🏹 August 21st - The Chief Brief 🏹

Senior Bowl Watchlist, Recruiting Heat, and O-Line Under the Lights

Author

The Chief
August 21, 2025

Forwarded this email from a friend? Subscribe at the button below

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

How many football games do you plan on attending this year?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

We’re sending folks to games all year. The good news is all subscribers are entered and the even better news is you can increase your chances.

We’ve got that plus Herb Hand being super candid on the mic, preseason watchlists continue to come out, and golf’s schedule is now out.

⛳ Golf Sets the Stage ⛳
FSU women’s golf announced its 2025-26 schedule, headlined by hosting both the Florida State Match Up and the NCAA Regional — giving the Noles a true home-course edge this spring.

🏀 Toure Trims to Seven 🏀
Four-star 2026 wing Abdou Toure, a top-30 recruit, has included Florida State in his final seven schools, keeping the Noles in the mix for an explosive two-way athlete.

🏈 Five Noles Make Senior Bowl 300 🏈
Roydell Williams, Darrell Jackson, Shyheim Brown, Squirrel White, and Micah Pettus landed on the Senior Bowl 300, spotlighting NFL draft prospects to watch.

🏈 Recruiting Kamron Wilson 🏈
Though committed to Syracuse, Miami edge rusher Kamron Wilson continues to hear from FSU. A fall game visit to Doak could open the door for a flip.

🏈 Freshman Spotlight: Ousmane Kromah 🏈
True freshman RB Ousmane Kromah is turning heads in camp, positioning himself as a potential breakout star in 2025.

🏈 Portal Power: Petitbon & Wilson 🏈
Center Luke Petitbon and cornerback Jerry Wilson were both named to On3’s All-Transfer Portal Team, strengthening FSU’s line and secondary.

💪 O-Line Under the Lights 💪
Coach Herb Hand says leadership and depth are emerging across the line, but Alabama’s front seven will be the ultimate test of this veteran group.

Win FSU tickets all season 🎉

You’re already entered for the next drawing for being a subscriber here.

Boost to 20× / 50× / 100× or lock a Season Pass (20× per game).


Past winners have said:

⛳ Women’s Golf Unveils 2025-26 Schedule ⛳


FSU women’s golf will compete in 13 events this season, highlighted by hosting the 13th Annual Florida State Match Up (March 20-22) and the NCAA Tallahassee Regional Championship (May 11-13) at Seminole Legacy Golf Club.

🔥 Key Notes

  • Eight tournaments on the slate are events the Seminoles have previously won under head coach Amy Bond, including the ACC Championship and NCAA Regional.

  • The fall opens Sept. 8 at the Folds of Honor Collegiate, with proceeds benefiting families of fallen and disabled veterans.

  • FSU returns to high-profile national showcases like the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate (March 2-4, televised on Golf Channel) and the East Lake Cup (Oct. 27-29).

  • Postseason begins April 16 at the ACC Championship, with NCAA play running through May at Omni La Costa in California.

Why It Matters: Hosting both the Florida State Match Up and NCAA Regional in the same spring cements Seminole Legacy as one of the nation’s top collegiate golf venues — and gives FSU a true home-course edge.

🏀 2026 Wing Abdou Toure Includes FSU in Final 7 🏀


Four-star prospect Abdou Toure, a 6’5”, 200-pound wing ranked No. 30 nationally in the 2026 class, has trimmed his recruitment to seven schools: Providence, Arkansas, UConn, Louisville, Oregon, Maryland — and Florida State.

🔥 Scouting Breakdown

  • Elite athlete with explosive leaping ability, rim-running power, and transition dynamism.

  • Versatile defender, averaging 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game on the adidas 3SSB circuit.

  • Showed growth offensively: 35% from three, 85% from the line, plus flashes of passing vision.

  • Described by 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein as “one of the most explosive athletes in the country” with two-way upside.

Why It Matters: FSU lands in the mix for one of the premier wings in the 2026 class — a player whose blend of athleticism, defensive disruption, and developing skill set could thrive in Tallahassee.

🏈 Five Seminoles Named to Senior Bowl 300 🏈


Five Florida State players landed on the prestigious Senior Bowl 300, a list spotlighting the nation’s top draft prospects for the upcoming cycle. The group includes three returners and two high-profile transfers.

🔥 The FSU Five

  • Roydell Williams (RB, RS Sr.) — Alabama transfer entering his second year at FSU; totaled 1,165 rushing yards and 11 TDs in four seasons with the Tide.

  • Darrell Jackson (DL, RS Sr.) — All-ACC honorable mention in 2023 with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks; preseason All-ACC heading into 2025.

  • Shyheim Brown (S, RS Sr.) — Veteran leader with 41 career appearances; led FSU with 70 tackles in 2024 and blocked two field goals.

  • Squirrel White (WR, Sr.) — Tennessee transfer who caught 131 passes for 1,665 yards and six TDs in three seasons with the Vols.

  • Micah Pettus (OL, RS Sr.) — Massive right tackle (6’7”, 349) from Ole Miss with 29 career starts in the SEC.

💡 National Context

  • Senior Bowl 300 trimmed its list from 850 players to spotlight the “best of the best.”

  • ACC placed 53 players on the list, trailing only the SEC (109) and Big Ten (68).

  • FSU’s representation shows its mix of homegrown talent and impact transfers.

