Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Here’s the docket (heavy on analysis) for you today:

🏆 ACC Honors for FSU Standouts: Ryan Fitzgerald and Shyheim Brown earn recognition after their strong performances in the season opener.

🏈 FSU’s Recruiting Focus: A deep dive into key targets, future stars, and ongoing recruitment efforts for the 2025 class.

🌍 FSU Prepares for Boston College: A detailed analysis of the Eagles and how the Seminoles can bounce back.

🏈 Herbstreit’s Playoff Projections: Despite the setback against Georgia Tech, FSU remains in the playoff conversation.

🏈 Jimbo Fisher Eyes a Return: The former FSU coach is considering a comeback to the sidelines in 2025.

🏆 ACC Honors for FSU Standouts: Fitzgerald and Brown Shine in Opener 🏆

Florida State's season opener against Georgia Tech saw two Seminoles earning ACC Player of the Week honors.

Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald was named ACC Specialist of the Week after nailing field goals of 52 and 59 yards, the latter tying the game at halftime and marking the longest in ACC conference play history. Fitzgerald now ranks ninth in FSU history with 306 career points.

Defensive back Shyheim Brown also stood out, setting a career-high with 13 tackles and adding a 10-yard tackle for loss, marking an impressive start to the season for the Seminoles' defense.

Read more here

🏈 FSU’s Recruiting Focus: Key Targets, Future Stars, and Ongoing Pursuits 🏈

Florida State's recruiting efforts are in full swing, focusing on both securing top talent and flipping key prospects committed elsewhere. Here’s an in-depth look at FSU’s current recruiting landscape:

Key Flip Targets

Tavion Wallace (Four-Star LB, Arkansas Commit)
Wallace’s surprise commitment to Arkansas didn’t deter FSU, which remains heavily invested in flipping the highly-touted linebacker.

With Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman on the hot seat, FSU’s persistence in maintaining a strong relationship with Wallace could pay off as the season progresses. Expect this recruitment to remain active until signing day.

Max Buchanan (Four-Star IOL, Miami Commit)
Buchanan’s decision to commit to Miami was a setback for FSU, but the door isn’t fully closed.

With FSU now needing to bolster its interior line after missing out on another top recruit, Buchanan remains a potential flip target. His planned visit to Tallahassee this season could reignite FSU’s chances.

Shamar Arnoux (Three-Star CB, USC Commit)
Arnoux, a Fort Lauderdale native, has kept FSU in his thoughts despite committing to USC.

With deep family ties to Florida State, Arnoux’s recruitment is far from over. He has expressed intentions to visit FSU for a game this season, leaving room for a possible late flip.

Jalen Wiggins (Four-Star DL, Florida Commit)
The Seminoles are facing an uphill battle to flip Wiggins from Florida, but the staff’s continued communication with him shows they aren’t giving up.

Wiggins’ relationship with FSU’s coaches could become more significant, especially if Florida experiences instability in its coaching staff later this season.

2025 Running Back Recruiting

The running back position remains the last offensive spot without a commitment in FSU’s 2025 class. However, the Seminoles are in strong contention for two highly sought-after backs:

Ousmane Kromah (Four-Star RB, Leesburg, Ga.)
Kromah has been a top priority for FSU, with head coach Mike Norvell leading the charge in his recruitment.

FSU faces stiff competition from Auburn and Georgia, but the Seminoles remain very much in the race. Kromah’s decision is expected soon, and FSU’s longstanding relationship with him could be the deciding factor.

Byron Louis (Four-Star RB, Plantation, Fla.)
Louis, another top target, has narrowed his choices down to FSU and Wisconsin, with Miami seemingly out of the picture. Louis is set to announce his decision on September 21, and FSU is viewed as the favorite, with a solid chance to secure his commitment. His performance on the field, including a recent 150-yard game, underscores why he’s so highly regarded by the Seminoles.

Quarterback Future Secured

Tramell Jones Jr. (2025 QB Commit, Jacksonville, Fla.)
FSU’s future at the quarterback position looks bright with Tramell Jones Jr. leading the 2025 class.

Jones kicked off his senior season with an impressive performance, completing 88.2% of his passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win.

His continued development and strong start to the season suggest he’s on track to be a key player for the Seminoles in the coming years.

Jones has shown marked improvement in his completion percentage over his high school career, a promising sign for his future at FSU.

Additionally, his ability to avoid sacks and maintain pocket presence adds to his potential as a future star in Tallahassee.

Read more here and here and here

🏈 FSU's Season Opener: Defensive Woes, Offensive Shortcomings, and Norvell's Defense of DJ 🏈

Defensive Struggles
Florida State’s highly-touted defense faced significant challenges in their season-opening 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech.

