Florida State just got a much better idea of the QB it will face in the season opener

Mike Norvell was quick to name Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels the starter this offseason, so Florida State has no questions about who its starting quarterback will be in Week 0, when it opens the 2026 season at Doak Campbell Stadium. Now, neither does its opponent. 

At Conference USA Kickoff on Tuesday, New Mexico State head coach Tony Sanchez, heading into his third year at the helm, named Furman transfer Trey Hedden as his likely starting QB for the season, saying he “has the nod” going into fall camp and that, “right now, he’s gotta fight to keep it.” 

Hedden started all 12 games for Furman last season, throwing for 2,967 yards and 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions while completing 68.5 percent of his passes. The 6-foot-3, Tampa, Florida, native was expected to battle redshirt junior returner Adam Damante this offseason after Damante took over the starting job down the stretch last year. 

While a team Florida State is paying $1.4 million to come to Doak Campbell in Week 0 certainly should not be the toughest to scout on the schedule this year, the clarity will be helpful for Norvell and defensive coordinator Tony White. 

Trey Hedden named New Mexico State’s likely starting QB for 2026 season

Hedden’s only test against Power 4 competition last season came in a November game against Clemson, ultimately a 45-10 loss. Hedden completed 22 of his 38 attempts for 179 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was also sacked twice and finished with -15 rushing yards. 

While he’s not a mobile QB, Hedden does a nice job throwing on the run and has quite a bit of arm strength for a player who has spent his career at the FCS level. He did not look particularly comfortable under pressure against the Clemson defense, and along with his interception, he lost a fumble when he was stripped in the pocket. 

Hedden will be a year older and presumably with better talent around him now that he’s at the FBS level. However, he’s shown himself to be loose with the football, and that’s regardless of competition level, so it will be a great opportunity for Florida State’s defense to take the ball away in the season opener and potentially set the tone for the rest of the year. 

No matter who New Mexico State was going to trot out on August 29 in Tallahassee, Florida State should be perfectly comfortable handling its business. Still, knowing it’s likely to be Hedden, barring anything unforeseen at New Mexico State’s fall camp, will allow FSU’s staff to do an early scout, build a solid game plan, and quickly move its attention to its Week 1 ACC opener against SMU and Kevin Jennings. 

Jennings, a dynamic dual-threat with multiple seasons of starting experience, presents a considerably greater challenge to a defensive coordinator than Hedden does, so, as quickly as FSU’s staff can start to look ahead, it should.

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This article was originally published on chopchat.com as Florida State just got a much better idea of the QB it will face in the season opener.