After landing QB Ashton Daniels, Florida State’s Mike Norvell is busy securing the rest of his chess pieces after the Seminoles have suffered back-to-back disappointing seasons. On Friday, he added another $1 million player to protect his quarterback on the line of scrimmage.

“Florida State has landed a commitment from Auburn OT transfer Xavier Chaplin,” Chris Hummer shares on X.

On Thursday, ex-Auburn offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin dropped by Tallahassee to gauge his future plans with the Seminoles. Before heading to FSU, the 6’7, 348-pound OT had visited Kentucky as well. But Norvell’s program, especially his bonding with OL coach Herb Hand, finally won him over.

“I talked to him a little bit before I showed up here, but when I actually came in, this is my first time actually seeing the type of person he is, the type of coach he is,” Chaplin said, according to On3. “And I’m in love with it all.”

Excited with what lay ahead for him, the redshirt junior gave his commitment to FSU. He now joins former teammates Ashton Daniels and Bradyn Joiner at FSU. Among the many reasons, Daniels’ commitment to FSU may have also influenced his decision.

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“It matters a lot to me because that’s who makes the o-line look good for real,” Chaplin said. “The quarterback’s getting the ball out quick, he’s not getting dirty, then everything’s good.”

With both athletes having played alongside each other this past season, Norvell is ensuring that Daniels’ chemistry with Xavier will lead to strong locker room chemistry, increasing his chances of securing the QB1 gig. However, Daniels’ role at Auburn had been limited.

Although he saw some significant snaps after the Tigers benched Jackson Arnold in his favor. He played four games, preserving his redshirt. He totaled five touchdowns and two interceptions for more than 700 yards. Daniels may have been one of the reasons, but development remained his primary goal.

“I learned that they plan on trying to use me to showcase my talent the best they could,” he shared with War Chant’s Matt LaSerre. “They are trying to get me out. They want to just show how dominant I am as a player and as an offensive lineman.”

The veteran brings three years of experience to his resume. Having spent two seasons at Virginia Tech, he started all 25 games combined, earning the All-ACC honors and more. Following this, he headed towards Auburn, where he started all twelve games, recording 823 snaps.

So, with the Seminoles now adding experience through the transfer portal, the attention now turns to the main architect behind their rebuild.

Mike Norvell oversees FSU’s O-line reboot

Nearly thirty players have left the program after a disappointing 5-7 season, the worst in the Seminoles’ football history. As the season came to a close, all five starters on the O-line exhausted their eligibility, leaving the program. The list includes:

• Left Tackle Darius Washington
• Left Guard Richie Leonard IV
• Center Maurice Smith
• Right Guard Keiondre Jones
• Right Tackle Jeremiah Byers

In addition to that, LA Jesse Harrold, Tye Hylton, and Lucus Simmons entered the portal.

Now, Norvell is working from the ground up to replenish those depleted ranks.

So far, Norvell has secured commitments from OL Paul Bowling (ex-Troy), OL Bradyn Joiner (Auburn), and OL Nate Pabst (Bowling Green). Xavier Chaplin’s commitment is the latest on FSU’s offensive line.

Bowling has started 12 games for the Trojans. Joiner will add his multi-position experience at center and guard. As for Pabst, he will add depth at the offensive tackle position.