Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

🔥 Florida State Baseball heads into the Sunshine Showdown rubber match with the Gators, looking to bounce back from a rough Wake series and reclaim in-state bragging rights under the national spotlight on ESPN2.

🏀 Meanwhile, Luke Loucks is putting together a monster portal class, adding double-double machine Alex Steen and hosting elite freshman Max Green on campus this weekend.

💡 On the football side? We're diving deep into spring scrimmage takeaways — including QB1 growth, Tony White's culture shift, and freshman standouts making noise. Plus, recruiting buzz is heating up with official visits locked in for top 2026 targets across the board — from RB Derrek Cooper to TE Isaac Jensen and even a familiar name in Jonah Winston.

Let’s get into it. 👇

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⚾ Sunshine Showdown: Noles + Gators Set for Prime-Time Rubber Match

It’s Round 3. And this time, it’s under the lights in Gainesville. 🔥

No. 9 Florida State Baseball (25–6) heads to Condron Family Ballpark Tuesday night to face rival Florida in the final regular-season meeting of 2025 — with the series tied 1–1 and bragging rights on the line.

🕖 First Pitch: 7 PM ET
📺 Watch: ESPN2 | 📻 WFLA 100.7 FM | 💻 FSU Gameday App

📊 Quick Notes:

• FSU: Coming off its first series loss of the year (to Wake), the Noles are looking to bounce back after being outscored 29–2 over the last two games.

• UF: Just 1–11 in SEC play and 2–12 vs. ranked teams — but they did take Game 1 in Tally.

• Pitching Matchup: Peyton Prescott (3–0, 5.09 ERA) vs. Jackson Barberi (1–1, 5.12 ERA)

🧨 The Story So Far:

• Game 1 (March 11): Gators win 7–2 in Tallahassee

• Game 2 (March 25): FSU walks it off in Jacksonville behind Alex Lodise’s legendary cycle + walk-off grand slam

🧠 Series History: Noles lead 135–128–1 all-time, including 4 of the last 5 since Link Jarrett took over.

📍 Up Next: FSU stays on the road for a top-25 ACC series at No. 25 Virginia Tech, starting Friday.

👉 Full preview, TV links + series history right here.

🏀 Frontcourt Fortified: FSU Lands 2x DPOY Alex Steen

Luke Loucks is building a bruising frontcourt — and his latest addition is a double-double machine. 💪

Florida State picked up a major portal win on Monday with the commitment of Alex Steen, a 6’9” forward and two-time Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Florida Southern.

🔥 The Numbers:

• 17.9 PPG | 10.6 RPG in 2024 (back-to-back 10+ rebounding seasons)

• 1st-Team All-Conference each of the past two years

• 4⭐️ portal prospect per On3

📍 Hometown Kid: The Panama City native chose FSU to be close to home — and cited an instant connection with Loucks and the staff.

🗣️ Steen: “I’m a winning type of guy… I want to go somewhere I can compete and help win.”

🌲 Sleeper No More: Averaged 22+ PPG in high school but flew under the radar playing in Florida’s Panhandle.

📊 Transfer Class So Far:

• G Robert McCray V (Jacksonville)

• F Chauncey Wiggins (Clemson)

• G Kobe Magee (Drexel)

• F Lajae Jones (St. Bonaventure)

• F Thomas Bassong (Overtime Elite)

• F Alex Steen (Florida Southern)

👉 Full commitment breakdown here.

🚨 Max Visit Alert: Holy Cross Guard Set to Visit FSU

Florida State men’s hoops could be closing in on another major portal addition. 👀

🔗 Max Green, a standout freshman guard from Holy Cross, confirmed he’ll be visiting FSU on Sunday as Luke Loucks continues to aggressively build his 2024–25 roster.

📊 Green’s Freshman Stats:

• 14.9 PPG | 38.0% from 3

• 5.6 REB | 3.5 AST

• Started all 31 games as a true freshman

• Strong frame at 6'6", 182 lbs with two-way upside

📍 The La Grange, Ky. native is one of FSU’s top backcourt targets — and his upcoming visit could move things quickly.

👉 More on his game + fit with the Noles here.

🧠 3-2-1 Takeaways: Spring Scrimmage Hints at Identity Shift for the Noles

With media finally allowed to watch scrimmage action on Saturday, we got our most in-depth glimpse yet at what’s brewing inside Mike Norvell’s program. From Castellanos’ fit in the new offense to culture shifts under Tony White — here’s what stood out:

🔥 3 Things We Learned:

1️⃣ Tommy Castellanos + Malzahn = 🔑 Castellanos finally has an offense built for him — quick decisions, rhythm throws, QB runs, and fewer dropbacks requiring full-field reads. He looked decisive and in control, leading a TD drive and moving the ball consistently. Two INTs were blemishes, but neither overly concerning. The run game dimension (largely blown dead) still looms as a major weapon.

