Ashton Daniels' season has mirrored Florida State's, displaying inconsistency from week to week as well as dramatic highs and lows within games.

Now, the Seminoles quarterback will be turned to as a stabilizing presence in what has been a turbulent week with Mike Norvell's dismissal.

"I got a lot of confidence in Ashton," FSU interim head coach Rick Stockstill said on Wednesday. "Sometimes I think we put too much on his plate, and we don't give him the opportunity to play free."

Daniels' leadership, ability to run and elude pressure have never been in doubt. His arm talent, how he sees the field and his propensity to force passes that results in interceptions have fueled doubts about him.

There have been the good moments this fall: He had five rushing touchdowns in a home rout of Virginia. He then had four passing TDs and a rushing TD in the double overtime loss at Miami, but that doesn't include a touchdown pass erased due to holding or what Norvell thought was a "simultaneous possession" TD pass to Duce Robinson on the second Hail Mary attempt.

There have also been the tough moments: Three interceptions in the loss at Alabama and another three INTs as well as a fumble against Clemson. Those mistakes have added up, and Daniels has an ACC-leading 11 interceptions.

While he did account for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in the 50-36 loss at Alabama, Daniels' efforts have far too often gone in a losing effort.

Stockstill and offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr., who is now the play caller, have a chance to give him an in-season restart. How much will the coaches change as FSU (3-5, 1-4 ACC) prepares for a road game at Boston College (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday at noon (ACC Network) remains to be seen. Stockstill hinted at "subtle changes" on offense and defense.

Perhaps the element of a few surprises could help the Seminoles' offense. BC has the No. 35 pass defense in the FBS (188.3 yards), and Harris Jr. hasn't called plays since he was on UCF's staff with coach Gus Malzahn in 2024.

With FSU shorthanded, Daniels represents the best chance to be a calming influence for his teammates. The Seminoles will play without their top receiver as Robinson has a season-ending knee injury. Top tailbacks Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. are also out, although Singleton could return later in November.

FSU is shorthanded at running back, and likely will lean on its fourth option, freshman Amari Thomas, as Tre' Wisner is questionable on the initial availability report. Daniels is FSU's top healthy runner, with 12 rushing touchdowns. While Robinson is FSU's leading receiver, the Seminoles have depth in Micahi Danzy, Jayvan Boggs, Jasen Lopez and Devin Carter.

Still, the supporting cast is different and that could put more pressure on Daniels' shoulders. Stockstill and Harris could try to tailor FSU's game plan to Daniels' strengths, directing him to make quicker decisions or to throw the ball away when he's on the run instead of forcing into double coverage.

"He throws a good deep ball," Stockstill said. "He can throw the ball outside the pocket on the move. He is a strong, powerful runner that can move the sticks for you. I think he does a lot of good things.

"And, to me, we just don't overload him. That's the worst thing you can do with a quarterback is put so much on his plate."

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