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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Sunday, Seminole! Here’s what’s happening as we head into Scrimmage #2:

🔥 Leadership Rising — Insider buzz from closed practices points to vocal veterans and high-energy newcomers stepping into key roles ahead of today’s scrimmage.

📈 Jacksonville Heat Check — Identity Week brought big plays, physicality, and rising stars on both sides of the ball as the Noles wrapped up three days at UNF.

🎯 QB Target in Town — Five-star 2027 QB Kavian Bryant will be in the house for the Alabama opener — a visit that could be pivotal for his recruitment.

🏟 Noles in the NFL — Former Seminoles made their mark in Week 1 of the NFL preseason, from rookies flashing potential to vets holding steady.

🛡 Versatile Force — Transfer DL Deante McCray is ready to play anywhere on the defensive front — and he’s “locked in” for 2025.

Let’s dive in 👇️ 

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🤫 Sources Say: Leadership Emerging, RB Room Heating Up 🤫 

With Scrimmage 2 set for today, Warchant’s insiders are sharing what they’ve heard from FSU’s closed practices — and the buzz is building.

🔥 Leaders Stepping Up

• Defense: Rover Earl Little is making plays and directing traffic. Nebraska transfer James Williams and LB Stefon Thompson bring valuable system experience.

• Offense: C Luke Petitbon remains steady, Harvard transfer Jacob Rizy is back from injury and vocal, and OG Richie Leonard draws praise for maturity. QB Tommy Castellanos brought hype-man energy in short-yardage drills, firing up both sides.

💨 RB Room on the Rise
Freshman Ousmane Kromah (“beast… going to be a problem”) keeps turning heads. Oklahoma transfer Gavin Sawchuk looks more comfortable, and Jaylin Lucas has flashed speed and shiftiness both at RB and as a returner.

📉 WR Depth Watch
Top trio Duce Robinson, Squirrel White, and Jayvan Boggs are producing, but depth questions linger. Freshman Tae’Shaun Gelsey has been making contested grabs and could climb the chart.

🧠 The Malzahn Effect
OC Gus Malzahn is running the offense with an in-the-moment, detail-first style — diagnosing and correcting before plays finish — allowing Mike Norvell to float across position groups.

🔒 Secondary Standouts
CB Ja’Bril Rawls is pushing for a starting spot opposite Jeremiah Wilson, with freshmen Charles Lester, Cai Bates, and Shamar Arnoux also flashing. Safeties K.J. Kirkland and Edwin Joseph are trending as starters alongside Little.

Why It Matters: From improved leadership to explosive newcomers, the arrow is pointing up — but WR depth and secondary rotations remain storylines to watch as Alabama prep looms.

👉️ Full insider report via Warchant

📈 Identity Week Standouts in Jacksonville 📈 

With Sunday’s scrimmage ahead, Noles247’s insiders shared what they’ve heard from FSU’s physical, high-intensity practices at UNF — a stretch the staff calls Identity Week.

🔥 Offensive Highlights

• WR Squirrel White looked like his 2023 self, breaking big plays and battling for punt return duties with Jaylin Lucas, who also flashed after-the-catch explosiveness.

• TE Randy Pittman continues to shine in multiple alignments and looks like an offensive centerpiece.

• Freshman RB Ousmane Kromah scored multiple red-zone TDs and made defenders miss in space.

• WR Jayvan Boggs – multiple TDs in team drills, contested grab over CB Ja’Bril Rawls, “automatic” hands.

• Freshman WR Tae’Shaun Gelsey impressed as both a blocker and playmaker, including a red-zone TD from Jaylen King.

• QB Tommy Castellanos worked with the 1s; Kevin Sperry and Jaylen King split reps with Glenn still out.

🔒 Defensive Notes

• CB Jeremiah Wilson and CB Ja’Bril Rawls were top playmakers; Rawls is emerging as CB2 with Quindarrius Jones limited.

• CB Jamari Howard snagged an INT; freshmen Shamar Arnoux and Charles Lester saw 2nd-team work.

• DE Jaden Jones “bullied” an OT in pass-rush drills; DL Jayson Jenkins continued progressing in live drills.

