Restrictions from COVID-19 and the recruiting dead period made this past year more challenging for college football coaches trying to rebuild their programs. On-campus visits were prohibited and relationship-building was hindered, setting back coaches who tried to add the right pieces to their rosters.
It was especially disruptive for newer coaches who haven't had a chance to get the foundation of their program in place.
Mike Norvell and his staff at Florida State fell into that category, where they were trying to build new relationships in the state and to reset the program's culture. Not only was it difficult trying to recruit the right type of player, but the coaches also were limited in assessing the roster they already had on campus.