Under former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Florida State’s offense took a significant step forward in 2025 after a frustrating season the year before. Much of that improvement stemmed from the arrival of Boston College transfer Tommy Castellanos, whose dual-threat ability gave the Seminoles a stabilizing presence at quarterback.
2026 Florida State Position Preview
Can Ashton Daniels Stabilize the Quarterback Room?
Castellanos started 12 games, piling up 2,760 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 557 rushing yards, and nine rushing scores. His mobility created problems for opposing defenses and played a major role in helping Florida State finish among the nation’s top rushing attacks.
While Castellanos’ ability to create outside of structure was valuable, his limitations as a passer prevented the offense from reaching its full potential. As FSU enters the 2026 season, head coach Mike Norvell will hand the reins to Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels, hoping his experience can help the Seminoles take another step forward.
Ashton Daniels Brings Experience
Daniels arrives in Tallahassee with extensive collegiate experience, having spent three seasons at Stanford before transferring to Auburn. Although consistency has been an issue throughout his career, he has shown flashes of high-level play against quality competition.
His best performance came against Vanderbilt last season, where he produced 442 yards of total offense in an overtime defeat. Daniels completed 31 of 44 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns while adding 89 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. The performance marked the third-highest single-game total offense output in Auburn history and the program’s highest mark since 2014.
Daniels also helped lead a comeback win over Arkansas after Auburn trailed by 11 points at halftime, showcasing both poise and playmaking ability.
At 6′-2″ and 233 pounds, Daniels gives Florida State a different physical profile than Castellanos. He has the size to withstand designed quarterback runs while still possessing the athleticism to extend plays outside the pocket. Throughout his collegiate career, Daniels has accumulated 1,401 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, making him a legitimate threat in the run game.
His ability to operate quarterback power and read-option concepts should give Norvell flexibility when designing the offense.
The Biggest Question Facing Daniels
Despite his experience, Daniels enters the season with questions to answer.
Over his career, he has completed 60.2 percent of his passes while posting a 24-to-22 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Improving his efficiency as a passer will be critical if Florida State hopes to return to ACC contention.
The good news for Daniels is that he’ll have plenty of weapons around him. Wide receiver Duce Robinson provides a massive target at 6′-6″ and 230 pounds, while Micahi Danzy’s speed gives defenses a vertical threat they must account for on every snap.
If Daniels can consistently connect on deep throws and limit turnovers, Florida State’s passing attack could become more balanced than it was a season ago.
Competition and Depth Behind the Starter
Daniels did not simply walk into the starting job.
Throughout spring practice, he battled former four-star recruit Kevin Sperry for the top spot on the depth chart. Sperry pushed Daniels throughout all 15 spring practices before Norvell officially named Daniels the starter on April 21st.
Sperry remains one of the most intriguing players on the roster. In limited action last season, he completed 12 of 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. His development could be important not only in 2026 but for the future of the program.
Florida State also added experienced depth through the transfer portal.
Former Lafayette quarterback Dean DeNobile arrives after throwing for 6,956 yards and 53 touchdowns over three seasons as a starter. A former All-Patriot League selection, DeNobile brings valuable experience to the room.
Meanwhile, Iowa Western transfer Malachi Marshall enters Tallahassee after a decorated junior college career. Marshall earned NJCAA Division I Offensive Player of the Year honors after throwing for 2,750 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Outlook
For a program coming off consecutive losing seasons, quarterback play will once again be one of the biggest storylines in Tallahassee.
Daniels has the experience, athleticism, and supporting cast to guide Florida State back to bowl eligibility. Whether the Seminoles can take a larger step forward, however, may depend on his ability to become a more efficient and consistent passer.
If Daniels can build on the flashes he showed at Auburn while limiting mistakes, Florida State may finally have the stability it has been searching for at the game’s most important position.
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