Kassim: Quarterback Jordan Travis returning is major win for Mike Norvell, FSU Seminoles

Florida State football still has one game on its 2022 schedule, but you can excuse fans if they start looking ahead to next year.

The biggest shoe for the upcoming season dropped for the No. 13 Seminoles (9-3), as they begin their prep for the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma (6-6) at Camping World Stadium in Orlando at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29 (the game will be broadcast on ESPN).

Late Monday quarterback Jordan Travis announced he was returning for the 2023 season. Travis announced his decision on social media, with highlights of the past season.

"So many memories on this field," Travis said in the video, which was followed by 2022 season highlights. "And we're not done yet. See you in 2023."

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Travis is entering his fifth season with FSU and his sixth as a college football player. He will be 23 next May, so a decision to return for another season was never a given.

He entered this season as the unquestioned starter for the first time in his career and has delivered head coach Mike Norvell and his staff the best season of his career.

Norvell expressed excitement on social media following Travis' announcement.

"Run it back!! So honored to be on this journey with you," Norvell said on Twitter. "(Jordan Travis) what a great representative of our program and a tremendous teammate/leader. Excited for the future and the opportunity that lies ahead. Going to be special!"

Generally, quarterbacks get better with more time as a starter and Travis enjoyed his best season as a full-time starter. He'll enter next season with 26 career starts (including the bowl game) and appearances in eight other games.

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Heisman hype

Travis will be among the handful of players who enter 2023 as a favorite to earn a trip to New York and be in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy.

FSU has produced three Heisman Trophy winners: quarterbacks Charlie Ward in 1993, Chris Weinke in 2000 and Jameis Winston in 2013.

Travis will have a chance to join the exclusive list if he gets through the season healthy and continues the progression he showed this season.

He has thrown for 2,796 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. His 85.3 QBR is seventh in the nation, while his 90.6 Pro Football Focus passing grade is ninth among FBS QBs. and his 86.4 passing grade. He has one game to add to that number.

Travis, who was named to All-ACC second-team quarterback, also rushed for 367 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns.

The Seminoles lead the nation with 88 plays of 20 yards or more for the 2022 season. Travis has accounted for 55 (50 passing, five rushing).

ACC analyst and former FSU QB EJ Manuel has already begun the discussion for next season before Travis even announced his return.

Following his announcement, teammates flooded Twitter with talks of Travis and Heisman talk, including receiver Mycah Pittman.

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More decisions to come?

Travis' return could open a floodgate of returning players for the Seminoles, especially on offense. Receivers Johnny Wilson and Pittman have not confirmed whether they will return next season, yet. Neither has running back Trey Benson.

Wilson leads the team with 35 catches for 695 yards and five touchdowns. Travis has connected with the Arizona State transfer for 17 plays of 20 yards or more, including a 78-yard touchdown pass against Louisiana.

Pittman has added 29 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Winston Wright, who missed the season following a car accident, has already said he'd be back next season. The West Virginia transfer was expected to be the top receiver coming into the season. Malik McClain, Kentron Poitier and Darion Williamson are also expected back at receiver.

Benson did not disclose if he had made a decision about his future following the victory over Florida. Benson turned into a workhorse back for the Seminoles deep into the season, as starter Treshaun Ward missed time with an injury.

Benson enters the bowl game with 965 yards on 141 carries and nine touchdowns. He stated before the season his goal was to become FSU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Cam Akers in 2019.

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Top 10 matchup to begin 2023 season

While Travis' news of his return caught major headlines nationally, another player also announced his return in LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte.

The Seminoles kick off their season against LSU at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sept. 3. The Tigers reached the SEC Championship game and enter their bowl game with eight wins. LSU was ranked in the top 10 at one point in the college football ranking but finished 17th following losses to Texas A&M and Georgia.

If both teams win their bowl games and enter the season with similar rosters to the ones they ended with, it's not out of the realm of possibility both teams are ranked inside the top 10.

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ACC Contention

FSU's defense showed serious improvement during the course of the season, but as the Seminoles enter 2023, there will be questions surrounding the unit. Defensive lineman Jared Verse is expected to be a first-round pick and could declare for the draft. Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett hasn't made a decision yet, but safety Jammie Robinson is playing in the Senior Bowl.

But Norvell and his staff should hit the transfer portal. Having Travis back will be a major draw for recruits − both in the portal and in high school.

Regardless of what happens with the defense, the FSU offense led by Travis will have the team in contention for an ACC title.

Travis' presence could also attract options for the offensive line, as well as playmakers at running back, receiver or tight end, though those would be luxury adds for the Seminoles at this point.

FSU still has a ways to go to reach Clemson's level, as demonstrated by the loss to the Tigers at home earlier this season, but the gap has been closed this season.

Now it is on FSU to get to the next level. Having Travis back to lead them there is going to be the biggest key to that.

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GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 13 Florida State vs. Oklahoma

When/Where: Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.; Camping World Stadium in Orlando

TV: ESPN

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football: QB Jordan Travis returning helps Seminoles future | Column