Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is calling for a change to an NCAA rule that he believes unfairly impacts his program and others across college football. The Seminoles’ head coach has voiced his concerns about the regulation, arguing that it limits the ability of teams to develop players and maintain competitiveness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
Norvell has specifically taken issue with the NCAA’s transfer eligibility restrictions, which prevent certain student-athletes from immediately playing after switching schools. While some players are granted waivers or immediate eligibility under specific circumstances, others are forced to sit out a year. Norvell believes this inconsistency creates an unfair playing field and puts programs like Florida State at a disadvantage.
“There has to be consistency in how these decisions are made,” Norvell said in a recent press conference. “We’ve seen cases where one player is cleared right away while another in a similar situation is forced to sit out. That’s not fair to the athletes or the programs trying to build rosters.”
The Florida State coach has also voiced concerns about roster management, as current NCAA rules limit the number of scholarships teams can use in a given year. With the increased use of the transfer portal, Norvell argues that schools should have more flexibility in replacing departing players without exceeding the annual scholarship cap.
“We need to adjust to the way college football is changing,” Norvell stated. “Programs need the ability to fill roster gaps and develop players without being handcuffed by outdated restrictions.”
Norvell’s push for reform has gained support from other coaches and administrators who share his frustrations. Whether the NCAA will take action remains to be seen, but with the growing debate over transfer rules and roster management, Norvell’s advocacy is helping to bring the issue into the spotlight.