For those outside the program, there’s not much confidence surrounding the immediate future of Florida State football entering this offseason.

The Seminoles are a combined 7-18 since they were snubbed from the 2023 College Football Playoff. The once-immaculate vibes are a distant memory at this point after the last two seasons.

But Duce Robinson could have enough confidence for everyone to make up the difference.

Robinson was one of the few unabashed bright spots of the 2024 season. The FSU legacy and former five-star recruit transferred in from USC and realized his potential and then some with an ACC-leading 1,081 receiving yards in the regular season along with six touchdowns to become Mike Norvell’s first 1,000-yard receiver of his FSU tenure.

He was a first-team All-ACC wideout and a third-team All-American according to Phil Steele. And considering his pairing of 6-foot-6 height and impressive speed, he could be headed to the 2026 NFL Draft if he desired, potentially as a first-round pick.

He’s not leaving, though. Even when few outside the program believe in Norvell, Robinson does. He wants his time at the school he grew up dreaming of playing for to end with a better result.

“I just believe,” Robinson told reporters this week of his decision to return for his senior season in 2026. “I believe in Florida State. I believe in what Coach Norvell is doing. I believe in a lot of the coaches he brought in, a lot of the players he brought in, and I believe in the guys that we have returning. And so I think we have the opportunity to do something really special.

“I didn’t want to leave having the season we had last year. It felt unfair to the fans. Because they’ve given me so much. So, I just want to try to give them something in return.”

Upon announcing his decision to return Jan. 1, Robinson became quite a recruiting tool for the Seminoles. Quarterbacks will want to throw to him, offensive linemen will want to block for him and running backs will want to benefit from having such a big-play-threat receiver in the offense.

Robinson immediately struck up a tremendous relationship with former FSU QB Tommy Castellanos, who also transferred into the program last offseason and was roommates with Robinson.

Now, it seems likely either Stanford/Auburn quarterback transfer Ashton Daniels or rising redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry will helm the offense in 2026 and get the opportunity to throw passes to Robinson.

“I’ve actually known Ashton for a while,” Robinson said of Daniels. “Since back when he was at Stanford. And he’s always been an incredible person. I didn’t really talk with him about much on the field, at least until we were recruiting him, but I’ve always known he’s someone who I get along with. He’s someone who’s easy to talk to, and just being able to actually talk about stuff with him on the field and ball, he seems really knowledgeable. He seems like he’s a really good leader and I’m really excited to have him be a part of the team.”

As for Sperry, who Robinson got to see in practice and limited game action last season, he said, “I think Kevin Sperry is an absolute baller,” Robinson said. “He’s a guy who can make every throw. He’s super athletic, and he’s really just all about ball. And I got to know him pretty well last year. So, I’m excited to see what he’s going to do this year, because I think he has all the potential in the world.

Robinson is also high on the receiver room the Seminoles will bring into 2026. If Micahi Danzy returns for another football season — at least a minor question with the 2028 Olympics getting ever closer for the world-class sprinter — FSU would also bring back a player who averaged 21.2 yards per catch, which led all Power-Four players.

Add in Jayvan Boggs returning after an injury-hindered freshman season and six incoming freshmen (three of whom were four-star recruits) and you can at least somewhat see what Robinson does in terms of receiver talent on the 2026 squad.

The last thing on anyone’s minds right now when it comes to Florida State football is envisioning being in contention for a national title. And yet, Robinson is so staunch in his belief that he’s manifesting it over a year out from next season’s national title game.

“I came back so next year, at this time, we’re still playing,” Robinson said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”