One of my favorite things about Tomahawk Nation is how many articles have been generated from great questions in the comment sections. Props to TN community member JP Money for the comments that led to this one.
Mike Norvell approaches his sixth season as the head coach for Florida State Seminoles this fall. Five complete seasons in charge provides enough solid data to inform how high school signee retention and development is going, so I figured I’d take a look to see how many prep enrollees were retained and have developed into contributors for the program (or are expected to this coming season). I defined “contributors” as players who have been full-time or partial starters, significant role players, or consistent depth options over the course of their careers in Tallahassee.
Come with me down the rabbit hole.
* means expected to compete for a starting role for the 2025 season
+ means likely to be in the rotation/contribute during 2025 season
++ means likely to take a redshirt during 2025 season
~ means out of eligibility/playing professionally
2020 (ranked 22nd, 24 enrollees)
High level/impact starter for multiple seasons
-P Alex Mastromanno ~
-WR Ja’Khi Douglas ~
-RB Lawrance Toafili ~
Solid depth/partial starter for multiple seasons
-WR Kentron Poitier ~
-TE Biscuit Douglas * (transferred, then transferred back)
-OL Robert Scott ~
-LB/FB DJ Lundy ~
Minimal/no impact
-QB Chubba Purdy (transferred)
-QB Tate Rodemaker (transferred)
-RB Ladamian Webb (transferred)
-WR Darion Williamson (transferred)
-WR Corey Wren (transferred)
-WR Bryan Robinson (transferred)
-TE Carter Boatwright (transferred)
-OL Thomas Shrader (transferred)
-OL Lloyd Willis (transferred)
-OL Zane Herring (transferred)
-DE Josh Griffis (transferred)
-LB Stephen Dix (transferred)
-LB TJ Davis (transferred)
-LB Jayion McCluster (transferred)
-DB Demorie Tate (transferred)
-DB Jadarius Green-McKnight (transferred)
-DB Sidney Williams (transferred)
Transition classes, am I right? The first recruiting class for any new coaching staff needs to be viewed through the expectation of heavy attrition. There were also some serious misevaluations in this cycle (Tate, Purdy, Robinson). Norvell managed to sign an award-winning punter and a few consistent starters and depth pieces. Everything else? Woof… but an expected woof.
Of the players who transferred, the only ones who found success are La’Damian Webb (two 1000 yard seasons at South Alabama), Jadarius Green-McKnight (became a starter last season for the Marshall Thundering Herd), Zane Herring (starter for the USF Bulls the past two seasons), Sidney Williams (rotational player for the Missouri Tigers), and Stephen Dix (starter for the Arkansas Razorbacks last season). Transition classes…
Contributor rate: 29%
Transfer rate: 75%
2021 (ranked 23rd, 17 enrollees)
High level/impact starter for multiple seasons
-DE Pat Payton (transferred)
-DT Josh Farmer ~
-CB Kevin Knowles ~
-S Shyheim Brown *
Solid depth/partial starter for multiple seasons
-WR Destyn Hill (transferred)
-WR Malik McClain (transferred)
-DB Omarion Cooper (transferred, transferred back to FSU, then transferred to Memphis)
Minimal/no impact
-WR Josh Burrell (transferred)
-TE Jackson West (transferred)
-TE Koby Gross (transferred)
-OL Bryson Estes +
-OL Rod Orr (transferred)
-DE George Wilson (transferred)
-DE Byron Turner (transferred)
-DL Shambre Jackson (transferred)
-LB Jordan Eubanks (transferred)
-CB Hunter Washington (transferred)
#Tribe21 yielded a couple of high-level starters developed in-house, though the three partial starter/depth options all transferred. The Destyn Hill situation was particularly frustrating due to FSU’s commendable patience and loyalty to him, but that’s just where we are in college football today. Bryson Estes has remarkably stuck around despite never starting (remember when Alex Atkins chose Estes over Jake Slaughter? Oof).
Of the transfers, George Wilson (played well for Campbell and is now with the South Carolina Gamecocks) and Hunter Washington (starter for Mississippi State Bulldogs with varied success) are the only ones who’ve done anything elsewhere. It sounds like Byron Turner (Tulsa), Jackson West (Western Kentucky), and Jordan Eubanks (UNLV) could be starters this coming season. Shambre Jackson (UMass) is a strong contender for biggest bust of the Norvell era.
Contributor rate: 41%
Transfer rate: 76%
2022 (ranked 20th, 17 enrollees)
High level/impact starter for multiple seasons
-CB Azareye’h Thomas ~
Solid depth/partial starter for multiple seasons
-OL Jaylen Early (transferred)
-LB Omar Graham *
-DL Daniel Lyons *
Minimal/no impact
-QB AJ Duffy (transferred)
-RB Rodney Hill (transferred)
-TE Brian Courtney (transferred)
-TE Jerrale Powers (transferred)
-OL Julian Armella (transferred)
-OL Kanaya Charlton (transferred)
-OL Daughtry Richardson (transferred)
-OL Antavious Woody (transferred)
-OL Qae’shon Sapp (transferred)
-DL Bishop Thomas (transferred)
-DL Aaron Hester (transferred)
-DL Ayo Tifase (transferred)
-DB Sam McCall (transferred)
For me, this is easily the most disappointing class of high school enrollees in the Norvell era. Though it boasts the biggest singular success among Norvell prep signees in New York Jets first-rounder Azareye’h Thomas and still has a bit of hope with Omar Graham and Daniel Lyons, the class is littered with underachievers and failed development.
