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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Humpday, Seminole!

There’s a lot of chatter going on now at the national level now that the AP Poll is out. It’s hard to decipher how much true with the Noles having closed practices but we will tell you everything we see from everywhere.

🏈 Future Stars Flocking to Doak for Bama 🏈
The Alabama opener doubles as a recruiting super-event, with five-stars like edge David Jacobs and QB Kavian Bryant headlining a loaded visitor list across the 2027 and 2028 classes. FSU’s shot to impress years before signing day is here.

🏈 Swedish Edge Rusher Sets FSU Official 🏈
Europe’s Gustaf Henriks Ras — a 6’4”, 235-pound former hockey player turned pass rusher — locks in an official visit for the Miami game. Ranked the No. 69 edge in his class, he’s a global target in FSU’s hunt for edge help.

🏈 Mississippi DT Rising — FSU in the Mix 🏈
Sam Lejeune’s blend of size and agility has made him a 2027 defensive priority. Mississippi State is pushing hardest, but FSU, Tennessee, and Notre Dame are very much in the race.

🏀 Big Jump for FSU Commit Marcis Ponder 🏀
Four-star center Marcis Ponder rockets 33 spots in the Rivals150 to No. 38. The 6’10” defensive anchor will be in Tallahassee for Bama weekend and is set to help recruit other elite basketball targets.

🚪 Conrad Hussey Exits FSU 🚪
Former four-star safety Conrad Hussey is no longer with the team. His departure trims secondary depth just weeks before Alabama comes to town.

⚠️ Castellanos’ Camp Struggles, Comments Stoke ‘Bama ⚠️
QB Tommy Castellanos has been “incredibly inconsistent” in camp and hasn’t shied from bold comments about Alabama — comments that could give the Tide bulletin board material.

🌟 Freshmen Forcing Their Way Into the Rotation 🌟
Eight true freshmen, led by WR Jayvan Boggs and DT Kevin Wynn, are pushing into the two-deep ahead of Alabama. This group is earning snaps now, not later.

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🏈 Future Stars Flocking to Doak for Bama 🏈

The season opener against Alabama won’t just draw fans — it’s shaping up to be a recruiting showcase across multiple future classes.

⭐ Headliners in the 2027 Class

• David Jacobs — 5⭐ edge from Roswell, Ga.; lists FSU among leaders alongside Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Says the entire staff is recruiting him and wants to see them in action on game day.

• Lawrence Britt — Top-100 WR; wowed by visits to Florida, FSU, and Miami, noting hands-on coaching as a standout.

• Kavian Bryant — Rivals’ No. 1 QB; likes FSU’s offense for his style of play but will also consider Texas and other powers.

🌟 Next Wave (2028 Class)

• Man Robinson — IMG Academy athlete from Louisville with offers from FSU, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Why It Matters: The opener is doubling as a recruiting super-event, giving FSU a chance to impress elite prospects years before signing day.
👉 Read more from Rivals

🏈 Swedish Edge Rusher Sets FSU Official 🏈

Florida State will roll out the garnet carpet for one of Europe’s top pass-rushing prospects this fall.

🌍 International Talent on the Radar

• Gustaf Henriks Ras — 6’4”, 235-pound edge from RIG Academy in Sweden; ranked No. 69 edge in his class by 247Sports.

• Official visit set for the Miami game in early October.

• Holds offers from Boise State, Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and more.

🏒 From Ice to Iron

• Multi-sport athlete who grew up playing hockey before focusing on football.

• FSU’s interest ramped up after Mike Norvell personally reached out, with DL coach Terrance Knighton extending the offer in late July.

Why It Matters: FSU’s search for help on the edge has gone global — and a strong visit could land them a unique talent with a rare athletic background.
👉 Full story at Noles247

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🏈 Mississippi DT Rising — FSU in the Mix 🏈

Poplarville’s long-awaited state title in 2024 put plenty of eyes on 2027 DL Sam Lejeune, and the 6’3”, 275-pound disruptor has only boosted his stock since.

💪 Built for the Big Stage

• Moves with the quickness of a 240-pounder despite his size.

• Starred in camps this summer, drawing serious recruiting buzz.

• Anchors a defense aiming for back-to-back state championships.

🎯 Recruitment Outlook

• Mississippi State in heavy pursuit — weekly contact, multiple visits planned.

