With the 2024 season just about over, Florida State is going to see a lot of roster movement throughout the coming weeks.
On Friday morning, the Seminoles saw the first member of their roster depart to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Redshirt senior Deuce Spann has decided to explore his options elsewhere, per 247Sports.
A veteran on the roster, Spann was expected to play a role in FSU’s wide receiver rotation this season. Instead, he only appeared in four games in September before never seeing the field again. Spann spent the majority of the year contributing on the scout team, totaling one catch for five yards.
Spann’s biggest impact in Tallahassee came on special teams. His lone touchdown in garnet and gold was a crucial kickoff return for a score in Florida State’s comeback victory against Duke in 2023. A former quarterback, Spann just couldn’t seem to quite get down the nuances of playing wide receiver at the college level.
The Florida native caught 10 passes for 92 yards while rushing for 46 yards on ten carries in 27 appearances with the Seminoles. He returned 13 kicks for 348 yards (26.8 yards per return) and one touchdown.
Spann began his college career at Illinois. He transferred to Florida State prior to the 2022 season. He should have one season of eligibility remaining.
The NCAA Transfer Portal opens for business on Monday, December 9. The Seminoles are expected to be extremely active during the period.
Florida State’s Mike Norvell restructures deal, gives $4.5M to new initiative
Florida State coach Mike Norvell has agreed to a one-year restructured contract that includes a $4.5 million contribution to help launch a new university initiative aimed, in part, at raising money for revenue sharing and facilities, the school announced Monday.
The money will go toward the Vision of Excellence fundraising campaign, which the school characterizes as a “bold and immediate step forward” in helping the overall student-athlete experience. Starting July 1, each Division I school will be allowed to share at least $20.5 million in revenue with their athletes under a House settlement agreement.
Norvell is set to make $9.9 million in 2025 as part of a contract that includes incremental raises every year through 2031. This past season, Florida State finished 2-10 under Norvell, one year after winning the 2023 ACC championship and finishing 13-1.
“I presented this to our administration in an effort to boost the support of our student-athletes while recognizing that the results and expectations need to be upheld to the highest level,” Norvell said in a statement. “I wanted to be proactive in my financial assistance through this time of transition as we all push forward to get back to the standard of Florida State football. Great days are ahead, and I’m grateful to coach these players and lead this staff. We have been hard at work to uphold the tradition here at Florida State, and I believe this step will help accelerate the process to where I know we are going.”
Norvell is not the first coach to agree to a restructured deal with revenue share on the horizon. Earlier this month, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy also restructured his contract. Sources told ESPN’s Chris Low that Gundy’s $7.75 million annual salary will be reduced to be redistributed as part of revenue sharing with players.
Florida State athletic director Michael Alford said in a statement that Norvell “took an honest assessment of what the program needed from its leader to move forward. I’m excited about the future of Florida State football. FSU will continue to be a leader in the new structure of collegiate athletics, and that includes how we provide for our student-athletes. It will take additional support. I’m not going to be shy about encouraging others to follow Coach Norvell’s actions and contribute however they can.”
Norvell, though, will have a chance to earn the money back. His revised contract includes an annual performance bonus that would pay him $750,000 beginning in 2026 if the Seminoles win at least nine games. So if FSU wins nine games every year between 2026 and 2031, Norvell would earn back the $4.5 million.
His buyout remains the same: 85% of his total compensation. But if Norvell is fired without cause between now and the end of the deal, he will be entitled to a pro rata share of the $4.5 million starting in 2025.
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