Jordan Travis’ time in Florida isn’t over yet.
On Monday, the redshirt teenage signalman announced his intention to return to the Seminoles for the 2023 season.
For much of the season, there has been speculation as to whether Travis will end up after his fifth year and fourth at Florida State.
After Saturday’s practice, Travis answered why he ultimately decided to return.
“Honestly, I feel like I need another year,” Travis said, “just to keep going and show what I can do. I feel like I’ve improved a lot this year. I still have a lot of unfinished business.”
“I came to Florida State to win every game I played and win a championship at the end of the day.”
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Travis helps the Seminoles to a 9-3 season and they face Oklahoma (6-6) in the Dec. 12 Cheez-It Bowl. 29 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando (5:30 p.m. on ESPN).
The Seminoles are looking for their first 10-win season since 2016.
Travis had 2,796 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions in his debut season. He also added 75 carries for 367 yards and seven touchdowns.
For what it’s worth, Travis also had a two-yard catch for a touchdown.
“I think he’s one of the best players in college football,” Norwell said after Friday’s practice. “It’s going to be continuous improvement, continued confidence, taking his game to the next level in every detail. It’s not just one specific area, ‘This is where you need to improve’, that’s why he’s been reached the point where he had reached.
“Because he took an all-encompassing approach, ownership of every action, just him being the leader and what he brought to his program. That’s what makes him unique. So, we’re going to focus on all the areas and Keep grunting.”
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take the weight off your shoulders
Travis said he knew he would be back halfway through the season, despite his initial comments at the ACC media day in Charlotte in July that it would be his last.
The key for Travis is when he announces.
“It took a load off my shoulders,” Travis said. “I thought about it a lot. I couldn’t wait to get it out. I was really trying to get it out, but they were trying to get it right. I’m glad it came out and I’m happy to be back.”
While many fans wondered about Travis’ decisions before and after his season finale against the rival Florida Gators, some of his teammates revealed they knew of Travis’ intentions in advance.
“I definitely knew he was back before a lot of people knew,” former Florida State WR Mycah Pittman said. “It was great. The momentum was there; we knew what we were capable of doing, we trusted Coach Norvell to lead us, we trusted J-Trav to lead us… I’m proud of him; I’m proud of the way he’s playing; I Proud of this team.”
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Recruiting for Big 2023
Part of the reason Travis wanted to announce his return quickly was to get ahead of high schools and portals recruiting potential players.
“That’s why I wanted to get it out there so everyone could see that I was back and I could reach out to other people,” he said. “It’s important.”
FSU has been active as a transfer portal this season, with Travis himself a Louisville transfer.
The Seminoles added Pittman via Portal before last season, along with primary receiver Johnny Wilson, running back Trey Benson, linebacker Tatum Bethune and defensive end Jared Voss, among others.
Travis added that he was instrumental in increasing the transfer fee for the team last season.
His pitch to recruits has been Norwell, and how the culture the third-year coach built resulted in many players not opting out of the bowl game despite graduating, transferring or turning pro.
“That’s what I talk about with recruits,” Travis said. “It shows what kind of coach Norville is. There are a lot of guys on the transfer portal who don’t even think about playing in the bowl. It just shows how much respect we have for him.
“It’s a special place. He’s a special person. Everyone respects him. He’s helped us grow a lot. He tells us how it’s going and that’s what I think people respect him the most.
For all of those players, aside from Verse and Wilson announcing their return, Travis said he’s already looking ahead to the 2023 season a bit.
“We’re going to be special,” Travis said. “We’ve got a lot of experienced guys. But we’ve got another game to finish and that’s important.”
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give back to society
Travis is one of several FSU players signed to the new NIL collective “The Battle’s End.”
While he’s part of a new wave of college players who will be paid based on their name, image and likeness, Travis said he’ll use his newfound opportunity to give back to the community when he can.
“They’ve been trying to fix this for a while. We’re lucky to be part of it now,” he said. “But honestly, I think it’s an opportunity to give back to the community. When you do these things, you get money, but you have to give back to the community.
“You’re doing things, helping kids, going to school, reading to kids. That’s the most important thing to me, going out and helping people. I think it’s important. We have a huge impact on people. Our platform is amazing , we must continue to use it.”
Game Information
Who: Do not. 13 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
when and where: Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.; Camping World Stadium, Orlando
television: ESPN
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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