The Seminoles allowed 190 rushing yards and 5.3 yards per carry, a disappointing outcome for a defensive front expected to be a strength.

Key players like Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson struggled, with Georgia Tech’s offense consistently gaining yards before contact—an alarming 2.6 yards per run.

The lack of physicality, missed tackles, and poor gap control were glaring issues that need immediate attention.

• Missed Tackles and Poor Execution
  Florida State’s defense also suffered from missed tackles, with Georgia Tech forcing 14 missed tackles. Linebacker DJ Lundy, who was reliable last season, missed two critical tackles on the final drive, leading to Georgia Tech’s game-winning field goal. This performance was a stark contrast to FSU’s usually solid tackling, raising concerns about consistency and preparation.

• Startling Splits and Player Performance
  Some players, like defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., had a tough time, as FSU allowed an average of 6.3 yards per rush when he was on the field compared to just 2.6 yards when he wasn’t. Similarly, linebacker Omar Graham and safety Davonte Brown were part of a defense that struggled to contain Georgia Tech’s running game, highlighting the need for better player usage and adjustments.

Offensive Shortcomings
Florida State’s offense also underperformed, with DJ Uiagalelei struggling to generate explosive plays.

Despite a promising fourth-quarter drive that tied the game, the Seminoles’ offense managed only 3.1 yards per rush and failed to reach 100 yards on the ground.

The right side of the offensive line was particularly problematic, frequently collapsing under pressure, which limited Uiagalelei’s ability to connect on deeper throws.

• Norvell Defends Uiagalelei
  Despite the offensive struggles, Coach Mike Norvell defended DJ Uiagalelei, emphasizing his strong performance during critical moments in the fourth quarter. Norvell acknowledged the lack of explosive plays and the challenges presented by Georgia Tech’s stacked box but highlighted Uiagalelei’s resilience in executing key fourth-down conversions. Norvell stressed that improving the offense’s explosiveness isn’t solely on Uiagalelei but requires a collective effort from coaches and players alike.

Looking Forward
With a critical game against Boston College next week, FSU must address these issues quickly.

The defense needs to regain its physicality and improve tackling, while the offense must find ways to stretch the field and protect Uiagalelei better.

Norvell’s defense of Uiagalelei suggests confidence in his quarterback, but the entire team will need to elevate their performance to bounce back from this disappointing start.

Read more here and here

🌍 FSU Prepares for Boston College: Analyzing the Opponent and Adjustments Needed 🌍

Boston College Overview
After a challenging start to the season, Florida State is gearing up for their Labor Day game against Boston College.

The Eagles, led by new head coach Bill O’Brien, boast an offense returning 80% of its production, headlined by dual-threat QB Thomas Castellanos and a strong running back trio including former Seminole Treshaun Ward.

Their offensive line is a significant strength, returning three starters from a unit that ranked second in the ACC for rushing last year.

Defensively, Boston College returns seven starters, focusing on a veteran defensive line.

Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku is a standout, earning second-team All-ACC honors last season.

However, the secondary has undergone significant changes, losing both starting corners and bringing in several transfers. This could be an area for FSU to exploit.

Key Players FSU Needs to Feature
FSU’s loss to Georgia Tech exposed some vulnerabilities, particularly in linebacker play and the offensive line. As they prepare to face Boston College, several players should see more action to bolster FSU’s performance:

• Blake Nichelson (LB): Nichelson had a strong showing in limited snaps against Georgia Tech and could be crucial in containing Castellanos. His athleticism may be key to stopping BC’s edge plays.

• Jaylin Lucas (RB): Despite a promising start, Lucas saw limited action. With his explosiveness, he could be a game-changer against a BC defense that might struggle with speed.

• Cam Riley (LB): Riley was FSU’s second-highest graded defender against Georgia Tech. With BC’s run-heavy offense, his length and athleticism could prove essential.

• Landen Thomas (TE): Thomas, a true freshman, offers more athleticism at tight end, which could help FSU’s offense stretch the field and create mismatches.

• Kam Davis (RB): The freshman showed flashes of potential in his blocking and running, despite a costly drop. More reps could see him emerge as a consistent playmaker.

• KJ Sampson (DL): With the defensive line struggling, Sampson’s high motor and effort could provide the spark FSU needs up front.

• Andre’ Otto (OL): The offensive line rotation was inconsistent, and Otto might be the solution to solidify the guard position and improve FSU’s run game.

