Florida State has made a significant move by hiring John Garrett as its new general manager of player personnel. This newly created role is part of a broader effort to improve the football program.
Garrett previously served at Duke, where he played a key role in securing top talent from the transfer portal. His efforts helped lead Duke to win the 2025 ACC title, thanks to standout players like quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate.
In another notable update, first-team All-ACC wide receiver Duce Robinson has decided to return to Florida State instead of entering the NFL draft. Robinson had an impressive season, catching 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns, making him Florida State’s first player to hit the 1,000-yard mark in receiving since 2019.
Garrett is no stranger to Florida State, having spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the director of scouting for offense. Under head coach Mike Norvell, the team had its best performance with a record of 23-4, including a perfect 13-0 season in 2023.
Despite a rough stretch of 7-17 recently, Florida State decided to keep Norvell for the upcoming season. They believe that restructuring the football department will pave the way for better performance. Garrett will oversee all aspects of building the team, which includes high school recruiting, managing the transfer portal, and scholarship allocation.
Athletic director Michael Alford emphasized the importance of adapting to the changing landscape of college football, stating, “John Garrett brings a proven background in roster management that will allow our coaches to focus on coaching while building our roster smartly and competitively.”
This changes the way college football teams strategize their recruitment and roster management, creating a dynamic environment that parallels professional sports. Clipboard strategies are becoming more critical than ever, as statistics show that top-tier college programs tend to showcase effective roster management.
With experts noting the importance of adapting to these shifts in the college game, it will be interesting to see how Garrett’s leadership influences Florida State’s future performance.
For more on the changing dynamics of college sports, check out this NCAA report.
