FSU Names Ashton Daniels Starting Quarterback for 2026 Season

Ashton Daniels, with 4,783 passing yards and 23 career starts, has been named FSU's starting quarterback. This is the third year in a row FSU has used a transfer QB.
By Newsroom | Sports, College Football |

Florida State has named Ashton Daniels, a quarterback who has seen starting time at both Auburn and Stanford, as their starting signal-caller for the upcoming 2026 season. The decision, made public on Tuesday, comes after a spring competition with Kevin Sperry.

Daniels brings significant experience to the Seminoles, having started 23 career games across his previous tenures. He has accumulated 4,783 passing yards, 1,397 rushing yards, and 35 total touchdowns. His yards-per-carry average over the last two seasons stands at 4.4. Daniels, a redshirt senior, transferred to Florida State after the previous season, initially appearing to be the presumed starter. He preserved his redshirt at Auburn to facilitate a graduate transfer.

Noles News: FSU names transfer quarterback as starter for third season in a row - 1

A Familiar Pattern

This marks the third consecutive season Florida State has opted for a transfer quarterback to fill the starting position. In the past, the Seminoles have turned to players like Thomas Castellanos from Boston College, a move that generated considerable discussion regarding the team's offensive direction. Castellanos had previously put up a strong performance against Florida State, though his rushing numbers were less impressive.

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Spring Competition and Future Outlook

While Daniels was widely expected to win the starting job, Kevin Sperry reportedly pushed him throughout the 15 spring practices. Coach Mike Norvell had indicated last week that a decision was imminent, noting he was "not far off" from naming a starter, though he initially stated he wasn't ready. Daniels reportedly ended spring practice on a stronger note than Sperry, despite a mid-spring lull that fueled the competition.

Florida State's schedule for the coming season includes a challenging road slate, with four of their final seven games being played away from home. The team will also feature three Friday night games. The focus now shifts to building offensive chemistry in preparation for their Week 0 matchup against New Mexico State.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Florida State's starting quarterback for the 2026 season?
Florida State has named Ashton Daniels as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season. He is a transfer who has previously started games for Auburn and Stanford.
Q: What experience does Ashton Daniels bring to FSU?
Ashton Daniels has started 23 games in his career, throwing for 4,783 yards and 35 total touchdowns. He also has 1,397 rushing yards.
Q: Was Ashton Daniels the only quarterback competing for the starting role?
No, Ashton Daniels competed with Kevin Sperry during the spring practices. While Daniels was expected to win the job, Sperry reportedly pushed him throughout the competition.
Q: Is this the first time FSU has used a transfer quarterback?
No, this is the third consecutive season Florida State has chosen a transfer quarterback to start. This follows previous decisions to start players like Thomas Castellanos.
Q: What is next for the FSU football team?
The team's focus now shifts to building offensive chemistry for their Week 0 game against New Mexico State. Their schedule includes a challenging road stretch late in the season.