In a week typically defined by the rivalry game taking place on the field, the focus for both the Florida and Florida State programs is all on the future off the field. UF is searching for its next head coach, and FSU just announced that it is retaining head coach Mike Norvell despite poor results.

It should be no surprise, given the focus on the future, that much of the conversation this week in Tallahassee revolved around star junior receiver Duce Robinson. Namely, the question of his future in Garnet and Gold.

Robinson is in the middle of a historic season, likely to top 1,000 yards and already in the mix for one of the greatest receiving seasons in the history of an FSU program known for receiving talent. With Norvell returning, Robinson’s decision to stay in Tallahassee or go to the NFL will have a big impact on FSU’s 2026 prospects.

On Tuesday, Robinson was asked point-blank by an FSU reporter: “Are you gonna be back here next year?”

As he often does, Robinson broke out into a wide smile, and then replied coyly.

“I think there’s a time and a place for that conversation,” he said. “Right now, all my focus is on Florida and doing my best to make sure I prepare well and make a bowl game.”

He later added, “After the season, I’ll be able to tell you guys more. Right now, I’m just trying to take it day by day and continuously improve.”

While Robinson may be undecided (or just unwilling to share), Norvell somewhat subtly made his case for Robinson to stay. The Seminoles head coach praised Robinson’s skillset and work ethic, while specifically saying that Robinson has A) improved under FSU’s coaching staff this year and B) still has more room for improvement – presumably before going to the NFL.

“He came in, a young man with great potential,” Norvell said. “I still think he’s just scratching the surface to where I think he can go. There are plenty of things in his game that I think he can improve.

“I know he’s really happy here. I know he’s happy with the progress he’s seen.”

To Norvell’s credit, Robinson backed up his coach’s claims. The receiver credited the coaching staff for his breakout campaign, saying they pushed him to improve even on the days he didn’t want to put in the extra effort.

“When I came here, they told me what they believed I could be, and they’ve reinforced that since I’ve been here,” Robinson said. “They made sure I’m doing everything I can to live up to what I can be.”

Robinson's NFL Draft stock

Of course, the decision isn’t entirely up to Robinson. He would need reassurances that the NFL wants him before he walked away from college football. And in today’s world, Robinson stands to make more money through NIL and college athlete payouts at FSU than he would as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent in the NFL.

Robinson may just be ready for the next step, and that’s fine. At the moment, however, his immediate prospects are iffy.

Pro Football Focus has Robinson listed at 180th overall on their 2026 NFL Draft Board. That’s roughly a sixth-round placement. In a draft pool stacked with talented receivers, PFF currently ranks Robinson as the 30th overall pass catcher.

Rankings such as those aren’t gospel, of course. As anyone who has followed the NFL Draft can attest, all it takes is one General Manager or coach to be enamored with a player for him to be drafted much earlier than analysts expect.

Here’s what PFF had to say about Robinson’s prospects earlier in the season:

“Robinson is a former top-20 overall recruit in the country, rooted in his massive size and multi-sport background (also a college-level outfielder). His frame gives him long strides for vertical routes, providing a challenge for any cornerback trying to disengage from his blocks. As a receiver, his route tree is basically just vertical routes. Changing direction and sinking his hips can be difficult. Robinson's biggest area of improvement is the catch point, where he needs to become a dominant presence. That will be his sticking point in the league.”

They are certainly right that Robinson is a deep threat. He leads the ACC in yards per catch and at one point led the entire nation. Robinson’s ability to make contested catches appears to have improved, as well. That has likely improved his draft stock accordingly.

Robinson could be a building block for FSU in '26

Getting Robinson back for 2026 would be a boon for Norvell and FSU. It would be even more impactful if the NCAA grants quarterback Tommy Castellanos another year of eligibility. Robinson has credited Castellanos as one of the main reasons he came to FSU in the first place, along with Norvell and the coaching staff.

Robinson says he is focused on this weekend’s game right now. But in the midst of a disappointing season for the program, FSU fans are focused on the future. What Robinson decides this winter will have a large impact on how rosy that future can be.

Whether his career in Tallahassee is one year or two, Robinson said he is grateful for the experience – an appropriate sentiment going into Thanksgiving weekend.

“I’m so beyond blessed and grateful that I ended up at Florida State,” Robinson said. “I’ve made memories and relationships here that will last my entire life.”

Florida State and Florida play this Saturday, Nov. 29, at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN 2.