A Disastrous 2024 Season: Florida State’s Offensive Struggles Unraveled
The 2024 season for Florida State Football was nothing short of a catastrophic experiment in missed opportunities and underperformance. While some fans pointed fingers at DJ Uiagalelei’s lackluster quarterback play, others blamed a dismal rushing attack that couldn’t seem to gain any traction. The sheer number of dropped passes—more than 25 throughout the season—only compounded the misery. But, if we’re being brutally honest, a single glaring problem overshadowed all of these issues: the offensive line.
When Darius Washington Jr., one of FSU’s top offensive linemen, suffered an injury, the floodgates of failure were opened wide. The offensive line crumbled, allowing 48 sacks—the most in the entire country. As a result, the quarterbacks were running for their lives, and the running backs had nowhere to go. DJ Uiagalelei, despite his struggles, would have likely been more productive if his line could have even given him a fraction of the protection he needed. Even Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn—the backup quarterbacks—couldn’t salvage the situation. The verdict was in: a major overhaul of the offensive line was essential if Florida State had any hope of success in the future.
The Radical Overhaul: Mike Norvell’s Aggressive Recruiting to Fix the Line
Enter Mike Norvell—a man on a mission. Determined to bring Florida State back to its former glory, Norvell wasted no time hitting the recruiting trail to fix the one glaring flaw that plagued his offense. He pulled in some of the top offensive line prospects in the country, including Luke Petibon from Wake Forest, Jaelyne Matthews from Rutgers, Micah Pettus from Ole Miss, and Gunnar Hansen from Vanderbilt. These signings marked a dramatic shift for the offensive line—something that, until now, had been a source of constant frustration.
But Norvell wasn’t done. In a move that shocked some and impressed many, he added yet another offensive line gem to the mix: Joshua Raymond, a promising redshirt freshman offensive tackle from Vanderbilt, who had entered the transfer portal. This was no ordinary recruit. Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 300 pounds, Raymond is a physical specimen with the potential to dominate at the next level. A former Under Armour All-American, Raymond has the pedigree and the experience—though untested in college games—to make an impact for the Seminoles. And the icing on the cake? Raymond hails from Lake Mary, Florida, bringing him closer to home and possibly adding a personal connection to his decision to transfer to Florida State.
Joshua Raymond’s Arrival: A Glimmer of Hope for the Offensive Line
Raymond’s commitment to FSU isn’t just a recruitment win—it’s a statement. Florida State’s offensive line, which had been utterly woeful in 2024, now has a fresh infusion of talent and competition. Raymond’s combination of size, skill, and high school accolades sets him up to be a key player in the rebuilding effort. Though he didn’t play in the 2024 season for Vanderbilt, his SEC experience could provide valuable insights for a Florida State team eager to get back to dominance. Norvell has managed to completely flip the script for a line that was once a liability, and this revamped group could be the difference-maker for FSU in 2025 and beyond.
The Quarterback Question: Mike Norvell Adds Depth and Insurance Behind Castellanos
While the offensive line was undoubtedly the primary focus of the rebuild, Mike Norvell knew that the quarterback position needed attention as well. Enter Thomas Castellanos, the highly touted transfer from Boston College, who was expected to take the reins as QB1. However, Norvell knew that depth at quarterback was essential if Florida State wanted to avoid the same struggles it faced last season. And so, he went to work.
In a move that further solidified Florida State’s depth chart, Mike Norvell pulled in yet another exciting quarterback prospect: Jaylen King from ETSU (East Tennessee State University). King, a dual-threat quarterback, had a phenomenal season in 2024, racking up 1,536 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and a 52.5% completion rate. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. King also showed his mobility, scoring 5 rushing touchdowns—the third-most in a single season in ETSU’s history.
Why is King such a valuable addition? Not only does he bring solid experience as a starting quarterback, but his dual-threat ability means that he could step in and provide a spark at any moment if Castellanos falters or gets injured. In Norvell’s eyes, King’s potential is limitless. “He has great size, ability, and potential that we look forward to seeing develop in the years ahead,” Norvell said. And with the possibility of redshirting, King will have time to adapt to the FSU system and compete for a starting role in the near future.
Florida State’s QB Room: A Deep and Dangerous Competition
With Castellanos firmly at the helm and King now in the fold, the quarterback room at Florida State looks better than ever. There’s no longer a glaring weakness, but instead a fierce competition for the starting role. For Norvell, this is exactly what he needed: a quarterback who can lead, but also an experienced backup who can step up if needed. With Castellanos bringing the big-play potential and King adding the dual-threat option, Florida State’s offense is about to get a serious overhaul.
Conclusion: Florida State’s Resurgence Under Mike Norvell
What Mike Norvell has done in a single offseason is nothing short of spectacular. By landing some of the top offensive line prospects in the country and adding a versatile quarterback like Jaylen King, he has ensured that Florida State’s 2025 season will be a dramatically different story. The once-leaky offensive line is now looking like a unit that can protect its quarterback and open up lanes for the running game. And with Castellanos leading the charge and King lurking in the wings, the Seminoles are poised to shock the ACC and possibly make a serious run at the college football playoff. The foundation is laid, and FSU’s future is looking brighter than ever.
