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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

The Noles OC and DC are making adjustments after the 2nd scrimmage and all energy is going towards getting better every day until Alabama comes into town.

🛡️ Bednarik Watch List Honor 🛡️
Darrell Jackson Jr. earns another preseason accolade — a Bednarik Award nod — as he readies to anchor the DL in the opener vs. Alabama.

🔍 Scrimmage 2 Scoop 🔍
The offense gains the upper hand with a healthy OL, emerging WR depth, and more buzz around Ousmane Kromah.

🛠️ Malzahn’s To-Do List 🛠️
FSU’s OC outlines priorities in the trenches, position battles, and building a hard-nosed identity before Week 1.

🛡️ White’s Defensive Callout 🛡️
The DC praises key standouts but warns some defenders need to “step their ass up” before Alabama.

📊 AP Poll Placement 📊
Noles open at 40th in preseason voting with four ranked opponents ahead — including No. 8 Alabama on opening night.

👑 Blueblood Status Secured 👑
A revamped, stats-backed “blueblood” list keeps FSU among the sport’s 12 most elite programs.

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🛡️ Darrell Jackson Jr. Earns Bednarik Watch List Nod 🛡️

Redshirt senior DL Darrell Jackson Jr. has been named to the Bednarik Award Watch List, adding to his preseason All-ACC honor from last month.

🔥 Veteran Anchor

• Started all 12 games in 2024, logging 32 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.

• Set career highs vs. Miami last season with 2.0 sacks, 2.0 TFL, and a forced fumble — then followed it with a season-high five tackles vs. UNC.

• Career totals: 38 games, 84 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks.

📅 Season Opener Spotlight
Jackson will lead FSU’s DL into the Aug. 30 season opener against Alabama at a newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium — a stage set for statement performances.

Why It Matters: Jackson’s size, experience, and disruptive ability make him a cornerstone in FSU’s defensive plans under new DL coach Terrance Knighton.

👉 See Jackson’s full career numbers and what makes him a Bednarik contender.

🔍 Inside Scoop: Offense Gains Edge in Scrimmage 2 🔍

FSU’s second preseason scrimmage tilted toward the offense, with improved chemistry up front sparking momentum as the opener against Alabama draws closer.

🔥 Offensive Highlights

• Starting OL healthy and gelling — boosting both the pass and run game.

• QB Tommy Castellanos impressing, even without full contact in practice; athleticism drawing internal praise.

• RB Ousmane Kromah continues to flash daily; some in the building believe he’s the offense’s highest-ceiling starter.

• Freshman WR Jayvan Boggs emerging as a likely starter alongside Duce Robinson and Squirrel White (who was dinged up slightly).

• Depth WRs Elijah Moore, BJ Gibson, and Micahi Danzy all making plays, with Danzy’s limited reps producing highlight moments.

💪 Defensive Notes

• DL leaders: Darrell Jackson and James Williams consistently disruptive.

• Freshman Desir twins earning rotation roles despite recent dip in practice production; Tony White praises their physicality and effort.

• LB group led by Elijah Herring, with Graham, Cryer, and Thompson in heavy rotation; Nichelson pushing to show more.

• CB starters trending: Jeremiah Wilson and Ja’Bril Rawls.

• Safety trio in place: Earl Little, KJ Kirkland, and Edwin Joseph.

Why It Matters: Offensive consistency and healthy trenches are changing the camp dynamic — a promising sign before facing Alabama’s front.

👉 Full practice-by-practice scoop from team insiders, including position battles and injury updates.

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🛠️ Malzahn Maps Out Offensive To-Do List 🛠️

FSU OC Gus Malzahn broke down priorities after Sunday’s second scrimmage — with the opener vs. Alabama now under three weeks away. His focus: solidifying the starting OL, building dependable depth, and forging a physical offensive identity.

💪 Trench Time

• Starting OL of Hansen, Pettus, Medley, Leonard, and Petitbon finally intact after injuries in spring; communication and chemistry improving daily.

• Four of the five are transfers, making reps together crucial for August 30th.

