Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Here's what to expect in this issue:

🏃‍♂️ FSU Men's Track Shines at Penn Relays 🏃‍♂️ Dive into the impressive performances by FSU's track stars at the renowned Penn Relays, featuring record-breaking runs and strategic races that continue to push the boundaries of FSU's athletic prowess.

🏈 FSU's Jared Verse Drafted 19th Overall by the Los Angeles Rams 🏈 Celebrate Jared Verse's monumental leap to the NFL as the 19th overall pick, continuing FSU's legacy of producing top-tier professional athletes.

🎾 FSU Tennis Triumphs: ACC Player and Coach of the Year Awards 🎾 Explore the remarkable achievements in FSU's tennis program, which has seen both a player and the coach earning top honors in the ACC this year.

🏀 Jerry Deng Signs with Florida State Basketball 🏀 Get to know Jerry Deng, the promising new addition to the FSU basketball team, whose skills on the court are set to energize the Seminoles' upcoming season.

🏐 No. 4 FSU Beach Volleyball Heads to CCSA Championship 🏐 Follow the top-seeded FSU beach volleyball team as they aim to dominate the CCSA Championship and add another title to their collection.

⚾ No. 10 Florida State Set for Key Series at No. 6 Duke ⚾ Preview the crucial upcoming baseball series as FSU faces off against Duke, highlighting key players and strategic matchups.

🏈 Seminoles in the Hunt: FSU's Final Push in the Transfer Portal 🏈 Catch up on FSU's strategic moves in the NCAA Transfer Portal as they finalize their football roster for the upcoming season.

🏛️ Legal Showdown: Florida AG Sues ACC Over Media Rights Documents 🏛️ Understand the latest developments in the legal battle involving FSU, the ACC, and media rights transparency, spearheaded by Florida's Attorney General.

🏃‍♂️ FSU Men's Track Shines at Penn Relays 🏃‍♂️

The Florida State men's outdoor track and field team showcased strong performances at the prestigious Penn Relays, with standout efforts in distance events.

🌟 Record-Breaking Run

Cooper Schroeder led the team with a career-best time in the 10,000-meter race, clocking in at 28:56.49, marking the ninth-fastest time in school history.

His fifth-place finish not only highlights his personal achievement but also secures his spot at the regional qualifying meet.

🏃‍♂️ Team Efforts

Joe Farley and Lucas Bouqout also competed in the 10,000-meter event, finishing 14th and 15th respectively, with times of 30:09.34 and 30:09.86.

In the 5,000-meter, Zach Leachman placed 30th with a time of 14:16.73, demonstrating the depth of talent within the FSU distance runners.

🗣️ Coach's Praise

FSU's head coach, Bob Braman, praised Schroeder's performance, highlighting it as a fantastic race and celebrating his qualification for the regional meet.

📅 Upcoming Competitions

The action continues for the FSU track and field teams with several events on the horizon:

• Men's Hammer Throw: Taking place at the East Coast Relays hosted by UNF at Hodges Stadium, starting Friday at 3 p.m.

• David Mullarkey's Race: Competing in the men's 10,000-meter at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, California, with the race scheduled for approximately 11:10 p.m. on Friday. Live timing and streaming will be available for fans.

• LSU Invitational: Scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this event will spotlight FSU's sprints and jumps group.

🏈 FSU's Jared Verse Drafted 19th Overall by the Los Angeles Rams 🏈

Exciting news from the NFL Draft—Florida State's standout defensive end, Jared Verse, was selected 19th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, marking another milestone in FSU's storied football history.

This selection extends Florida State's impressive streak to 41 consecutive NFL Drafts with at least one player picked, a testament to the enduring strength and talent of the Seminole football program.

🌟 Verse's Impact at FSU Since transferring from Albany to FSU before the 2022 season, Verse has been a dominant force on the defensive line.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 285 pounds, he played in 25 games for the Seminoles, starting 22.

Over his FSU career, he accumulated 89 tackles, 29.5 for losses, 18 sacks, and showed versatility with three pass breakups and two blocked kicks.

🏆 Notable Performances Verse's 2023 season was particularly remarkable. He amassed 41 tackles, including 12.5 for loss and led the team with 9 sacks.

His performance in crucial games, like the 24-15 victory over Florida where he recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks, and the ACC Championship against Louisville, where he added another 2 sacks, underscored his pivotal role in FSU's defensive successes.

📈 Legacy and Prospects Jared Verse is FSU's highest-drafted player since Brian Burns in 2019 and is the 33rd top-20 pick in the program's history.

His drafting by the Rams not only highlights his exceptional skills and potential but also upholds the tradition of Seminoles making significant impacts in the NFL.

