When Florida State introduced a Heisman Trophy marketing campaign for Jordan Travis in January, it was one other instance of the rising recognition directed on the redshirt senior quarterback.
Travis’ breakthrough efficiency in 2022 was instrumental within the Seminoles’ turnaround because the West Palm Seashore product set profession highs in passing yards (3,214), yards per try (9.1), passing touchdowns (24) and passer ranking (160.1). He joined Charlie Ward (1993), Chris Weinke (2000) and Jameis Winston (2013) — all Heisman winners — as the one FSU quarterbacks to provide no less than 3,000 whole yards and 30 whole touchdowns in a season.
Alongside the best way, Florida State gained 10 video games and ranked No. 11 within the closing Related Press ballot for the primary time since 2016.
However anyone who is aware of Travis is aware of he would as a substitute defer private accolades to the remainder of his teammates.
“He’s concerning the success of his teammates on this program,” stated FSU quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz. “He really would favor to deflect and make it about his staff as a result of, in the end, he is aware of our staff’s success goes hand in hand together with his success.
“That’s not why he desires our staff to achieve success, however on the identical time, it goes collectively.”
Oddsmakers have Travis (10-1) listed behind North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (5-1) and USC’s Caleb Williams (6-1) within the opening odds for the 2023 Heisman Trophy. Those self same oddsmakers have FSU’s probabilities of claiming the nationwide championship at 150-1.
After 5 seasons of mediocrity, the considered a Seminoles staff contending for a championship may appear out of the query. Nonetheless, final season’s end and the return of a number of veteran starters like Travis might point out this system has turned the web page.
“Expectations are rather a lot greater, the requirements are rather a lot greater,” Travis stated Monday. “We all know what we’re doing out right here. Final 12 months, we had guys nonetheless studying performs.”
For Travis, this spring camp is the final of his school profession and although he comes into it with 35 profession appearances and 1,786 profession snaps beneath his belt, there’s a lot extra the 6-foot-1 signal-caller can study.
[ FSU’s 2023 football schedule features early games vs. LSU, Clemson and rivals Miami, UF ]
“My aim this spring is to be the identical particular person daily, it doesn’t matter what occurs at house or college. I’ve acquired to return out right here with a smile and compete,” stated Travis. “That’s my job as a beginning quarterback and chief of this soccer staff.
“Numerous guys look as much as me. There are quite a lot of youthful guys that anticipate me to return out right here each single day and compete. I’ve a accountability to return out right here and provides every thing I’ve daily performance-wise.”
His work ethic hasn’t escaped his coaches, who rapidly dole out reward.
“It’s enjoyable watching him and his emphasis on his work. He approaches a gathering prefer it’s a Day One assembly, and also you need that from nice gamers,” stated coach Mike Norvell. “That’s what Jordan is — he’s outstanding as a result of it’s allowed him to go on the market and do what he’s executed, however it’s additionally what excites me concerning the potential for his future.
“I’m excited to see him proceed to develop in that consistency. He’s acquired nice days forward of him.”
These exterior this system rapidly level out the cultural change beneath Norvell because the catalyst for the latest success. It’s that sense of buy-in from the gamers that’s helped result in transformation and it’s one thing imparted from veterans to youthful gamers.
It’s evident among the many different quarterbacks, with Travis assuming the function of heady chief.
“Jordan does a terrific job of main in a most pure technique to him,” stated Tokarz. “We speak about it in our room an excellent bit. All people’s a bit of bit totally different. Jordan goes to guide otherwise from the best way Tate [Rodemaker], AJ [Duffy] or Brock [Glenn] does.
“He’s as mature as a man will be at this level in his profession. He’s concerning the success of his teammates on this program which is exclusive, particularly in at the moment’s day and age.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.