FSU coaches see 'growth' in transfer QB Ashton Daniels

Ashton Daniels took his first reps inside Doak Campbell Stadium during Florida State football's scrimmage on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and the Seminoles' coaching staff liked what the fifth-year put on tape.

Both head coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr were complimentary of Daniels' growth from spring practice to preseason. The duo said the transfer signal-caller made some big throws in timely situations during the scrimmage.

"He was completely locked in. We had some big third-down situations and him just being comfortable in the pocket, going through his progressions and putting the ball where it needed to be," Harris said in a press conference a day after the scrimmage.

"There were times when our defense gave us certain looks, and he had to slow things down to get us the right play. And he did that flawlessly."

The pre-snap reads and adjustments are an area both Harris and Norvell noted, and it's a positive for Daniels. Turnovers have been an issue for him in his career , with 22 interceptions and 16 fumbles, so if he's recognizing what the defense is throwing at him quicker, that could keep turnover numbers down and get the ball in the hands of FSU's playmakers.

Daniels needs to have a career year for the Seminoles to improve on a 7-17 record in the last two seasons, which includes no road wins. While preseason is the time for every coaching staff in the country to be optimistic, FSU's staff has been consistent in their praise of Daniels' growth since arriving in Tallahassee.

An area that Daniels has an advantage is his running ability, which Harris said he was able to showcase in the scrimmage. FSU's playbook has both zone and power read plays in its playbook, and Harris saw Daniels and the other quarterbacks use their legs to make plays, even with the position group not being live.

"They go through their reads, and when they have to be a runner, they're running aggressively. All the way up to right before the contact would happen," Harris said of the quarterbacks, including Daniels.

Daniels' command of the offense was highlighted by Norvell immediately after the scrimmage, and Harris echoed the point. He said there is room to improve still, but the coaching staff likes where Daniels is right now.

"The excitement we have about where he is right now is very high. We are just continuing to push him. We still got a lot of time before we play someone else, and there is still a lot more getting better to do. But he's put himself in a good position right now. Very proud of him."

Florida State football schedule 2026

vs. New Mexico State | Aug. 29

vs. SMU* | Sept. 7

Bye

at Alabama | Sept. 19

vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26

vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3

at Louisville* | Oct. 9

at Miami* | Oct. 17

Bye

vs. Clemson* | Oct. 31

at Boston College* | Nov. 7

at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13

vs. NC State* | Nov. 21

vs. Florida | Nov. 27

Liam Rooney covers  Florida State  athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU coaches see 'growth' in transfer QB Ashton Daniels

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