Florida State building early relationship with Up-and-Coming 2026 QB Will Griffin
Florida State's coaching staff has shown an uncanny ability to evaluate talent in future classes on the recruiting trail. That has other schools around the country following suit whenever the Seminoles extend a scholarship offer to a recruit.
In December, FSU became the first school to extend rising sophomore and 2026 quarterback, Will Griffin, an offer. Last season, Griffin took over as the starter for Tampa Jesuit during the middle of the year and led his squad to the postseason. Griffin completed 106/187 passes (56.7%) for 1,653 yards with 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions. He also rushed for 124 yards and two more scores.
Since then, Toledo and Miami have both joined his recruitment. The Hurricanes actually offered Griffin a scholarship three days after he was in Tallahassee for a Junior Day. Regardless, it means something to Griffin that the Seminoles believed in him first.
“Well they were the first one to invest in me and I really appreciate that," Griffin said to NoleGameday's Dustin Lewis. "They just love building relationships and that's something they take really hard. I absolutely love that about them."
Saturday's trip marked the fourth visit that Griffin has taken to Florida State since last year. He attended two camps last summer and was in attendance for the Seminoles' home loss to Wake Forest in October.
It's the people within the program that keep bringing Griffin back to campus. He's been building early relationships with head coach Mike Norvell, quarterbacks coach Tony Tokarz, and graduate assistant Alex Eleyssami.
“I’m just forever grateful for the opportunities I get to spend with them,” Griffin said. “Just talking to coach Norvell, and coach Tokarz, and coach Alex. They're just wonderful guys and every opportunity I have being up here, it's just an amazing one so forever grateful for that. Every time I come up here I get a little more excited and there's more stuff to learn. Hopeful in the future that I can keep learning from them, and I just love being up here.”
A cool aspect of this visit was Griffin getting an opportunity to see coach Norvell's office for the first time. They sat down for a meeting where Griffin was offered some advice prior to departing from campus.
“Just to keep my head on a swivel and don't get caught up in the mess and all that. At the end of the day it's how you perform and how you respond to adversity," Griffin said. "I think that he really knows what he's talking about and I hope to continue building my relationship with him. I love him as a coach and as a person."
With three years left in his recruitment, it's too early in the process to talk about leaders but the Seminoles are establishing a foundation with Griffin.
“I love Florida State. That’s all I’ve got to say. I absolutely love them.”
Griffin plans to be back at FSU in the spring or summer.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback is not yet ranked in the 2026 class according to 247Sports. He projects to be one of the best in his cycle.
READ MORE: Florida State's full 2023 football schedule released
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