Florida State went into the January transfer portal window seeking a quarterback that was a fit for the Gus Malzahn offense and could lead the group.
A month later, that plan took a sharp turn with Malzahn’s retirement announcement on Monday. Auburn transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels isn’t FSU’s defined starter, but he was definitely brought in as a match for what Malzahn wanted to run.
Now Daniels pivots and will work directly with head coach Mike Norvell, who will be FSU’s play-caller on game days, and offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr.
“For this offense, we just keep moving,” Daniels said on Wednesday, his first interview with the media after enrolling at FSU. “Coach Norvell is going to do a great job with the guys that we have on this offense. Coach Harris is going to do a great job. I think we’re off on the right foot, just the way that they've come into meetings, offensive meetings, and approach the mindset that we're going to have for the season and for this offseason is really promising for this offense.”
When asked about what discussions he’s had with Norvell about the playbook and scheme, Daniels said the quarterback and coach have discussed some of the broader points.
“Introductory stuff. Finding out what the guys on our offense do best and building the offense around that has been a big thing for us at least for this past week,” Daniels said. “Obviously, things are happening really fast and there’s a lot of moving parts to it.”
Daniels discussed a wide range of topics in his interview with the media. Below are some of his thoughts:
From Stanford to Auburn to FSU
Daniels was a three-time state champion at Buford (Ga.) High and signed with Stanford, where he started in 2023-24. But Daniels opted to return closer to home to Auburn last summer, sitting behind starter Jackson Arnold before he earned opportunities to play in October and November.
He called it “God’s plan for me” to watch and wait for his turn, and Daniels helped lead an Auburn win at Arkansas in October while also playing well in losses at Vanderbilt and to Alabama. Daniels played in just four games and was able to take a redshirt last fall, giving him a chance at one more season of college football in 2026.
“Obviously it was hard at times, going from that starting position for almost two years to sitting on the bench,” Daniels said. “But I realized in my mind, ‘This is what’s supposed to happen for me. It’s meant for me to have that extra year to develop and then have another year to go in and do what I can.’
“I’m extremely grateful for that year. I’m extremely grateful for that coaching staff for giving me the opportunity in those last four games. I think I showcased a little bit of what I can do. But I think there’s still a lot more left in the tank.”
Daniels is aware he’s competing for QB1
Just as he did at Stanford and Auburn, Daniels isn’t the defined starting quarterback upon his arrival at FSU. And he’s good with that.
“Anywhere you go in college football nowadays, you're gonna have to compete. Nothing is just handed to you. So I've always had that mindset everywhere that I've gone — high school, Auburn, Stanford, I've had to compete, and that's the mindset that I come in with here. I know that nothing's given to me.”
Daniels will earn plenty of reps with Kevin Sperry and Lafayette quarterback Dean DeNobile. High school signee Jaden O’Neal had offseason knee surgery and junior college signee Malachi Marshall arrives in May.
His strengths and weaknesses
Daniels completed just 57.1 percent of his passes for 797 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in four games at Auburn. Those performances were up-and-down: He was just 13 of 28 for 108 yards and an interception in a 10-3 loss to Kentucky, but a week later threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more touchdowns in a 45-38 overtime loss at then-No. 16 Vanderbilt.
What does Daniels view as his strengths?
“I think getting the ball out quick, making sure that I get the ball into my playmakers’ hands and kind of let them do what they do and just facilitate the offense,” Daniels said. “Be a leader out on the field is one of my strong suits. And just being able to be a playmaker and make things happen when things break down is one of my strong suits.”
Daniels didn’t spend much time discussing his escapability as a runner or his ability to throw on the run, both of which are strengths. The Osceola previously reviewed Daniels’ film from 2025 and the game at Clemson in 2024.
And what does he view as areas where he must improve?
“I have a history of not really taking care of the ball as much as I really need to,” Daniels said. “With this past year, I’ve seen a huge amount of development in that area. And that’s something that I’m going to continue to develop.”
At Stanford, Daniels led the ACC in 2024 with 12 interceptions on 271 passes (against just 10 touchdowns). Daniels said he made limiting those a priority at Auburn, and he had just the two interceptions in 119 passes.
“Just being confident with knowing my reads,” Daniels said. “This past year one of the big focuses for me was film study and knowing where I’m going to go with the ball in certain situations. And also knowing when to protect the ball. Some plays, in some situations, you have to take that shot. You have to give your receiver a chance. But sometimes you just got to tuck the ball, you got to take a sack, you got to take a check down.
“And I think I did a really good job of realizing that this past season and making sure that was one of the areas that I worked on every single day.”
A relationship with Duce Robinson
Daniels said one of his Stanford teammates played high school football with Duce Robinson. On Jan. 16, when Robinson described having unfinished business at FSU, he described Daniels as “someone who’s easy to talk to” and also a person who “seems like he’s a really good leader.”
When Daniels arrived at FSU for his visit, there was a mutual connection and a quick relationship was formed with FSU’s 1,000-yard receiver from 2025.
“That’s an NFL guy right there,” Daniels said. “I look at him every day, the work that he puts in, that’s a guy that really wants it. And someone that I look up to.”
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