The Florida State Seminoles are turning to Ashton Daniels at quarterback in the 2026 season, and they will be counting on the veteran to get them back to the postseason.
While he has played in 37 games and made starts for both the Auburn Tigers and Stanford Cardinal during his four years at the college level, there are still several areas he is looking to improve in. Perhaps the most important is his ability to protect the football, something that was a major problem in his three years at Stanford.
Daniels threw 20 interceptions during his 33 games with the Cardinal, getting picked off on 3.3% of all his passes. He was at his worst as a junior in 2025, throwing 12 interceptions to 10 touchdowns in 11 games and getting intercepted on 4.4% of his passes.
Head coach Mike Norvell acknowledged that Daniels did throw an interception in FSU’s first scrimmage and made a “really, really bad decision” in Thursday’s practice, but overall has been pleased with his ability to know where to go with the football.
“But he’s been outstanding when it comes to knowing where to go with the ball, his ownership of the things we’re asking him to do,” Norvell explained. “I would say it would challenge as good as what I’ve seen. Just the way that he’s gone about that.”
It was in a smaller sample size, but Daniels did show growth in his decision-making last season at Auburn. He finished the year with two interceptions in four games, getting picked off on 1.7% of his passes, the lowest rate of his career.
Norvell also seemed to indicate that the interception he threw in the scrimmage might not have been entirely on Daniels.
“In the scrimmage, there was an interception. But it takes all 11 too sometimes, and there’s things that you grow, and you learn from. Maybe a receiver and understanding the leverage,” he explained.
The offense will be different than last year, but FSU did help Tommy Castellanos improve as a decision-maker last season. He was picked off on 3.9% of his passes during his two seasons at Boston College, but on just 2.9% of his passes with the Seminoles.
Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Ashton Daniels has impressed Mike Norvell with his decision making
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By JD McCarthy, FSU Wire | USA TODAY Network
