For a few games last season, after head coach Willie Taggart was fired from his job, Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis showed signs of promise. It wasn't complete dominance, by any means, but it was enough to prove he was more than ready for an opportunity to play big-time college football in Tallahassee.
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The only player in FSU player to have a 60-yard completion and 60-yard rush in the same game? That would be Travis. The longest touchdown run by a quarterback in program history? That would be Travis, too.
Those games against Alabama State, Boston College, Florida, and Arizona State in the Sun Bowl gave hope, but yet it still wasn't enough to get his shot leading the 'Noles under first-year head coach Mike Norvell. Until now.
Jordan Travis Named FSU's Starting Quarterback
#FSU QB Jordan Travis has been named the starter
James Blackman BENCHED pic.twitter.com/9OByBM6BBY
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) October 5, 2020
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When quarterback Jordan Travis is in the game, good things happen for FSU football. That's where the program is right now, just waiting for better days to come. Travis, a Louisville transfer, is currently the best and final option for the 2020 season in the ACC.
James Blackman is talented and has experience, but he's not getting the job done and had trouble against Georgia Tech and Miami. Freshman Tate Rodemaker isn't quite ready and struggled with Jacksonville State. Freshman Chubba Purdy needs more time to develop into a NCAA quarterback, too.
Travis, a West Palm Beach, Fla., native and former The Benjamin School star, has been the lone bright spot behind center, and let's face it, the Florida State Seminoles play a lot better when he's in the game.
In his first three games this year, the redshirt sophomore has completed 13 of 20 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while also rushing 24 times for 139 yards and another score.
ICYMI: The first passing TD of Jordan Travis' FSU career.
Thank you to @FOXSportsSouth pic.twitter.com/U3m9kAvYD2
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) October 3, 2020
It took longer than it probably should have, but Travis is now the starting quarterback for FSU for the foreseeable future. His first start will come against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and then possibly the North Carolina Tar Heels and Louisville Cardinals.
"Jordan, through that performance and the work that he's put in, has established himself for the start this week and the opportunity to go out there and play the game the way he's capable of playing," Norvell said. "I'm excited about him being able to assume that role this week and go make the most of it."
Unless Norvell wants to play quarterback roulette, Travis should be the guy in this strange season during the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak. He plays hard and has won over some fans, including on social media. Oh, and he still has plenty of eligibility left, too.
For those FSU fans longing for the CFB glory days under Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher, when the team was always atop the standings and produced NFL-level talent, it won't happen overnight.
In the meantime, it's time to give Jordan Travis a fair shot and see what happens.