• Juice Cryer (LB): Cryer didn’t see action against Georgia Tech but has the potential to add consistency to the linebacker corps.

• Lawayne McCoy & Elijah Moore (WRs): These freshmen receivers could add a new dimension to FSU’s passing game, providing fresh targets for DJ Uiagalelei.

• Sione Lolohea (DE): Lolohea was FSU’s highest-graded defender against Georgia Tech in limited snaps. Given BC’s strong rushing attack, his run defense could be vital.

Looking Ahead
As FSU prepares to face Boston College, the focus will be on adjustments and getting key players more involved.

The Seminoles have the talent to rebound from their opening loss, but execution and smart player utilization will be crucial.

Boston College presents a balanced offense and a solid defensive front, making it a challenging but crucial game for FSU to get back on track.

Read more here and here

🏈 Herbstreit’s Playoff Projections & FSU’s Path Forward 🏈

One weekend into the college football season, Kirk Herbstreit’s playoff predictions have already faced a shakeup with Florida State's unexpected loss to Georgia Tech.

Despite this setback, Herbstreit still includes FSU as a playoff contender, albeit as a No. 10 seed.

Herbstreit predicts a 12-team playoff, with FSU needing to run the table in the ACC to maintain its chances.

This journey won’t be easy, especially with the Seminoles now likely needing to win out the regular season and face tough competition in the ACC Championship.

Herbstreit’s Projected Playoff Bracket:

1. No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Oregon: Oregon, powered by a strong defense and quarterback Dillon Gabriel, is expected to outmatch Boise State, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Utah.

2. No. 11 Michigan at No. 6 Texas: A rematch of a regular-season battle, with Texas favored to advance to face Clemson in the quarterfinals.

3. No. 10 Florida State at No. 7 Missouri: FSU, despite the early loss, is expected to secure an at-large playoff spot. However, they must likely win out the season and perform well in the ACC Championship to solidify their position.

4. No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Penn State: A close matchup, with Penn State favored to advance to face top-seeded Georgia.

Quarterfinal Predictions:

• No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Utah: Herbstreit favors Oregon to advance, relying on their strong defense and quarterback play.

• No. 8 Penn State vs. No. 1 Georgia: A tough draw for Penn State, with Georgia expected to advance.

• No. 6 Texas vs. No. 3 Clemson: Clemson, the ACC champion in Herbstreit’s projection, faces a stern test against Texas but is favored to advance.

• No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 2 Ohio State: Ohio State, bolstered by its revamped roster, is expected to handle Missouri and advance to the semifinals.

Semifinal & Championship Predictions:

• No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 1 Georgia: A marquee matchup where Herbstreit predicts Oregon to upset Georgia, advancing to the national championship.

• No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 2 Ohio State: A classic playoff matchup, with Ohio State favored to advance to the final against Oregon.

• No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 2 Ohio State (National Championship): Herbstreit picks Oregon to win it all, completing a remarkable playoff run by defeating Boise State, Utah, Georgia, and Ohio State.

FSU’s Path Forward: FSU’s playoff hopes hinge on running the table in the ACC and performing strongly in the conference championship.

With several nationally-ranked teams in the ACC, the Seminoles have a challenging road ahead but remain in the playoff conversation.

Their next steps will be crucial in determining if they can capitalize on Herbstreit’s projections and secure a spot in the expanded playoff.

Read more here

🏈 Jimbo Fisher Eyes Return to Coaching in 2025 🏈

After a brief hiatus, Jimbo Fisher is eager to return to college football coaching, potentially as soon as 2025.

Speaking on ESPN Radio, the former Florida State and Texas A&M head coach expressed his restlessness and desire to lead a team again.

Fisher, who won a national championship at FSU and later signed a historic contract with Texas A&M, is taking time to evaluate potential opportunities while staying engaged by watching game film.

Fisher’s tenure at Texas A&M ended after a disappointing 2023 season, despite recruiting the top-rated class in 2022.

Known for his recruiting prowess and strategic acumen, Fisher’s next move will be highly anticipated in the college football world.

Key Highlights:

• Fisher led FSU to a national championship in 2013 and an 83-23 record over eight years.

• His tenure at Texas A&M was marked by inconsistency, leading to his departure after six seasons.

• Despite setbacks, Fisher remains a respected figure in college football and is ready for a fresh challenge.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

As we close out this edition, it's clear that Florida State faces crucial challenges ahead. With a renewed focus on key players and strategic adjustments, the Seminoles have the potential to bounce back stronger.

As the season progresses, every game will be critical in shaping FSU's playoff aspirations and the future of the program.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we follow the journey of the Seminoles.

Go Noles!