Some weren’t surprising, whether due to attitude (we said from the minute he committed that Sam McCall had too much quit in his film and wouldn’t amount to anything if the attitude didn’t improve, and Antavious Woody couldn’t cut it academically), skill level (Jerrale Powers, Bishop Thomas) or to unclear positional pathways (Aaron Hester, Brian Courtney). Others were highly disappointing or surprising, either due to immature decisions (Rodney Hill fiasco and Ayo Tifase throwing a fit over losing his jersey number), horrible development (all six offensive linemen from Atkins’ first big signee class, including four blue-chips, were underdeveloped to various degrees and transferred out), or missed evaluations (Julian Armella, AJ Duffy). Armella in particular will haunt me- I never thought things would end up the way they did. Regardless, this class is a low point for Norvell.
Contributor rate: 24%
Transfer rate: 82%
2023 (ranked 20th, 19 enrollees)
High level/impact starter for multiple seasons
-DB KJ Kirkland *
Solid depth/partial starter for multiple seasons
-QB Brock Glenn +
-WR Hykeem Williams (transferred)
-OL Andre Otto +
-LB Blake Nichelson *
-DB Quindarrius Jones *
-DB Edwin Joseph *
-DB Jabril Rawls *
-DB Conrad Hussey +
-DB Ashlynd Barker +
Minimal/no impact
-RB Sam Singleton +
-WR Vandrevius Jacobs (transferred)
-WR Goldie Lawrence (transferred)
-OL Lucas Simmons +
-DL KJ Sampson +
-DL Lamont Green Jr. (transferred)
-DL Jaden Jones +
-LB DeMarco Ward (transferred)
-LB Dylan Brown-Turner (transferred)
#Tribe23 was a rebound of sorts for the coaching staff, landing its first consensus five-star signee and several players with great upside. This is the first class under Norvell where we see a contributor rate above 50%, with crucial 2025 seasons ahead for developmental prospects like Lucas Simmons and KJ Sampson. It’s very disappointing to see Hykeem Williams fail to reach his potential due to injuries and poor coaching, and the wide receiver enrollees in this cycle have all transferred away. This is also the first class with multiple “Randy Shannon special” linebackers.
The defensive backs, on the other hand, are the brightest spot in the class. Patrick Surtain’s group has a 100% retention rate and all of them are contributors despite various levels of injuries. KJ Kirkland in particular has been a success and this season should give plenty of opportunity to the others. The new coaching staff members inherit some nice talent and experience among #Tribe23 and once they establish their preferred pecking order, I think we’ll see some more attrition from this class after the season.
Contributor rate: 53%
Transfer rate: 32%
2024 (ranked 12th, 23 enrollees)
High level/impact starter for multiple seasons
-TE Landen Thomas *
Solid depth/partial starter for multiple seasons
-QB Luke Kromenhoek (transferred)
-RB Kam Davis +
-TE Amaree Williams *
Minimal/no impact
-RB/WR Macahi Danzy +
-WR Elijah Moore *
-WR BJ Gibson +
-WR Camdon Frier +
-WR Lawayne McCoy *
-OL Jon Daniels +
-OL Tye Hylton +
-OL Jayden Todd +
-OL Manasse Itete +
-DL D’Nas White (transferred)
-DL DD Holmes (transferred)
-DL Jamorie Flagg +
-LB Jayden Parrish +
-LB Timir Hickman-Collins (transferred)
-DB Charles Lester +
-DB Jamari Howard +
-DB Cai Bates +
-DB Ricky Knight II +
-K Jake Weinberg *
The highest-rated class under Norvell’s tenure, #Tribe24 was a masterclass in landing blue-chip offensive and defensive skill players. Four defensive backs, two running backs, two tight ends, a quarterback, and four wide receivers, all of them consensus four-star prospects. Kam Davis is a rotational back while Landen Thomas is a blossoming star. The biggest disappointment so far has been the unexpected transfer of Kromenhoek after both sides couldn’t agree on a number. DD Holmes was another defection the staff couldn’t allay, and my goodness, that transfer rate among Shannon linebackers.
The upcoming season will be huge for this cycle’s enrollees. Elijah Moore, Micahi Danzy, and Lawayne McCoy will push for larger roles in the wide receiver rotation, while we should also see the developmental progress of the four defensive backs. Jake Weinberg also steps into the starting kicker role. More attrition will come as certain players fall down the depth chart.
Contributor rate: 17%
Transfer rate: 17%
2025 (ranked 19th, 23 enrollees)
-QB Kevin Sperry ++
-RB Ousmane Kromah *
-WR Jayvan Boggs *
-WR Tae’shaun Gelsey +
-WR Teriq Mallory ++
-WR Jordan Scott (transferred)
-TE Chase Loftin +
-OL Mario Nash Jr ++
-OL Chastan Brown ++
-OL Chavez Thompson ++
-OL Sean Poret ++
-DL Kevin Wynn +/++
-DL LaJesse Harold +/++
-DL Tylon Lee +/++
-DL Tyeland Coleman +
-DL Darryll Desir ++
-DL Mandrell Desir ++
-LB Ethan Pritchett ++
-DB Greg “Xae” Thomas +/++
-DB Shamar Arnoux +/++
-DB Max Redmon ++
-DB Antonio Cromartie Jr ++
I debated whether or not to include this group but since there has already been one defection in Jordan Scott and there are a handful of expected contributors in Kromah, Boggs, Loftin, and maybe Gelsey and some of the defensive linemen, I figured why not.