Florida State Seminoles Undecided on Starting QB for 2026 Season

Head coach Mike Norvell says competition between Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry will continue into fall camp

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:12pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a Florida State Seminoles quarterback dropping back to pass, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's garnet and gold colors.The unresolved quarterback competition at Florida State will be a key storyline as the Seminoles look to rebound in 2026.Tallahassee Today

The Florida State Seminoles will enter the 2026 season without a clear starting quarterback, as head coach Mike Norvell said the competition between Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry remains unresolved following spring practices. Norvell praised the growth and potential of both quarterbacks but opted not to name a starter, instead allowing the competition to continue into fall camp.

Why it matters

Florida State is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season, and the starting quarterback decision will be a key factor in determining their success in 2026. The Seminoles' offense struggled at times last year, so Norvell is taking his time to evaluate both Daniels and Sperry to find the best fit to lead the team.

The details

During spring practices, both Daniels and Sperry showed positive signs that kept the competition close. Norvell praised Daniels' ability to make plays in the pocket and hit deep passes, while Sperry's growth and consistency impressed the coaching staff. The Seminoles will also get a look at JUCO transfer Malachi Marshall when he joins the team this summer, but Norvell said he is not factoring Marshall into the equation just yet.

  • Florida State held 15 spring practices and multiple scrimmages in April 2026.
  • The Seminoles open their 2026 season on August 29 against New Mexico State.

The players

Mike Norvell

The head coach of the Florida State Seminoles football team.

Ashton Daniels

A quarterback competing for the starting job at Florida State.

Kevin Sperry

A quarterback competing for the starting job at Florida State.

Malachi Marshall

A JUCO transfer quarterback who will join the Florida State roster this summer.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen a lot of things that get me excited about being close to an announcement. But also, I've seen growth in the room. I've seen growth in the way that they've played.”

— Mike Norvell, Head Coach, Florida State Seminoles

“We're going to come back in fall camp, and somebody's going to go first. And whoever's not going first is going to be competing to beat a guy out.”

— Mike Norvell, Head Coach, Florida State Seminoles

“I've really been pleased with what he's shown in his pocket, being able to live in a pocket and deliver the ball. He's shown growth on vertical shots and hit a couple in the scrimmage that sparked big drives.”

— Mike Norvell, Head Coach, Florida State Seminoles

“Kevin Sperry has just gotten better throughout the spring... we've talked about consistency with him, and he is definitely growing up, and there's still just, you know, his growth is something that encourages me.”

— Mike Norvell, Head Coach, Florida State Seminoles

What’s next

The quarterback competition between Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry will continue into fall camp, where Norvell says a starter will be named either publicly or unspoken before the Seminoles' season opener against New Mexico State on August 29.

The takeaway

Florida State's quarterback situation remains unsettled heading into the 2026 season, but Norvell is encouraged by the growth and potential he has seen from both Daniels and Sperry. The continued competition should push both players to elevate their game and give the Seminoles the best chance to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.