• DL Deante McCray is earning reps as an interior run-stopper; DT Kevin Wynn expected to play early and often.

• S Ashlynd Barker expanded his role after praise from DC Tony White; Shyheim Brown remains with the 2s.

📈 Other Notes

• WR BJ Gibson made contested catches before leaving Friday with a minor knock.

• WR Camdon Frier’s elite speed stood out after injury struggles.

• OL rebounded Friday after a rough Thursday, opening lanes in team drills.

• DE James Williams was limited as a precaution.

Why It Matters: Playmakers are emerging on both sides in Jacksonville, but the takeaway is clear — the energy, competition, and physicality are ramping up as Alabama prep inches closer.

👉️ Full insider report via Noles247

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🎯 5⭐ QB Kavian Bryant Visiting for Bama Opener 🎯

FSU’s season opener vs. Alabama just got bigger — 2027 five-star QB Kavian Bryant will be in the stands on Aug. 30.

Bryant, from Palestine (TX) Westwood, is the No. 2 QB and No. 35 overall player in the 247Sports Composite, and is considered one of FSU’s top priorities for the class. The Seminoles offered him in January and hosted him in February for Junior Day, where OC Gus Malzahn pitched him as a Cam Newton-type fit in the offense.

📊 Sophomore Season:

• 2,442 passing yards, 34 TDs, 3 INTs (82.2% completions)

• 709 rushing yards, 11 TDs (12.2 YPC)

• Also a basketball star, averaging 30.4 PPG last spring

Scouting Report: Dual-sport standout with elite playmaking ability in both football and basketball. Adept at extending plays, accurate on the move, and still developing velocity and polish. High ceiling due to athleticism and multi-sport background.

Why It Matters: Bryant is viewed as one of the most important recruits in FSU’s 2027 class. With Texas also in the mix, a statement win over Alabama could be pivotal in his decision — which could come before year’s end.

👉️ See what makes Bryant a program-changing QB target

🏟 Noles in the NFL: Preseason Week 1 Highlights 🏟

Friday’s preseason action saw several former Seminoles making their mark across the league.

🦅 Atlanta Falcons – RB Jashaun Corbin: 1 carry for 1 yard, fumble recovery, plus a tackle and assisted tackle on special teams.

🐶 Cleveland Browns

K Dustin Hopkins: 1/1 FG (23 yards), 3/4 XP.

🐾 Carolina Panthers 

K Ryan Fitzgerald: 1/1 FG (32 yards).

🗽 New England Patriots

TE Jaheim Bell: 1 catch for 18 yards.
DT Joshua Farmer: 3 tackles (2 solo).
LB Cam Riley: 3 tackles (1 solo), TFL, special teams stop.

🏛 Washington Commanders

OL Bobby Hart: 1 tackle after an INT.
DT Eddie Goldman: start, in on a tackle, QB hurry.
CB Fentrell Cypress II: on injured reserve.

👉️ Full breakdown of FSU performances

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🛡 McCray’s Versatility a Boost for FSU D-Line 🛡

Redshirt junior Deante McCray looks set to be one of FSU’s most versatile defensive weapons in 2025. The 6’4”, 287-pound transfer from Western Kentucky has 19 career starts and experience all over the defensive front — and he’s ready to use it.

📊 Career Snapshot:

• 29 career games

• 59 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks in 2024 (mostly at DE)

Why It Matters: In Tony White’s 3-3-5, McCray’s ability to switch from end to nose to 3-technique gives the defense a “keep-you-guessing” weapon alongside anchor Darrell Jackson. DL coach Terrance Knighton calls him “a grinder… very smart… can do anything.”

Locked In: Practicing this week just miles from his Jacksonville home, McCray told family not to show up so he could stay focused: “I’m locked in.”

👉️ Read more on McCray’s role and mindset

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap on this edition of The Chief Brief. From scrimmage prep in Jacksonville to the recruiting spotlight on a five-star QB, the energy around the Seminoles is undeniable. With Alabama on deck, every rep, every visit, and every snap is starting to matter just a little bit more. Buckle up — this ride’s just getting started.

Go Noles,
The Chief Brief Team