D'Angelo: Jordan Travis keeps proving doubters wrong even as FSU's comeback falls short

GAINESVILLE - This is what the man who endured so much outside noise that even he said "it got to me" and one of his toughest teammates said, "I don't know if I'd be able to put up with the kind of stuff people say about him," meant to Florida State this season.

He led FSU to five wins in the final seven games he started, the two losses being one-score games at Clemson and Florida.

And although the Seminoles fell short Saturday at Florida Field, 24-21, quarterback Jordan Travis rallied them from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to keep the game in doubt until a botched onside kick in the final minute, all after walking off the field in the first quarter because he was unable to lift his arm.

In other words, a season that ended 5-7 could have been much worse if not for the sophomore quarterback from West Palm Beach.

"He's a baller," said FSU defensive end Jermaine Johnson, the leading candidate for the ACC defensive player of the year. "What I think about Jordan I can't put into words. The amount of hate, the stuff that guy gets, it's insane. I don't know if I'd be able to put up with the kind of stuff people say about him.

"I'm forever thankful to be his teammate."

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Johnson's words should resonate with every fan, every troll on social media who acted insulted he was the quarterback of their team. Travis wasn't good enough, they said. He can't throw.

Then they saw what this team looked like when wasn't behind center, a team not good enough to beat Jacksonville State (Jacksonville State!) and one that lost to Wake Forest by three touchdowns.

Jordan Travis isn't Bryce Young or Kenny Pickett, but he's proven everybody wrong and turned into a solid college quarterback who may have saved Mike Norvell's job.

Nobody is happy with the way this season ended despite the 0-4 start and a victory over Miami, but despite the doubters, everyone within the program is happy the former Benjamin School standout will be back for Year 3 of the Norvell era.

"It was a challenging season for him," Norvell said before citing Travis' toughness, heart and character.

"There's only so much you can do by yourself. But when you care and believe in those that are around you. And when you believe in more than just yourself and you're willing to invest in that and you're willing to put in the work, it's amazing what you can accomplish."

That never was more evident Saturday against an embattled, yet charged, Florida defense that was three weeks removed from seeing its coordinator fired, two weeks removed from allowing 52 points at home to Samford and six days removed from seeing its head coach fired.

Travis threw for 202 yards (18 of 29 with one interception) and ran for 102 yards (which includes 31 lost on four sacks). That's 304. The Seminoles finished with 348.

"He’s a playmaker," said Greg Knox, named the Gators interim coach after Dan Mullen was canned. "He can extend plays. He has great balance, he can break tackles. He’s going to be a great player.

"He does all the things you want a quarterback to do."

Facing adversity is nothing new to Travis, so being forced in the sideline medical tent after taking a sack on the first series, coming back into the game and taking another hit that forced him into the locker room was not going to deter him.

Remember, this a guy who transferred from Louisville after having enough of the Animal House atmosphere under Bobby Petrino, and then was so beaten down by Willie Taggart his first year at FSU that he considered giving up the sport.

Then along came Norvell, who showed a confidence in Travis he never felt from Taggart.

"I’ll just say, having people that believe in you is important," Travis said. "And also believing in yourself is very important."

Now, Travis has the belief of an entire program and from those who will appreciate him for what he is.

Travis said he grew in Saturday's game and that's something he will carry over into the offseason and into 2022.

"I sort of became a leader today," he said. "I got the guys together. That was my first time in a while. I'm taking that next step of becoming that leader I need to be. Speak a little bit more."

That came when the Seminoles trailed by 17 in the fourth quarter and he led them on two drives capped by his 19-yard TD run and an 8-yard scoring pass to Ontaria Wilson with 49 seconds to play.

The failed onside kick ended any hopes of a miraculous comeback.

"It sucks," he said. "Losing sucks. We will be a better team next year.

"I was telling each (teammate), 'I love you and I appreciate you. This offseason we're going to work. We don't want this feeling ever again.'"

Travis then was asked what he learned about himself this year, through the highs and lows, the joy and pain, the days that he leaned on his family to get him through those moments of doubt.

"I know I'm a pretty good quarterback," he said. "I can throw the ball pretty good."

We all found that out this year.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jordan Travis proved all doubters wrong, even in close loss at Florida