder of what could have been.
“There are people — whether you're going down the road recruiting at every high school or wherever — that will probably bring this up,” Norvell said. “But it is what it is. I can't control what happened, but at the end of the day, it's about this year, where we're going, and what lies ahead; it's about being the best we can be.”
Norvell kicked off his annual tour supporting the Seminoles with a stop in Orlando on Saturday night. The topic of the playoff snub is expected to come up several times during the evening.
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“I'm sure I'll hear it a few times about everyone's feelings, and you can feel yours,” Norvell said. “Those players who have terminated their eligibility and are no longer part of the program will live with those feelings the rest of their lives because of what happened, but what we can do as a program is push to make sure we use every experience and ability to grow from that experience.”
It was a return to glory for Florida State last season, as the Seminoles won 13 games for the first time since 2014. Along the way, FSU also won its 16th ACC championship, its first in more than a decade. A playoff spot seemed all but guaranteed until it wasn't.
When the final seedings were revealed on December 3, Florida State was eliminated from the four-team semifinals despite being undefeated and conference champion. Texas and Alabama, which had one loss each, jumped FSU into the final two spots.
Instead, the Seminoles spent the postseason in the Orange Bowl, facing the SEC runner-up: Georgia. The two-time national champion Bulldogs defeated a depleted FSU team 63-3 as more than a dozen players opted out of the game to either transfer or prepare for the NFL Draft.
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Since then, Norvell and his staff have been planning for the future.
FSU signed the No. 12 overall recruiting class in 2024 — its highest-ranked class since 2018 — and brought in a No. 4 transfer class that includes 15 players headlined by 10 four-star prospects led by quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
The Seminoles just completed the first phase of their winter workouts.
“The team entered the offseason with great purpose,” Norvell said. “[They’re] Pushing too hard in the weight room. The workload has increased to an all-time high since we've been here. Men embrace work.
“The guys are hungry and want to achieve more. Our goal is to get better. Last year was great and definitely a special year. But it didn't end the way we wanted. We want to push for more.”
The presence of Uiagalelei gives Florida State an experienced quarterback to replace longtime starter Jordan Travis.
“DJ brings you a veteran who's been through it all,” Norvell explained. He has been through the highest levels. He has played at an elite level at times during his career and has incredible potential, but he also has humility, a work ethic and a great personality.
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This is Uiagalelei's second time in the ACC, after spending his first three seasons at Clemson before transferring to Oregon State last season. While Uigaleei's time with the Tigers didn't go as expected, Norvell admits he didn't worry too much about other people's perceptions of his quarterback.
He added: “I believe in him and what he can do.” “I believe in the guy he brought to our program, and obviously I'm excited to see him continue to work and get better, and I hope he has the best year of his career here at Florida State.”
Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him at @osmattmurschel.
