The Seminoles returned to the mountain top of the ACC last season, winning their first championship since 2014. Despite losing players to the portal and NFL Draft, Mike Norvell remains confident in his team’s ability to defend their title.
“Our objective this year is to get better. Coming off what was a 13-0 regular season and championship game was something that was a really special experience for our entire program. It sets the stage and opportunity for us to continue to push and continue to elevate this program to where it ultimately needs to be.”
Florida State’s defense remains the crown jewel of the conference, spearheaded by edge rusher Patrick Payton, defensive lineman Joshua Farmer, and defensive back Fentrell Cypress. Payton mentioned his growth as a player and how it has helped both on the field and off. “I’m not going to lie. My mindset was all wrong when I got to Florida State. I had a bad mindset, I was discouraged. But it changed when I realized what playing for this institution meant.”
Payton learned from veterans like Jared Verse and Brian Burns, who now both play in the NFL, especially their dedication to putting on weight while also maintaining their speed. “I went to Brian Burns’ workout and realized that I needed to put on more weight. Coach Storms helped me a lot. Even though I added weight, I was able to keep my speed with footwork and explosiveness. I feel like I can make a bigger impact than ever.”
The Florida State Seminoles have seen a massive shift in culture in recent years, and their outlook on the coming season is filled with optimism. However, with three new additions to the conference, the task of repeating as ACC Champions may be harder than ever.
