The timing had to be right. After all, it’s about making the biggest splash when it matters most.

Which, of course, fits perfectly with the rest of Jordan Travis’ career.

Build momentum, leave them wanting more, and deliver with a bang.

So when Travis announced earlier this month that he would return in 2023 as Florida State’s talented and surging quarterback, he did so with an eye on who’s joining the ride.

Specifically, on high school and transfer portal recruiting.

“That’s why I wanted to get it out as soon as possible,” Travis said. “So everyone can see it.”

And by everyone, he means anyone interested in making the final turn home — back to the elite of college football.

The transfer portal officially opened Dec. 5, and FSU already is deep into building an impressive transfer class. FSU coach Mike Norvell promised to put the pieces around Travis to help him become more valuable to FSU and the NFL.

Last year, Norvell focused on adding skill players around Travis. This year, it’s the offensive line.

Keiondre Jones (Auburn), Jeremiah Byers (UTEP) and Casey Roddick (Colorado) were all multiple-year starters at their previous schools. All have signed on in Tallahassee.

Jones and Roddick are guards, and Byers — the top-rated tackle in the 247Sports portal rankings — will play outside at either tackle. Norvell also landed the best tight end in the portal (South Carolina’s Jaheim Bell), giving Travis another dynamic piece in the passing game.

Last year, Norvell signed tailback Trey Benson, and wideouts Johnny Wilson and Mycah Pittman from the portal to supplement Travis’ growth. All 3 were critical additions to the program and helped Travis emerge as one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in college football.

Now here we are already staring at the 2023 season, and the personnel goals are clear for FSU: offense, offense, offense.

That means giving Travis everything he needs to be successful. And while FSU is hovering around the top 20 in most recruiting rankings (No. 18 in the 247Sports composite), there’s little doubt about priority.

FSU’s No. 1 recruit is 5-star WR Hykeem Williams of IMG Academy in Florida. He’s the No. 27 overall recruit in the nation, according to 247Sports, and he’s what Wilson is for the Noles now: a big, long target who can run — and a matchup problem for defenses.

It’s No. 2 recruit? Massive offensive tackle Lucas Simmons (6-8, 315 pounds).

“It’s clear where the game is, and where it’s headed as far as rules and the development of players,” Norvell said earlier this year. “You have to score points. We have to do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to have success offensively.”

Long before this season began, before FSU made the hard turn in 2022 toward the top of the ACC, Norvell met with Travis to make clear his expectations for the coming season. They had just put to bed another season without a bowl game, and everyone was on notice.

Norvell told Travis he was FSU’s quarterback. Norvell believed in his talent and ability, and wanted Travis to play with the confidence of a quarterback who would be counted on in both the passing and running game.

He wasn’t a novelty, Norvell stressed. He was a quarterback, a thrower.   

Norvell showed exactly how committed he was to Travis when he spent the entire offseason building a team around him. Benson, Wilson and Pittman were only 3 of the portal additions on offense.

Norvell fortified the offensive line with guard D’Mitri Emmanuel and tackle Jazston Turnetine. He landed the best edge rusher in the portal (Jared Verse) to help the FSU defense get off the field and put the ball back in Travis’ hands.

Fast forward to the end of the 2022 season. After FSU beat rival Florida to end the regular season at +4 wins from last season, Norvell met with Travis again and said the Noles were moving toward more immediate changes through the portal.

The jump Travis made in Year 2 as the starter (29 total TDs, 4 INTs) is just the beginning. Beating rivals Miami and Florida in the same season in only the first step of the turnaround.

This time, the goals are much bigger than the postseason. It’s winning the ACC and finding a way to the Playoff, and yes, maybe even a Heisman Trophy.

There are definite, tangible steps to get there, and it begins with procuring talent. To that end, FSU isn’t finished recruiting the transfer portal.

And Travis isn’t done changing who and what the Noles can be.

“This is a special place,” Travis said. “We’re going to be a special team.”