The downfall of FSU needs to be studied. The Seminoles went from undefeated 8-0 kings of the ACC in 2023 to full-blown chaos in 2024. Straight up 2-10 overall. The worst season ever for a preseason top-10 team. That’s not just a drop; that’s a nosedive with no parachute. Mike Norvell watched his roster get gutted, fanbase heated, and the vibe shift from championship dreams to therapy sessions. So what did he do? He straight-up spun the block and brought in two big-time answers: Gus Malzahn to run the offense and Boston College’s shifty QB Thomas Castellanos to cook. But the real eye-opener? The 5-star weapon they cooked for FSU’s offense.

Enter: Duce Robinson. National analyst Cody Bellaire pulled up to On3 and didn’t hesitate when asked about a breakout star for the Noles: “I’m going to go with the incoming transfer who was a five-star prospect coming out of high school and that would be wide receiver Duce Robinson…Okay, so the Seminoles bring in a new QB, Tommy Castellanos, bring in a new OC—it’s Gus Malzahn, who definitely fits more of what Tommy Castellanos wants to do in this offense. And I think in the passing game, they want to be explosive.”

He broke it down like a coach diagramming film—Gus Malzahn thrives with big-bodied wideouts, and Robinson’s built like an NFL mismatch nightmare. Bellaire added, “Malzahn has done a good job of delivering some explosive offenses with all kinds of different pass-catchers thriving. But when it relates to Duce Robinson, I want us to go back in time a little bit, okay? Auburn, Gus Malzahn in the 2010s, when some of his leading receivers were Ricardo Louis, Tony Stevens, Seth Williams—you know, bigger-bodied, old-school X-type receivers. And that’s sort of the role in which I think Duce Robinson will fill in this Florida State offense—catching anywhere from 45 to 60 passes, but he’ll average over 15 yards a catch and he’ll probably sniff somewhere in the 10-touchdown range. You know, this offense wants to run the ball. But in order to do that successfully, you have to have an explosive downfield passing game. And I think Duce Robinson is going to play a massive factor in that for Florida State in 2025.”

Let’s talk facts. Duce Robinson ain’t your average pass-catcher. Duce is 6’6″, 220, runs like a slot and jumps like a hooper. He started at USC under Lincoln Riley’s air raid circus, where he dropped 747 yards and 7 touchdowns over two years. In his freshman year alone, he was averaging 21.9 yards a pop. He had DBs out there doing TikTok spins. And the wildest part? He wasn’t even the feature guy. That’s why he dipped from USC in search of a bigger spotlight—and where’d he land? Right back at daddy’s old stomping grounds: Florida State. Full circle.

Mike Norvell ain’t hiding the hype either. He called Duce a “matchup nightmare” and hinted they plan to use him everywhere. Red zone iso, seam routes, bubble screens—they might line him up at running back if they get bored. He’s not playing tight end anymore either. Duce went full WR mode, and it’s paying off heavy. Body control? Silky. Hands? Vice grips. And when the ball’s in the air? It’s his.

So when you plug Duce into a Malzahn system with a QB like Castellanos—who thrives on improv, speed, and chaos—you get fireworks. Gus knows how to scheme up guys like Duce. Go back to Auburn days—Ricardo Louis, Seth Williams, all those tall freaks that went deep and ate up corners. That’s exactly the role Duce is about to take on. 45 to 60 catches? Easy. Over 15 yards per grab? Book it. Double-digit tuddies? Hit the parlay. Now, while fans geek out over the new weapons, Norvell’s dealing with the messy side of roster flipping. Yup—the mass exodus.

Mike Norvell on FSU’s mass exodus

With the spring transfer portal cracking open, FSU’s locker room got some fresh air—and some folks dipped out. Quarterback Trever Jackson, offensive lineman Jaylen Early, and wideout Jordan Scott, all hitting the exit. And more names might be sliding out soon. Norvell’s not trying to sugarcoat it. “There’s not a whole lot of surprises that happen, but there’s a whole lot of real conversations,” Norvell said. He knows what time it is. You build a new core; some pieces aren’t going to fit anymore. He added, “There are definitely some guys going in the portal, and I’ll hold all the support for them.”

The rebuild isn’t just about who’s leaving—it’s about who they brought in. And Mike Norvell didn’t play light. FSU signed 16 transfers, including Castellanos, Duce, and some grown-man linemen to anchor both trenches. When asked how aggressive he’d be in the portal again this spring? Norvell kept it 100. “It’s something we’ll always be evaluating… it all has to fit. It wants to be right.”

Health-wise, the squad’s trending up. Lawayne McCoy, Jalen Brown, and Squirrell White are all back from injury, stacking reps. Duce still ain’t 100%, but he’s working his way back. Norvell emphasized that even when you aren’t on the field, your mental reps better be sharp. “You might not be available, but you’re still responsible for the work,” he said.

The final spring scrimmage is coming this Saturday, and all eyes are locked on Duce, Tommy, and the new-look offense. This ain’t last year’s team. That 2-10 mess? Toss it in the trash. The ‘Noles got juice again—and a 747-yard missile just got loaded into the chamber. Pull up a chair. This is going to get wild.