Why It Matters: Being on this list doesn’t guarantee a Senior Bowl invite, but it puts these Seminoles on the NFL radar heading into the 2025 season.

FSU Ticket Sweepstakes — You’re in!


• Season Pass = 20× per game (12 games)
• Upgrade any game to 50× or 100×
• Next drawing: Aug 27 @ 3:00 PM ET (Alabama)

🏈 FSU Still Recruiting Syracuse Commit Kamron Wilson 🏈


Florida State once led for Kamron Wilson, a three-star defensive end from Miami Southridge, but the 6’5”, 210-pounder surprised many when he committed to Syracuse this spring.

🔥 Recruitment Snapshot

  • Wilson called FSU his “top school” after a March visit, citing strong relationships with the staff and bond with his mom.

  • Just over a week later, he announced his commitment to Syracuse after a successful visit.

  • He remains “100% locked in” with the Orange but is still hearing from FSU, UCF, and Nebraska.

💨 Where Things Stand

  • FSU’s staff has stayed persistent, led by DL coach Terrance Knighton, pushing to get Wilson on campus for a home game.

  • Wilson expects his first college game this fall will be at Doak Campbell Stadium—either the season opener vs. Alabama or the second game vs. East Texas A&M.

  • He’s also eyeing trips to Syracuse, UCF, and Nebraska.

📉 Ranking & Outlook

  • 247Sports ranks him the No. 67 edge rusher in the nation and No. 83 player in Florida.

  • While committed to Syracuse, Wilson admits he’s still keeping options open: “It’s going to be life-changing… I’ve got to make sure it’s the right fit.”

Why It Matters: FSU isn’t backing down—if they can get Wilson to Tallahassee for a game, the door to a potential flip could reopen.

🏈 Freshmen to Watch in 2025 🏈


Week 0 is here, and that means the college football world gets its first look at true freshmen who could make an immediate impact this season.

🔥 FSU Spotlight: Ousmane Kromah

  • The No. 107 overall prospect and No. 3 running back in the 2025 class.

  • Has impressed since spring and is already carving out first-team reps.

  • While not guaranteed to start Week 1, coaches see him as a bell cow-type weapon who won’t stay off the field for long.

🌍 National Names to Know

  • Bryce Underwood (Michigan QB): The No. 1 overall player, expected to start Day 1.

  • Dakorien Moore (Oregon WR): A top-10 recruit and likely centerpiece of the Ducks’ passing attack.

  • Elijah Griffin (Georgia DL): The No. 3 overall recruit and disruptive force in the Bulldogs’ rotation.

  • DJ Pickett (LSU DB): A 6'5 corner already being compared to Derek Stingley Jr.

Why It Matters: Just like last year’s breakout freshmen Jeremiah Smith and Jordan Seaton, several names on this list will become household stars by season’s end — and FSU’s Kromah could be one of them.

🏈 FSU Lands Two on Preseason All-Portal Team 🏈


On3’s Pete Nakos named Florida State center Luke Petitbon and cornerback Jerry Wilson to his 2025 preseason All-Transfer Portal Team.

🔥 Luke Petitbon

  • Transfer from Wake Forest with two years of starting ACC experience.

  • Graded 89.4 in pass-blocking last season (elite, per PFF).

  • Coaches say he’s already established himself as a team leader.

  • Nakos: “He’ll legitimately be in the mix for the Rimington Trophy.”

🔒 Jerry Wilson

  • Transfer cornerback from Houston with four interceptions in 2024.

  • Previously played in Tony White’s defensive scheme at Syracuse.

  • Nakos: “He’s tracking to be FSU’s top defensive back.”

Why It Matters: While QB Thomas Castellanos has dominated headlines, Petitbon and Wilson are shaping up to be FSU’s two most impactful portal additions — solidifying the interior line and secondary for 2025.

💪 Herb Hand Breaks Down the O-Line 💪


FSU offensive line coach Herb Hand shared his perspective on his unit as the Seminoles gear up for Alabama.

🔥 Leaders & Identity

  • Luke Petitbon, Adrian Medley, Jacob Rizy, and Andre’ Otto identified as key leaders.

  • Centers drive communication, with Petitbon and freshman Sandman Thompson impressing early.

  • Hand wants the line to be known as physical, hard-nosed, and detail-oriented.

🔄 Depth & Development

  • Target is a “top eight” rotation: three tackles, three guards, and two centers ready to play.

  • Younger linemen like Lucas Simmons and Andre’ Otto are improving but still proving consistency.

  • Hand stresses: backups must prepare like starters so they’re game-ready when called.

⚔️ The Alabama Test

  • Hand: “You turn the film on” to see the challenge Alabama’s defensive front poses.

  • FSU’s O-line is battle-tested in camp against its own strong defensive line.

  • The opener will be the true test of cohesion for a unit full of veterans but new to playing together.

Why It Matters: The offensive line is the foundation of FSU’s season. Hand’s group has experience and talent — but Alabama will quickly reveal whether they’re ready to perform under the lights.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap for today’s Brief. Between Abdou Toure’s final seven, five Noles on the Senior Bowl radar, and Herb Hand’s O-line test looming against Alabama, the season is already buzzing. Enjoy the rest of your day, and we’ll be back tomorrow with more stories that keep you one step ahead in Nole Nation.

How'd we do?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.