When Mike Norvell was in his earliest weeks as Florida State's coach, he could already spot the key flaw in quarterback James Blackman.
While Blackman's passion was admirable, it wasn't always controllable. One mistake could snowball.
"There's going to be a bad play that probably shows up in every game," Norvell said. "But his response is what's going to define him."
Blackman's latest response through three-plus turbulent years in Tallahassee finally led him to regain his defining title: starting quarterback, when the Seminoles open against Georgia Tech next Saturday.
Norvell's announcement Tuesday wasn't a surprise. His top challenger, Jordan Travis, missed a recent scrimmage, and four-star freshman Chubba Purdy will be out for several weeks with an injury, too.
But that shouldn't diminish Blackman's accomplishment. Besides, he was probably due for a lucky break, considering the way his FSU career has gone so far.
Even though he ranks in the top 12 in program history in touchdown passes (41), completions (390) and passing yards (5,079), Blackman's career has been defined by a revolving door of misfortunes.
He was thrust onto the field before he was ready _ in the closing minutes of the season opener of his true freshman season against eventual national champion Alabama. From there, he has had three significant stints as the starter and lost the job twice (to Deondre Francois in 2018 and Alex Hornibrook in 2019). Norvell is his third head coach in four seasons, and Blackman is on his fourth offensive coordinator and sixth different play caller.
One of the lowest points came in the Sun Bowl, with Norvell watching his new team. Blackman threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in an awful 20-14 loss to Arizona State.
Instead of dwelling on the negatives _ the embarrassing showing in El Paso, another new system and set of coaches and another quarterback competition _ Blackman blocked it all out. He focused only on his response.
"As long as I came by and put the work and did what I had to do to execute," Blackman said, "I felt like I'd be in a good position."
He responded as well as the Seminoles could have hoped. Coaches praised the way he grasped another offense, even with the loss of almost all of spring practice because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He remained a leader on the team, reaching out to transfer running back Jashaun Corbin before he even arrived on campus from Texas A&M. He weathered another coaching change and didn't waver from his desire to stay at FSU.
"I think it speaks to him," Norvell said. "A lot of people can sit around and tell you how bad they have it and how unfortunate it is, and I've got empathy for what James has had to go through in his playing career. ...
"He had to continue to come, show up every day and build upon the player, the man and every aspect that he wants to be. And that's what showed up. I'm really pleased that that young man specifically has responded in a great way."
The positive responses carried over onto the field once camp began. Offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said Blackman won the job because he displayed the consistency that's the mark of a championship quarterback.
"You must respond and be that consistent player, that every play is its own play," Dillingham said. "I think he's bought into that, and you can see throughout fall camp he's done a really good job with his response."
Norvell took it a step farther; he called Blackman's camp "extraordinary."
Now Blackman will have to respond again _ this time to some long-overdue good news. It's too early to tell what it'll mean at Doak Campbell Stadium next weekend, but Norvell liked the way his newly minted starting quarterback reacted to his decision.
Blackman said, "Yes, sir, thank you very much," ran across the field and finished his work.