As Jared Verse transitions to the professional stage, his career at FSU will undoubtedly be remembered for its intensity and impact. The Seminole community looks forward to watching his continued success in the NFL.

🎾 FSU Tennis Triumphs: ACC Player and Coach of the Year Awards 🎾

In a remarkable season for Florida State Men’s Tennis, senior Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc has been named the ACC Men's Tennis Player of the Year, and head coach Dwayne Hultquist has earned the title of ACC Coach of the Year.

These prestigious accolades highlight an extraordinary year for the Seminoles, capped by their first-ever ACC Tournament championship.

🏆 Coach Hultquist's Strategic Mastery

Under Coach Hultquist’s leadership, FSU achieved a historic victory, becoming the first team to win four matches in four days to clinch the ACC title.

The team’s exceptional performance included victories over top-ranked teams, such as No. 65 Virginia Tech, No. 11 NC State, No. 7 Wake Forest, and No. 2 Virginia.

This is Coach Hultquist's second time receiving the ACC Coach of the Year honor, his first being in 2018.

🌟 Cornut-Chauvinc's Stellar Season

Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc has had a standout season with a 23-2 record in singles, including 17-2 against ranked opponents.

His resilience was on full display during the ACC Tournament final, where he overcame a significant deficit to secure the championship for FSU with a thrilling three-set victory over the country's No. 4-ranked player.

This win not only clinched the title but also propelled him to No. 3 in the national singles rankings.

🎾 Team Highlights and NCAA Prospects

Cornut-Chauvinc wasn't the only player recognized for his excellence; junior Joshua Dous-Karpenschif, alongside Cornut-Chauvinc, earned second-team All-ACC honors in doubles.

Additionally, junior Jamie Connel received third-team all-conference honors after an undefeated run in the tournament. FSU's team, now ranked No. 9 nationally and holding a 21-7 record, looks forward to competing in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

🏀 Jerry Deng Signs with Florida State Basketball 🏀

Exciting news for Seminole fans as Jerry Deng, a standout forward from Hampton University, has committed to Florida State, bolstering the roster with his impressive skills and potential.

Coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff are eager to integrate Deng into the Seminole lineup for the upcoming season.

🌟 Impressive Rookie Season

In his debut season at Hampton, Deng made a significant impact, averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

He showcased his shooting prowess by hitting 39.1% from beyond the arc.

His scoring ability was highlighted by a career-high 37 points against Mary Baldwin, which set the stage for his recognition as Coastal Athletic Association Rookie of the Week.

🔍 A Perfect Fit for FSU

Coach Hamilton praised Deng's athleticism and defensive capabilities, noting his ability to meet the team's high standards on every possession.

Deng's versatility and defensive skills, including his shot-blocking and ability to defend shooters, make him a valuable asset for the Seminoles.

📈 Building Relationships and Setting Goals

Deng expressed a deep connection with FSU's coaching staff, particularly highlighting the bond he formed with Coach Hamilton.

Their discussions about basketball and player development played a crucial role in his decision to join FSU.

Deng has always dreamed of playing in the ACC and admired FSU greats like Dwayne Bacon, Terance Mann, and Scottie Barnes, which influenced his choice significantly.

🏀 Choosing FSU Over Other Offers

Deng chose FSU over several other prestigious programs, including New Mexico, Boston College, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia Tech.

His decision was further solidified by a visit to FSU with his brother, where they were both impressed by the program's atmosphere and Coach Hamilton's blueprint for success.

🏐 No. 1 FSU Beach Volleyball Heads to CCSA Championship 🏐

The No. 1 Florida State beach volleyball team is set to compete in the CCSA Championship in Huntsville, Alabama, this weekend.

As the No. 1 seed, the Seminoles enter the tournament with a strong 27-7 record from the regular season, aiming to capture their eighth CCSA title since joining the conference in 2016.

🏆 Impressive Track Record

FSU has a history of dominance in the CCSA, having won seven consecutive championships from 2016 to 2022.

This year, they face stiff competition, including teams like South Carolina, No. 10 LSU, and No. 17 Grand Canyon in a double-elimination format.

🌟 Standout Players and Coaching

The team's strength is highlighted by the selection of players Audrey Koenig, Raelyn White, Anna Long, and Alexis Durish to the CCSA All-Conference Team, with Kaileigh Truslow earning a spot on the All-Freshman Team.

Coach Brooke Niles was named CCSA Coach of the Year, marking the second time she has received this honor.

📅 Tournament Outlook

FSU begins their championship pursuit against South Carolina, a team they have historically dominated with a 23-0 all-time series lead.

