The 2026 NFL Draft will feature Florida State's Darrell Jackson as the latest Seminole expected to be drafted. Under Mike Norvell, FSU has had 18 draft picks, with a notable decline in recent seasons despite a strong historical record.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23
Florida State has produced over 300 drafted players
FSU has had at least one player drafted every year since 1984
Darrell Jackson is expected to be drafted in 2026
Mike Norvell has had 18 draft picks during his tenure
It's an impressive run for a program that has often competed at the highest level of college football during that time. However, the Seminoles have struggled in recent seasons, with a combined 7-17 record since an undefeated 13-0 regular season in 2023.
Head coach Mike Norvell has had 18 draft picks during his tenure with the Seminoles and is guaranteed at least one more in the 2026 NFL Draft with Jackson. Let's take a look at Norvell's drafted players and how the number of players picked has fluctuated in his six-year tenure.
2024 NFL Draft produced 10 draft picks, over half of Norvell's total
For Norvell, it's the peak of his time in Tallahassee, both in on-field results and production of draftees.
Verse was selected in the first round, only the second first-round pick of Norvell's tenure, joining Jermaine Johnson II, and it was only the second time more than two players were drafted under Norvell. Travis was the first quarterback selected out of FSU since Winston in 2015, and only the fourth since 2010.
It's one of the best draft hauls in FSU's history, but how have drafts looked like outside of the 2024 season?
FSU has had just three players selected in the top three rounds outside of 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Darrell Jackson of the Florida State Seminoles participtates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Darrell Jackson of the Florida State Seminoles participtates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Only Johnson, Asante Samuel Jr and Azareye'h Thomas have been selected in the first three rounds of the draft outside of 2024.
Johnson and Samuel were both selected in the first two years of Norvell's tenure with the Seminoles, and the program produced five picks in those seasons.
The draft numbers have tanked for FSU since the departure of Jimbo Fisher, with Willie Taggart and Norvell combining for a total of 21 draft picks in eight seasons, two picks less than what Fisher produced from 2015-2018. FSU had only had a single player drafted in an NFL draft twice from 1975 to 2019, but since then, three drafts have been completed with one Seminole selected, and that number could increase to four if Jackson is the lone draftee in 2026.
FSU has struggled to recruit blue-chip talent to Tallahassee since the departure of Fisher, and while that doesn't fully equate to the fall off in draft picks, it's played a significant part. Of the 18 draft picks under Norvell, 11 were transfers, and of the seven non-transfers, including the four 2021 draftees, who all committed to play for Fisher or Taggart.
In 2026, the Seminoles will see Jackson selected, likely in the first five rounds, and could see offensive lineman Micah Pettus, Quarterback Tommy Castellanos, and defensive back Jerry Wilson potentially being considered for late-round picks.
