Florida State has enjoyed its renaissance back into the national spotlight, as the Seminoles have stormed through the regular season with a 12-0 record. In the process, NFL Draft experts took a liking to the stellar play of quarterback Jordan Travis during FSU’s undefeated run.
But to win game No. 13 and solidify a spot in the College Football Playoff on Saturday, they’ll have to do it without the prized quarterback and rising NFL prospect.
What Happened to Jordan Travis? Injury Timeline of 2024 NFL Draft Prospect
Travis has been out of action since going down awkwardly on Nov. 18. The longtime FSU QB had his leg bent awkwardly against North Alabama.
He left on a cart only to later discover his illustrious career in Tallahassee, Fla., ended. Travis was ruled out with a left ankle injury that required a cast. His ailment later required surgery.
Travis then released a statement on Monday confirming his career as a Seminole is done. But he added that “the great memories created here at FSU will never fade.”
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
His Seminoles now have one more game before learning their bowl fate — the Atlantic Coast Conference title contest versus Louisville. Travis, again, will be unable to go as he’s been ruled out of the game. However, Travis has all the faith in the world that the other Seminole QBs can get the job done.
“I can’t wait to watch them go out and perform,” Travis told ESPN College GameDay. “In the quarterback room, we always talk about being a leader, [having] the toughness … and those guys do a great job with that. I have all the faith in the world in them.”
Where Was Travis on PFN’s 2024 NFL Draft Big Board?
With a significant injury comes concerns over draft stock dropping. As Travis deals with his ankle recovery, will this damage his draft stock?
PFN listed Travis as the 96th best prospect in the next draft cycle. That was before the North Alabama game. Now, his stock drops to No. 114.
That now means Travis goes from a third-round projection to only falling to a fourth-round projection. A lot can still change once the ’24 NFL Draft draws near as Travis could still wow NFL scouts with his arm, intellect, and other intangibles.
But, Travis could still be limited in workouts depending on the remaining severity of his injured ankle. Current speculations have Travis needing up to four months of recovery time. That could wipe away an NFL Scouting Combine workout if invited and potentially could threaten his Florida State Pro Day. He would also easily miss the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl since both games are played in late January.
Travis, though, still produced the kind of credentials that will pique the interest of some NFL suitors. After transferring from Louisville following the 2018 season, Travis had to fight his way up the roster.
He ended his career in Tallahassee tallying 8,644 yards, tossing 65 touchdowns, and getting picked off 19 times. In his final two seasons, Travis threw for more than 20 touchdown passes and went 22-2 as a starter.
More importantly, Travis is now revered by a long-suffering fan base that had been clamoring to see the Seminoles return to national dominance. Travis became the first QB to lift the ‘Noles back to national relevancy and the national championship picture.