The Seminoles will look to continue their winning streak and advance through the tournament bracket, which features potential matchups against LSU and Grand Canyon, teams they have successfully faced earlier this season.

⚾ No. 10 Florida State Set for Key Series at No. 6 Duke ⚾

The No. 10-ranked Florida State Seminoles (32-8, 11-7 ACC) are gearing up for a crucial ACC series on the road against the No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (29-12, 13-8 ACC).

This weekend's matchup is set to be a clash of titans with both teams holding strong records and FSU coming off a recent victory over North Florida.

🕕 Series Schedule and Matchups

• Friday, April 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on ACCNX: FSU's LHP Jamie Arnold (7-1, 1.64 ERA) will take the mound against Duke's LHP Jonathan Santucci (5-0, 3.38 ERA). This opener is set to be a pitcher's duel given both starters' impressive stats this season.

• Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. on ACC Network: FSU's LHP Carson Dorsey (2-2, 4.11 ERA) faces off against Duke's LHP Kyle Johnson (3-0, 1.88 ERA), another tight contest expected with solid performances from both pitchers.

• Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. on ACCNX: The series finale will feature yet-to-be-announced starting pitchers from both sides.

🏅 Recent Performances and Highlights

FSU is looking to bounce back from a challenging series at No. 12 Wake Forest, where they dropped two close games.

However, their dominant 10-2 win against North Florida showcased their resilience and depth, particularly with standout performances from freshmen like Matt Sauser and John Abraham, and veteran Marco Dinges who hit his third grand slam of the season.

🔥 Historical and Season Context

FSU has maintained a flawless record against in-state opponents this year and boasts a history-making nine grand slams this season—a new school record.

Key players like James Tibbs III and Cam Smith have been on a hot streak, contributing significantly to the team's powerful offense.

Duke, on the other hand, is looking to recover from a heavy 18-4 defeat to Campbell but has a strong track record with four consecutive ACC series wins.

This series is pivotal for both teams as they aim to solidify their standings and momentum heading into the final stretches of the season.

🏈 Seminoles in the Hunt: FSU's Final Push in the Transfer Portal 🏈

Florida State's football program is making strategic moves in the NCAA Transfer Portal as they aim to bolster their roster with key defensive talents before the close of the spring portal window.

🔄 Portal Updates and Target Insights

FSU's coaching staff is actively pursuing top defensive line prospects, with a focus on securing visits and finalizing their roster additions. Here’s a rundown of the players they're keenly interested in:

• Simeon Barrow Jr. (Michigan State DL): After initially entering the portal last fall, Barrow chose to stay with Michigan State for the spring. Following his recent visit to LSU and with graduation approaching, FSU is eager to secure an official visit. Known for his solid performance at Michigan State, Barrow has accumulated significant stats over three years, including 110 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

• Derrick Harmon (Michigan State DL): Joining Barrow in the portal, Harmon has sparked interest from several top programs. FSU’s staff visited him recently, emphasizing their interest. Over his tenure at Michigan State, Harmon has demonstrated his prowess with 71 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

• Jared Harrison-Hunte (Miami DL): A key figure on Miami's defensive line last season, Harrison-Hunte is another prime target for FSU. With plans for an official visit to FSU potentially in the works, his experience and stats from Miami make him a valuable prospect.

🏛️ Legal Showdown: Florida AG Sues ACC Over Media Rights Documents 🏛️

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has escalated the ongoing battle between Florida State University (FSU) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) by filing a lawsuit against the ACC.

This legal action seeks to obtain documentation related to the ACC’s media rights deal with ESPN, a critical aspect of FSU’s lawsuits against the conference.

Background on the Dispute

FSU is currently entangled in legal disputes with the ACC, involving suits both in Florida and North Carolina.

The core issue revolves around the ACC's media rights agreements, with FSU challenging the financial implications and seeking transparency over the documents that dictate these terms.

State Support Steps In

After a North Carolina judge dismissed FSU’s request for these documents on April 4, Florida’s Attorney General has now taken a proactive step to support FSU’s cause from within its home state.

Moody’s legal action emphasizes the significant financial stakes for FSU and criticizes the ACC for not disclosing details of a deal that could cost the university over half a billion dollars.

The Fight for Transparency

Moody's statement highlights the refusal to disclose these records, framing it as a transparency issue affecting a public entity like FSU.

The ACC's reluctance, backed by ESPN's concerns over competitive disadvantages, has only fueled the controversy, prompting Florida to consider broader legal strategies including joining FSU's appeal in North Carolina.

And that’s a wrap!

We appreciate your engagement and hope you found the updates enlightening.

For more news, insights, and stories from FSU, stay tuned for our next issue.

Until then, keep the Seminole spirit alive and well.

Go Noles!