Ashton Daniels has been named Florida State football’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
The Auburn transfer was expected to be the Seminoles’ starter, and after a spring camp battle with Kevin Sperry, he has won the job.
Daniels spent a season at Auburn after three years at Stanford. He threw for 797 yards and three touchdowns while adding 280 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his four appearances for Auburn last year. Sperry spent last season backing up Tommy Castellanos and racked up limited appearances. He threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 27 yards on the ground in three games.
He’s rushed for 1,401 career yards, with a single-season best of 669 in 2024, his final year at Stanford. The 6-foot-2 Daniels is a more powerful runner than Tommy Castellanos, opting to run between the tackles and get downfield with long strides, rather than Castellanos’ off-tackle approach that revolved around his speed.
Norvell was complimentary of Daniels’ growth after the Seminoles final spring practice of the season. He took the majority of the first team reps and was praised as a leader by multiple players during spring practice press conferences.
“I’ve really been pleased with what he’s shown. Being able to live in the pocket and delivering the ball. I think he’s shown growth in the spring on vertical shots. He hit a couple in the scrimmage the other day that were right where they needed to be, huge plays that sparked big drives,” Norvell said on April 15.
Daniels will be the third new starting quarterback for the program in three seasons. He follows Castellanos (2025) and DJ Uiagalelei (2024). No FSU quarterback has had a winning record since Jordan Travis left the program.
FSU 2026 football schedule
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ashton Daniels wins FSU football’s starting QB job over Kevin Sperry
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
