Man, that Monday night loss for the Florida State Seminoles against the SMU Mustangs was a tough one, especially with some big-time visitors in the house. Imagine trying to showcase your program to 2028 four-star quarterback Chandler Dyson, only to watch your offense totally stumble. He was there to see FSU prove why they’re so highly regarded, but what he got instead was a brutal look at their struggles, particularly from starting quarterback Ashton Daniels.
Ashton Daniels’ Rough Night Didn’t Impress a Key Recruit
So, what exactly caught Dyson’s eye? He didn’t mince words to 247Sports, saying, “If I’m being honest, I didn’t really like how they tried to utilize the QB. He was taking too many hits, and the offensive performance was okay. The QB missed open receivers, but the running backs did pretty good.” Yikes. That’s a direct shot at the play-calling and the execution, and it’s coming from a guy FSU absolutely wants to land.
Daniels’ stats tell part of the story, going just 12 for 23 for a pedestrian 125 yards. Do the math, and that’s only 5.4 yards per attempt. That’s not getting it done, plain and simple. What really jumped out was the FSU offense’s complete lack of throwing the ball beyond 10 yards or even trying to take shots downfield. Sure, sometimes Daniels didn’t have time to throw, but even when he did, he just wasn’t pushing the ball vertically. And while they didn’t turn it over, the third-down efficiency was an absolute nightmare, converting only two of 15 attempts. That’s just unacceptable, especially with a talent like Dyson watching from Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Fans Delivered, But FSU Needs to Step Up Big Time
The good news for FSU, if there is any, is that Dyson apparently loved the energy from the fans. He even said he’s open to making a return visit, specifically mentioning the big games against the Clemson Tigers on October 31 and the season finale versus the Florida Gators on November 27. That’s a small window of hope FSU can cling to.
Let’s be real, Dyson isn’t just any recruit. He’s a 6-foot-3, 230-pound monster, ranked as the No. 181 prospect in the entire country, the No. 12 quarterback, and the No. 25 recruit in Georgia by the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s a game-changer. FSU is going to have to play a whole lot better if they want to keep his interest and get him back on campus for one of those crucial games. The pressure is on, FSU. You’ve got to show this kid you can do more than just be “okay” on offense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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