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Notre Dame Football 2021 Opponent Preview: Florida State

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 10: Miles Boykin #81 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish makes a three-yard touchdown reception against Hamsah Nasirildeen #23 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on November 10, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 10: Miles Boykin #81 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish makes a three-yard touchdown reception against Hamsah Nasirildeen #23 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on November 10, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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McKenzie Milton.  (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
McKenzie Milton.  (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football 2021 Opponent Preview: Florida State

Florida State’s Offense

There has become a running joke about Florida State’s offensive line in recent years, and for good reason. It’s been a disaster that they’ve had issues with since three coaches ago. Mike Norvell is still trying to figure it out, and among the answers Florida State is putting forward is Notre Dame transfer Dillon Gibbons, who brings experience and veteran leadership to an offensive line that needs the help.

Of course, none of that matters if the Seminoles can’t find a quarterback. They have a two-quarterback battle going on, as Jordan Travis is the returning starter, and looks to bring more experience and maturity to the position, and they also brought in a bit of a wild card.

UCF’s McKenzie Milton has come to Tallahassee as a graduate transfer. Milton was the quarterback who orchestrated UCF’s back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and a claimed National Championship before his injury that took him out of the game for two seasons.

The Knights moved on with Dillon Gabriel, Milton’s high school backup who he personally recruited to Orlando. So, after having a 50/50 chance of needing his leg amputated at the knee, Milton is trying to get back on the field.

Can he do it? Will he be the same quarterback? We don’t know, but we do know he’s a great leader and teammate, though.

From there, the Seminoles have to answer questions about their skills players. After wasting Cam Akers’ college career, they need to find more skill players who can play behind a poor offensive line and make players miss. This starts, as with every other spot at Florida State with several transfer players, like DJ Williams and Andrew Parchment.

Still, most improvement needs to come from players within the program already. Lawrance Toafili and Ja’Khi Douglas are young and have flashed the talent Florida State needs, so maybe another year in a college strength and conditioning program, plus a full offseason learning Norvell’s system has them ready to take off.

There are tons of questions on the Florida State offense, but it’s easy to be positive about them.

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