📈 Depth Development

• QB: Freshman Kevin Sperry benefiting from Brock Glenn’s injury; pushing for QB2 behind Castellanos.

• RB: Ousmane Kromah drawing daily praise for playmaking and fast learning curve.

• WR: Top trio of Robinson, White, and Boggs is set; competition ongoing for depth roles, with Micahi Danzy flashing big-play ability and Elijah Moore staying consistent.

• TE: Amaree Williams impressing in a crowded, experienced group that includes Pittman, Thomas, Douglas, and Loftin.

🏹 Offensive Identity

• Goal: downhill run game + sideline-to-sideline pressure + deep-ball threat.

• Malzahn says the unit is “gradually getting there” but still needs sharper execution on “the little things.”

Why It Matters: With the OL settling in and young playmakers emerging, FSU’s offense is starting to look like Malzahn’s vision — but the clock is ticking to be game-ready for Alabama.

👉 Full breakdown of Malzahn’s media session, including his detailed thoughts on every position group.

🛡️ White Calls Out Defense, Praises Standouts 🛡️

Defensive coordinator Tony White didn’t sugarcoat his assessment after FSU’s second scrimmage — saying some defenders need to “step their ass up,” while others are earning coaches’ trust with consistent effort and physical play.

🔥 In the Trenches

• Freshman twins Mandrell & Darryll Desir lauded for energy and disruption despite growing pains.

• Darrell Jackson “getting comfortable” in multiple DL roles.

• EDGE Jaden Jones and James Williams both singled out, with Williams’ run defense drawing praise.

• Freshman DT Kevin Wynn showing progress after trimming weight.

🎯 Linebacker Leaders

• Top group of Elijah Herring, Stefon Thompson, Omar Graham, and Justin Cryer “playing at a high level.”

• Blake Nichelson “starting to catch on,” while Gavin Holman and Ethan Pritchard flash potential.

🔒 Secondary Notes

• Earl Little Jr. steady as expected.

• Ashlynd Barker pushing KJ Kirkland at safety.

• Freshman Shamar “Dudie” Arnoux showing major maturity gains since spring.

• Jeremiah Wilson making plays and rarely out of position.

Why It Matters: White’s trust list is growing — but he made it clear more defenders need to match the standard before Alabama.

👉 See the full list of players White says have “earned their seat on the bus” and who still needs to prove it.

📊 Noles Outside AP Top 25 📊

Florida State landed 40th in the 2025 AP Preseason Poll voting, missing the Top 25 but earning spots on two ballots — No. 19 from Pete Yanity and No. 25 from Jon Wilner.

🏆 Ranked Road Ahead

• Four ranked opponents await: No. 8 Alabama (Aug. 30), No. 4 Clemson, No. 10 Miami, and No. 15 Florida.

• Pitt also received votes, ranking 46th overall.

Why It Matters: FSU opens against a Top-10 team and faces one of the toughest schedules in the country — plenty of chances to climb the rankings fast.

👉 See the full AP Top 25 and where every FSU opponent landed.

👑 FSU Makes Updated Blueblood List 👑

A more objective formula for college football “blueblood” status is out — and FSU makes the cut. The list factors win percentage (top 15, min. 750 games) and at least one national title in two of three modern eras.

📏 Criteria That Counted

• Win % rank: No. 12 all-time (.664)

• Titles: 1993 (AP, Coaches), 1999 (BCS), 2013 (BCS)

• One of just 12 programs to qualify under the new rules.

Why It Matters: Despite no “early poll” title, FSU’s modern dominance keeps them alongside Alabama, Michigan, and other elite company.

👉 See the full list of 12 blueblood programs and who just missed the cut.

And that’s a wrap!

And that’s a wrap for today’s Chief Brief — where preseason buzz meets blueblood bragging rights. We’re just 18 days from kickoff at a packed, renovated Doak, and the storylines are stacking up: a Bednarik contender on the DL, an offense finding its groove, a defense raising the bar, and a schedule that leaves no room for coasting.

Strap in — the next two weeks are about sharpening the sword.

See you tomorrow, Chief.