Florida State Football: 3 upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022

Florida State football looks to improve on its record from last season. These three upperclassmen need to step up and play well this fall.

The Florida State Seminoles made strides in their second season under coach Mike Norvell. The Seminoles finished with a .500 record in conference play and had an opportunity to become bowl eligible in the last game of the season.

Coach Norvell and the Seminoles look to build off the momentum from last season, improve their standing in the ACC, and get to a bowl game for the first time since 2019. If the Seminoles take the next step, Norvell and the Florida State coaching staff must rely on a roster bereft of star power.

Defensively, FSU lost 18 combined sacks with the departures of Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas. Albany transfer Jared Verse will hopefully bring sack production to the program. However, Verse needs support with the pass rush. Teams will key on him, and his teammates have to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.

Offensively, quarterback Travis Jordan must take the next step as a passer. Jordan is a dynamic runner who improved as a passer last season. He needs to take another step as a passer to keep opposing defenses off balance.

Jordan needs a receiver to step up and be a playmaker, however. Norvell signed a host of receivers from the portal to find a dynamic perimeter player on the outside.

Here is a closer look at three upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022.