2️⃣ Tony White’s Impact Is Bigger Than Scheme Yes, the 3-3-5 brings unique pressures and looks — but White’s real magic might be culture-building. The energy, urgency, and buy-in from the defense looked completely different from last year. Tackling was improved. Players were dialed in. Alignment was clean. White’s tone-setter style is making a mark.

3️⃣ Culture Is Coming Together No more lone players on water breaks. No small silos on the sideline. Position groups were engaged and vocal — showing signs of real chemistry.

Could this signal a stronger foundation in 2025?

🚨 Top-40 RB Derrek Cooper Locks In Official Visit to FSU

One of the nation’s top athletes is officially heading back to Tallahassee this summer. 💥

🔒 Hollywood (Fla.) RB Derrek Cooper — the No. 34 overall prospect and No. 2 ATH in the 2026 class — has scheduled his official visit to Florida State for June 15–17, per Noles247.

🗣️ “FSU feels like a family,” Cooper said after a spring visit where he spent time with Mike Norvell, Gus Malzahn, and RBs coach David Johnson.

📊 2024 Highlights (Both Ways):

• 905 rushing yards (9.3 YPC) + 13 TDs

• 46 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 FRs, 2 FFs

• 2 blocked punts + 1 receiving TD

• MaxPreps Junior All-American (2nd Team)

🏁 The Battle Ahead: FSU is back in the mix — but they’ll have to out-recruit Miami, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State and others to land the dynamic South Florida playmaker.

👉 Full breakdown + ZB’s recruiting insight here.

🔔 Tight End Target Isaac Jensen Locks in FSU OV

Florida State will get a prime shot at another Millard South (Neb.) weapon.

💥 3⭐ TE Isaac Jensen — a 6’6”, 205-pound playmaker from the same high school as FSU freshman Chase Loftin — has locked in his official visit to Tallahassee for June 13–15.

🗣️ On his first FSU visit:
“Today was a great experience… they welcomed me with the whole coaching staff at the front. It meant a lot.”

📈 2023 Stats:
36 catches | 593 yards | 9 TDs

🎯 Recruitment Outlook:
Jensen is also visiting Iowa State, Missouri, and Texas A&M, but the Seminoles — led by Chris Thomsen and Preston Brady — have a clear connection and momentum here. Loftin’s success and FSU’s emerging TE room could tip the scales again.

👉 Full recruiting breakdown here.

🧬 Familiar Name Returning to Tally: Jonah Winston Visiting FSU

A legacy visit is on the books.

3⭐ ATH Jonah Winston, the younger brother of FSU legend Jameis Winston, will be in Tallahassee for the Seminoles’ final spring practice on April 19.

📍 Who He Is:
• Class of 2026 WR out of Hoover (Ala.)
• 5’9”, 155 lbs — ranked the No. 43 WR in the class
• Dual-sport athlete with baseball commitments this spring

📝 Winston has yet to lock in his official visit slate, but FSU will get an early look at the talented playmaker as his recruitment picks up.

👉 More on his visit and recruitment here.

🧲 FSU Still in the Mix for 4⭐ South Carolina DB Commit J’Zavien Currence

Despite being a solid South Carolina commit since October, Top247 safety J’Zavien Currence isn’t shutting the door on other contenders — including Florida State.

🔒 The Latest: • Rankings: No. 1 player in South Carolina | No. 5 CB nationally
• Size & Skill: 6’3”, 205 lbs — praised for length, athleticism, and hybrid potential
• UA Charlotte Standout: Logged an INT and won the majority of his 1v1 reps
• Spring Visits: Back to Columbia on April 18 for South Carolina’s spring game
• FSU OV Scheduled: Currence will officially visit Tallahassee June 6

🗣️ Currence on FSU:
"They just want a chance. I respect Coach Surtain and Coach Norvell. They’re good people."

👉 Full scouting report + quotes here.

And that’s a wrap!

From baseball’s biggest rivalry under the lights, to portal wins and promising freshmen — it’s a good time to be locked into Seminole sports. 💯

As always, we’ve got your updates, insights, and everything FSU — straight to your inbox.

📅 Mark your calendar: Final spring practice is just around the corner (April 19), and this team’s identity is forming fast.

📣 Got thoughts? Feedback? Just want to throw a 🔥 take our way?

Until next time — Go Noles 🍢