Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Saturday, Seminole!

Here’s the final docket without a game on Saturday:

• 🏌️‍♀️ Lottie Woad shines as she clinches the McCormack Medal, marking her as the world's top amateur female golfer.

• 📺 FSU Soccer gears up for six national TV appearances, continuing their dominance.

• 🏃‍♂️ FSU Cross Country previews an exciting season with key meets, including three at home.

• 🏀 Seminoles in the NBA Summer League: Alumni make waves in Las Vegas.

• 🏈 As preseason wraps, FSU Football sharpens its focus on Georgia Tech.

• ESPN’s FPI projections paint a promising picture for the 2024 season.

🏌️‍♀️ Lottie Woad Awarded McCormack Medal as World’s Leading Amateur Golfer 🏆

Florida State’s Lottie Woad, currently ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, has been honored with the prestigious Mark H. McCormack Medal. This award recognizes her as the world’s leading amateur female golfer.

Key Highlights:

• Historical Achievement: First English woman to win the McCormack Medal.

• Exemptions Earned: Automatic entry into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open and AIG Women’s Open.

• Impressive Year: Winner of the 2024 Augusta National Amateur, ACC Golfer of the Year, and multiple All-American honors.

• Upcoming Events: Curtis Cup for Great Britain and Ireland, and Folds of Honor Intercollegiate with FSU.

Woad's success underscores her relentless effort and dedication, as recognized by the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

Read more here

📺 FSU Soccer to Make Six National TV Appearances in 2024 📺

The No. 1 Florida State soccer team will be featured on national television six times during the 2024 regular season, adding to their impressive tally of 62 national TV appearances over the past six years.

Key Matchups:

• ACC Network Appearances:

  • Season opener vs. Rice on August 22.

  • Conference rematch vs. Clemson on September 26.

  • Rivalry game vs. Miami on Halloween night.

• SEC Network:

  • Faceoff against Florida in Gainesville on September 8.

• ESPNU:

  • Home match against Virginia on October 17.

FSU continues its dominance with a 16-game winning streak on opening day, recently defeating South Florida 5-0.

Read more here

🏃‍♂️ FSU Cross Country 2024 Season Preview 🏃‍♀️

The Florida State cross country teams are set for an exciting 2024 season with eight meets, including three at Apalachee Regional Park.

Key Dates:

• Aug 30: UCF Invitational in Orlando, FL

• Sept 6: Hoka Nights of Thunder Fest (Home Opener)

• Sept 27: Nuttycombe Invite in Madison, WI / FSU-Pre-Regional Meet

• Oct 11: FSU XC Invite (Home Meet)

• Oct 19: Wisconsin Pre-National Meet

Championship Season:

• Nov 1: ACC Championship hosted by NC State

• Nov 15: NCAA South Region Championships in Tallahassee

• Nov 23: NCAA Championships in Wisconsin

FSU head coach Matt Kane emphasized the importance of the home meets and the opportunity to compete on national courses, stating, "Qualifying for the national championship runs through Tallahassee."

Read more here

🏀 Seminoles Shine in NBA Summer League 🏀

During the 20th anniversary of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Florida State graduate Jason March led the Memphis Grizzlies to the championship game, narrowly losing to the Miami Heat 120-118 in overtime.

Jason March’s Journey:

• Former Seminoles team manager under Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.

• Head coach of the Memphis Hustle since 2019 with over 100 G-League victories.

• Recently promoted to the Grizzlies' coaching staff.

Seminoles in Action:

• John Butler Jr. (Washington Wizards): Strong performance with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

• Trent Forrest (Los Angeles Lakers): Averaged 19.2 minutes in two games.

• Darin Green Jr. (San Antonio Spurs): Contributed 12 points in a win over Toronto.

• Malik Osborne (Phoenix Suns): Played in three games, averaging 1.7 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Read more here

🏈 Florida State Prepares for Georgia Tech as Preseason Camp Concludes 🏈

With preseason camp wrapping up, FSU is turning its focus to Georgia Tech as they prepare for their upcoming game in Ireland. Below is an in-depth look at the offensive side after observing 16 of the 18 preseason practices.

Quarterback:

• DJ Uiagalelei: As the presumed starter since his arrival, Uiagalelei has demonstrated a strong grasp of the offense. He possesses a powerful arm, capable of making diverse throws, and adds dual-threat capability. While his overall consistency has been solid, the real test will come when he faces live game situations, particularly in making quick decisions under pressure. His rushing ability is expected to be utilized strategically, similar to how FSU used Jordan Travis last season.

