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Much has been written and talked about Florida State Seminoles quarterback Ashton Daniels, and his hot-and-cold performances at the quarterback position this season. Against a top-ten Alabama Crimson Tide team on the road, Daniels threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for two scores. That was the hot part. 

Florida State looked like a different team as they rolled over the Tide for the first 28 minutes of the game, and owned a 21-6 lead in the second quarter.

The cold part was Daniels’ three costly interceptions that robbed the Seminoles of chances to keep pace with the Crimson Tide, as Florida State eventually lost the game 50-36. As a result, this week may be a good time to make a quarterback change and build some real depth behind Daniels by giving the backups some game experience.

Why is Change Warranted?

For the season, Daniels’ touchdown/interception ratio through three games is four touchdowns/four interceptions. That is a 1:1 ratio. Daniels has not completed 60 percent or better on his passes since Week 1 against New Mexico State when he completed 63 percent. Against Alabama, Daniels completed 58.6 percent of his passes. For his collegiate career, Daniels has thrown 26 interceptions (and counting), versus 31 touchdown passes.

The Seminoles are practicing and preparing to host FCS-member, and Florida State coach Mike Norvell’s alma mater, Central Arkansas. Norvell should be using this week as a mini-backup quarterback competition.

In his weekly press conference on Monday, Norvell praised his starting quarterback and his performance against Alabama. 

“You look at the interceptions. I mean, you go back and the first pick, I mean it's got to be probably a touchdown, said Norvell. “The nickel guy picked the ball. Ashton read it so well. I mean, it's what we thought might happen, but crap happens sometimes, right? But there's not a whole lot of quarterbacks in the history of college football that have gone into that stadium and played the way he played. And I was really proud of him for that.”

The Impact of Change

People could argue that if Norvell makes a change, there is no chemistry between the backup and Duce Robinson. Micah Danzy, and Jayvan Boggs. Also, there is the live game experience factor to consider. But indeed, a spark is needed in the passing game. And, against what is considered to be an inferior opponent, the timing is right. Two of the three backups have distinguished themselves at the collegiate level.

Who Should Get the Start?

If you watch Malachi Marshall’s footwork, throwing mechanics, and quick release, then everyone is standing around, scratching their heads, and wondering why Norvell did not insert Marshall into the game to provide that spark against SMU or in the second half against Alabama. 

The JUCO Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, Marshall can make all the throws, and his smooth throwing motion is fun to watch. Marshall did miss spring practice and did not arrive on campus until summer. But he turned heads in fall camp.  

Backup Kevin Sperry has experience in Norvell’s offensive system, but for a reason he has not seen significant game action or played well enough to win the starting job. Sperry has played in just three games in his college career at Florida State and completed 12 of 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

Dean Denobile was named first-team All-Patriot League after throwing for over 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns at Lafayette last season. He has 35 career starts to his credit and threw for 6,596 yards and 53 touchdowns in three seasons at Lafayette.

It could be a coin flip between Marshall and Denobile, but the edge goes to Marshall because of his athleticism and the reasons listed above. It is important to see what these backups can do in live game action, because they are just one injury away (or dare I say, too many INTs) from having their number called to go in the game and lead the offense down the field and score, and score, and score some more. 

In a season that is trending downward for Florida State, like an Acme anvil crashing down on Wile E. Coyote, this is an opportunity to make a change that could spark success for a passing offense that ranks 82nd in the FBS in touchdown passes, and 11th in the 16-team ACC. 

Think of it as a glorified scrimmage against what should be an outmatched Central Arkansas team, because if Norvell makes this quarterback change and calls enough of the right plays, that is exactly what it will be.

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