QB Travis ready to give all he has to in ’23 season
When Florida State announced a Heisman Trophy campaign for Jordan Travis in January, it was another example of the growing recognition directed at the redshirt senior quarterback.
Travis’ breakthrough performance in 2022 was instrumental in the Seminoles’ turnaround as he set career highs in passing yards (3,214), yards per attempt (9.1), passing touchdowns (24) and passer rating (160.1).
He joined Charlie Ward (1993), Chris Weinke (2000) and Jameis Winston (2013) — all Heisman winners — as the only FSU quarterbacks to produce at least 3,000 total yards and 30 total touchdowns in a season.
Along the way, Florida State won 10 games and ranked No. 11 in the final Associated Press poll for the first time since 2016.
But anybody who knows Travis, a native of West Palm Beach, knows he would instead defer to others.
“He’s about the success of his teammates in this program,” said FSU quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz. “He truly would prefer to deflect and make it about his team because, ultimately, he knows our team’s success goes hand in hand with his success.
“That’s not why he wants our team to be successful, but at the same time, it goes together.”
Oddsmakers have Travis (10-1) listed behind North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (5-1) and USC’s Caleb Williams (6-1) in the opening odds for the 2023 Heisman Trophy. They also have FSU’s chances of claiming the national championship at 150-1.
After five seasons of mediocrity for the Seminoles, contending for a championship might seem out of the question. Still, last season’s finish and the return of multiple veteran starters such as Travis could indicate the program has turned the page.
“Expectations are a lot higher, the standards are a lot higher,” Travis said Monday. “We know what we’re doing out here. Last year, we had guys still learning plays.”
For Travis, this spring camp is the last of his college career. Even though he comes into it with 35 career appearances and 1,786 career snaps, there’s plenty to learn.
“My goal this spring is to be the same person every day, no matter what happens at home or school. I’ve got to come out here with a smile and compete,” said Travis. “That’s my job as a starting quarterback and leader of this football team.
“A lot of guys look up to me. There are a lot of younger guys that expect me to come out here every single day and compete. I have a responsibility to come out here and give everything I have every day performance-wise.”
His work ethic hasn’t escaped his coaches, who quickly dole out praise.
“It’s fun watching him and his emphasis on his work. He approaches a meeting like it’s a Day One meeting, and you want that from great players,” said coach Mike Norvell. “That’s what Jordan is — he’s remarkable because it’s allowed him to go out there and do what he’s done, but it’s also what excites me about the potential for his future.
“I’m excited to see him continue to grow in that consistency. He’s got great days ahead of him.”
Those outside the program quickly point out the cultural change under Norvell as the catalyst for the recent success. It’s that sense of buy-in from the players that’s helped bring about transformation and it’s something imparted from veterans to younger players.
It’s evident among the other quarterbacks, with Travis assuming the role of heady leader.
“Jordan does a great job of leading in a most natural way to him,” said Tokarz. “We talk about it in our room a good bit. Everybody’s a little bit different. Jordan is going to lead differently from the way Tate [Rodemaker], AJ [Duffy] or Brock [Glenn] does.
“He’s as mature as a guy can be at this point in his career. He’s about the success of his teammates in this program which is unique, especially in today’s day and age.”