• Brock Glenn & Luke Kromenhoek: Both young quarterbacks showed potential throughout camp, with Glenn starting strong but facing some inconsistencies as camp progressed. Kromenhoek displayed flashes of brilliance, particularly in deep throws, though he also had typical freshman learning moments. The focus for these two will be on consistency and learning the intricacies of the offense.

Running Back:

• The RB room is one of FSU’s strengths, offering depth, experience, and versatility. Lawrance Toafili is a standout, known for his ability to earn tough yards, explosiveness on the edges, and reliability as a pass-catcher. Caziah Holmes is in top physical shape, combining size and explosiveness, while Roydell Williams is expected to be a key player, bringing a mix of power and agility.

• Jaylin Lucas offers a different dynamic with his smaller stature but exceptional speed and elusiveness, making him a threat in both the run game and special teams. The younger backs, including Samuel Singleton Jr., Micahi Danzy, and Kam Davis, have shown promise during camp, providing FSU with a bright future in this position group.

Wide Receiver:

• The WR room remains an area of concern, with veterans like Kentron Poitier, Deuce Spann, and Darion Williamson needing to step up. Ja'Khi Douglas has shown flashes but must become more consistent to be considered a reliable option. The trio of Poitier, Spann, and Williamson has had inconsistent performances in previous seasons, and their development is crucial for FSU’s passing game.

• Malik Benson, a senior transfer from Alabama, is expected to be DJU’s primary target, bringing speed, consistent hands, and a competitive edge to the group. The younger receivers, including Hykeem Williams, Jalen Brown, Elijah Moore, and Lawayne McCoy, have shown potential during camp but need to continue developing to contribute meaningfully during the season.

Tight End:

• Kyle Morlock emerges as the top TE on the roster, showcasing significant growth in both receiving and blocking throughout camp. With his increased experience and physical development, he is expected to be a key player in the offense.

• Jackson West and Brian Courtney provide additional depth, with West known for his blocking abilities and Courtney having an impressive camp as a receiver. Freshmen Landen Thomas and Amaree Williams also show promise, with Williams particularly standing out with his athleticism and catching ability.

Offensive Line:

• FSU’s offensive line is anchored by experienced veterans like Darius Washington, Robert Scott, and Jeremiah Byers. These players have extensive starting experience, providing stability and leadership on the line. Washington had an exceptional camp, showing the best form of his career, while Byers and Scott add depth and reliability.

• The younger linemen, including Jaylen Early, Lucas Simmons, and Andre' Otto, are developing well and could see playing time as the season progresses. The interior line is led by Maurice Smith at center, with Richie Leonard and others providing depth at guard. The depth and experience on the line should contribute to a strong running game.

Overall Offensive Outlook:

• Strengths: The run game is expected to be a significant strength for FSU, with a deep and experienced offensive line paired with a versatile running back group. DJU’s dual-threat capability should complement this well, especially in situational plays.

• Concerns: The passing game remains a work in progress, with questions around the consistency of the wide receiver group outside of Benson. For FSU to compete at a high level, playmakers in the passing game must emerge, and the offense will need to find balance to maximize its potential.

• Expectations: While the offense may face some early-season challenges, there is optimism that the unit will grow and improve as the season progresses, potentially becoming a formidable force by year’s end.

Read more here

🏈 ESPN’s FPI Win Projections for FSU’s 2024 Season 🏈

According to ESPN's FPI, Florida State’s 2024 season looks promising, with win probabilities largely favoring the Seminoles in their matchups.

FSU kicks off against Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland, with a strong 79.7% win probability. Other notable games include an 84.5% chance of victory against Boston College and 61% against Clemson.

The biggest challenge is projected against Notre Dame, where FSU has a 29.5% chance of winning. The season closes with a 66.1% chance against Florida.

• Georgia Tech: 79.7% win probability

• Boston College: 84.5% win probability

• Memphis: 87.9% win probability

• Cal: 81.3% win probability

• SMU: 58.2% win probability

• Clemson: 61.0% win probability

• Duke: 75.3% win probability

• Miami: 58.1% win probability

• North Carolina: 77.6% win probability

• Notre Dame: 29.5% win probability

• Charleston Southern: 99.0% win probability

• Florida: 66.1% win probability

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

As we look ahead to the upcoming season, Florida State athletes continue to set the standard in both collegiate and professional arenas.

From Lottie Woad’s impressive achievements in golf to the football team's final preparations for the season opener in Ireland, the Seminoles are ready to make their mark.

Stay tuned for more updates as we cheer on our teams to victory!

Go Noles!