• Florida State, Tennessee, and Notre Dame also standing out.

• Wants to grow relationships into junior/senior seasons.

Why It Matters: FSU’s defensive board for 2027 features elite national names — and Lejeune’s blend of size, agility, and production could make him a priority target.
👉 Full story here

🏀 Big Jump for FSU Commit Marcis Ponder 🏀

The latest Rivals150 update brought major news for Florida State hoops — 2026 four-star C Marcis Ponder skyrocketed from No. 71 to No. 38 nationally, making him the eighth-biggest riser in the class.

📈 Why the Leap?

• 6’10”, 275-pound presence with a defense-first mindset.

• Praised by coach Luke Loucks for effort plays and defensive work, not just highlights.

• First basketball-only commit for Loucks in the 2026 cycle (FSU also landed two-sport star Jasen Lopez).

🎯 What’s Next

• Ponder will take his official visit for the FSU–Alabama football game.

• Plans to help recruit elite targets like Colin Paul, Brandon Bass Jr., and Kevin Thomas.

Why It Matters: Ponder’s rise boosts FSU’s recruiting momentum at a key moment for Loucks’ tenure.
👉 Full story here

🚪 Conrad Hussey Exits FSU 🚪

Former four-star safety Conrad Hussey is no longer with the Seminoles, a school spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

📉 From Breakout to Departure

• Impressed as a true freshman in 2023 with splash plays, including a highlight hit vs. Virginia Tech.

• Expected to step up in 2024 but was benched amid inconsistent play.

• Recently sidelined with a hand injury and reportedly out of favor with the coaching staff.

📜 Recruiting Backstory

• No. 112 prospect nationally in the 2023 cycle.

• Dramatic recruitment battle won over Penn State and Miami.

Why It Matters: Hussey’s early exit trims depth in the secondary just weeks before Alabama visits Doak.
👉 More on Hussey’s departure here

⚠️ Castellanos’ Camp Struggles, Comments Stoke ‘Bama 🔥

Reports from fall camp suggest QB Tommy Castellanos has been inconsistent as FSU gears up for Alabama.

📉 Practice Performance Concerns

• CBS Sports reports he’s been “incredibly inconsistent” and taking too many sacks in scrimmages.

• Source says staff has “not been wowed” so far.

🗣 Bulletin Board Material

• Twice declared Alabama “a shell of its former self” and said, “They don’t have Nick Saban to save them.”

• Gus Malzahn advised him to dial it back… but he doubled down days later.

📊 The Matchup Context

• Alabama returns 14 starters from a 9–4 team and added a top-3 recruiting class.

• FSU returns just 6 starters from a 2–10 squad but brought in the No. 6 transfer haul.

• FanDuel: FSU is a 13.5-point underdog.

Why It Matters: FSU needs Castellanos steady and locked in — not gifting Alabama extra motivation.
👉 Full CBS report here

🌟 Freshmen Forcing Their Way Into the Rotation 🌟

Two weeks into camp, FSU coaches are finding it hard to keep several true freshmen off the field ahead of the Alabama opener.

🔥 Offensive Impact

• WR Jayvan Boggs — Locked in as one of FSU’s top three receivers, likely a Week 1 starter.

• RB Ousmane Kromah — New arrival already pushing for RB2 reps behind experienced transfers.

• TE Chase Loftin — 6-6 target with speed; expected to see snaps despite deep TE room.

💪 Defensive Standouts

• DT Kevin Wynn — 334-pound force drawing rave reviews; could be Darrell Jackson’s top backup.

• DEs Darryll & Mandrell Desir — High-motor twins impressing DL coaches, earning rotation looks.

• DB Shamar “Dudie” Arnoux — Made a highlight-reel hit in scrimmage; pushing for snaps in veteran secondary.

• LB Ethan Pritchard — Former safety with speed; likely a special teams factor early.

Why It Matters: Alabama week is coming fast, and these freshmen aren’t just depth pieces — they could be difference-makers from Day 1.
👉 Full breakdown here

And that’s a wrap!

The countdown to Alabama isn’t just about game prep — it’s about making a statement. On the field, that means QB consistency and an infusion of fearless freshmen. Off it, it’s hosting five-star visitors, rising prospects, and even an edge rusher from Sweden. Whether you’re watching the scoreboard or the recruiting boards, this opener could set the tone for FSU’s season — and seasons to come.