In an era of transfer portals and early exits to the NFL, few college football players stick around the same program for more than three to four years.
Jordan Travis has been perhaps the biggest exception to that rule. Travis has been at Florida State since 2019, the year after he transferred from Louisville. He took over starting duties at quarterback in 2020, and hasn't looked back since then.
As the Seminoles built their team back up around him, Travis was the big constant FSU could count on as it started landing top recruits and big transfers as the team went through some hardships. At last, in 2023, the Seminoles clicked. Florida State routed LSU in the season opener and was running the table through ACC play to clinch its first ACC title game appearance since 2014.
But just before Travis was set to play on his biggest stage, his college career came to an abrupt end. During a nonconference game Nov. 18 against North Alabama, he was tackled and his leg bent awkwardly. Everyone watching as he was loaded onto the cart to be taken to the locker room knew his college career was likely over.
Travis will leave Florida State with the second-most passing yards (8,715), a school-record total yards of offense (10,676) and as the only player to rank in both the top 10 in both passing and rushing touchdowns
Now, as Florida State (12-0) looks to win its first ACC title since 2014 and make only its second College Football Playoff appearance, it will have to do so without the quarterback who has been at the forefront of Florida State's turnaround.
Is Jordan Travis out for the season?
It seemed like a foregone conclusion after Travis' injury occurred that his college career was over. And two days after the game, Florida State posted a statement from Travis, during which he said his Florida State days were over.
I truly cannot thank everyone enough for the many thoughts, prayers and messages that have been sent my way. I have been overwhelmed by the support from my teammates, coaches, the Florida State community and those all around the world. Although the injury I sustained on November 18th, 2023, marks the end of my Seminole playing career, the great memories created here at FSU will never fade. Being the quarterback here at Florida State University has been a dream come true. I am humbled, honored and forever grateful. The journey this team set out on is not over yet as all of our goals still lie just ahead. I am excited to be by my brothers' sides every day as we continue our attack. We're all we got, we're all we need. Job's not finished. Go Noles!
During Florida State's win over North Alabama, Travis ran up the middle for 16 yards to try and jump start a Seminoles offense that had gotten off to a cold start agains the Lions. He was tackled from behind, and his left leg was rolled up on by the defender. (Video can be found here).
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Travis' leg could be seen bent awkwardly in the video, and medical staff rushed out to the field. An Aircast was placed on his left leg, and he was carted off to the locker room and eventually taken to the hospital.
On Nov. 28, Travis announced he had successful surgery on his left leg to repair his injury.
Jordan Travis recovery timeline
Florida State has not publicly stated exactly what Travis' injury was, and there is little information about exactly what happened. ProFootballNetwork reported there is speculation he could have a three- to four-month recovery timeline.
That of course puts any chance of him playing again in a Florida State uniform, even if the Seminoles reach the national championship, out of the question. The focus now for Travis would be recovering in time to work out in front of teams before April's NFL Draft.