Two games in, Uiagalelei has been erratic at best, and he was booed against Boston College, where the crowd also chanted for the backup, Glenn. In two games, Uiagalelei has thrown for 465 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he is averaging just 6.7 yards per completion.
The other portal additions have been quiet, too. Defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., whom the staff raved about all spring and summer, has been neutralized as a threat (two total tackles). Alabama transfer receiver Malik Benson ranks third on the team in receiving yards. Roydell Williams leads the team in rushing but is averaging only 3.2 yards per carry.
Asked after the Boston College game whether he had missed on his portal evaluations, Norvell responded tersely, "Obviously I've not done a good job putting our guys in a position to showcase what I believe that they are. So I'll be better."
But the issues go beyond the portal players. Between 2020 and 2023, Florida State signed 25 ESPN 300 players; 13 remain on the team. Three are starters. Players Florida State wants to rely on -- including DJ Lundy and defensive end Pat Payton -- had to be persuaded to return to the Seminoles in the first place. In December, Payton threatened to enter the portal before changing his mind; Lundy entered the portal, and committed to Colorado, before opting to stay with the Seminoles.
What also has been glaring is the lack of leadership. Perhaps the staff thought replacing 10 NFL draft picks would not be as difficult as it has been, both from a standpoint of production and leadership. "Travis, Verse and Fiske were all next-level guys who had been through the battles, and they don't have it this year," another opposing coach said.
Florida State worked the entire offseason on this needed intangible. Norvell held a retreat for the veterans who made up his leadership council in January, six months earlier than usual, understanding he had a new group that had big shoes to fill. Players in March discussed the need to get to know each other better, identifying three key words to building a successful team: relationships, accountability and mindset.
At a team meeting the day before spring practice began, center Maurice Smith told his teammates to get out of their comfort zones and start building relationships with guys outside their position groups: "We're not here for NIL," Smith told them. "We're here to create a team and make a run. We only go as far as our relationship goes."
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