🏹 August 29th - The Chief Brief 🏹

FSU teams kick off their fall campaigns

Author

The Chief
August 29, 2025

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

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

Which FSU sport do you think is most underrated nationally right now?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole!

Plenty to cover today, Chief:

⚽ Soccer stays unbeaten — Jordynn Dudley scored early as No. 6 FSU drew 1-1 at Kansas, extending the program’s non-conference streak to 30 straight.

🏐 Volleyball reloads in Jacksonville — Chris Poole’s squad begins 2025 with 14 new faces, led by standout transfers and a record freshman class.

🏃 Cross country hits the trail — FSU opens Friday night in Jacksonville with Bieke Schipperen and Lucas Bouquot leading retooled squads.

🏀 Hoops hosts key recruits — Luke Loucks welcomes four 4-stars, including commit Marcis Ponder, in a pivotal weekend for basketball’s future.

🐘 Sizing up Alabama — Insider Mike Rodak breaks down Ty Simpson’s debut, Bama’s WR firepower, and their biggest weakness heading into Doak.

📊 Confidence check — Position-by-position ratings reveal strengths at linebacker and tight end, but big questions at safety and WR depth.

Start learning AI in 2025

Keeping up with AI is hard – we get it!

That’s why over 1M professionals read Superhuman AI to stay ahead.

  • Get daily AI news, tools, and tutorials

  • Learn new AI skills you can use at work in 3 mins a day

  • Become 10X more productive

⚽ No. 6 FSU Soccer Draws at Kansas ⚽

Florida State’s unbeaten run continues, though it came with the season’s first blemish Thursday night — a 1-1 draw on the road at Kansas.

🔥 Match Recap

  • Junior forward Jordynn Dudley opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a sharp right-footed strike, marking her first goal of 2025 and the 24th of her career.

  • Kansas equalized in the 26th minute, handing FSU its first goal conceded this season.

  • Dudley led the team with three shots, while Wrianna Hudson put two on target. Keeper Addie Todd made three saves.

📊 By the Numbers

  • Shots: Kansas 14 (4 on goal), FSU 8 (4 on goal).

  • Corners: Both teams finished with five.

  • The result extends FSU’s regular-season non-conference unbeaten streak to 30 straight games (27-0-4 since 2019).

📅 What’s Next
The Seminoles (2-0-1) return home to host Stetson on Sept. 4 (7 p.m. ET) for Military Appreciation Night at the Seminole Soccer Complex.

📌 Why It Matters
FSU avoided defeat in a tough road environment, but the Jayhawks showed the Seminoles can be tested outside of Tallahassee. Maintaining the unbeaten streak keeps momentum rolling ahead of a critical September stretch.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Opens 2025 Season in Jacksonville 🏐

Florida State volleyball kicks off the 2025 season this weekend with back-to-back matches at UNF Arena in Jacksonville — against UIC (Friday, 3 p.m.) and UNF (Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN+).

🔥 Season Opener Notes

  • 13th time in the last 14 years FSU opens on the road.

  • Head coach Chris Poole is 33-8 on opening weekends.

  • UIC went 23-10 in 2024 and just missed the NCAA Tournament.

  • UNF finished 13-19 (9-7 ASUN) last season; FSU leads series 4-0.

👀 New Faces & Depth

  • A program-record 14 new players (9 freshmen, 5 transfers) join the roster.

  • Freshman class is the largest in program history.

  • Notable additions:

    • Mio Yamamoto (transfer libero, 2023 Sun Belt Libero of the Year).

    • Lily Nicholson (TCU) and Stevenson (Montana State) to lead the offense at setter.

    • Delaney Ewing (USF), Johanna Sova, and freshman Nenu Kpea provide middle blocker depth.

🌟 Key Returners

  • Kyleene Filimaua: Two-year starter, versatile contributor (173 kills, 267 digs in 2024).

  • Iane Henke: Solid junior season (143 kills, .229 hitting, 74 blocks).

  • Kelsey Perry: Defensive force (109 blocks, 1.07 per set, hit .307).

🧠 New Coaching Spark

  • Assistant coach Jon Wong joins from Rice/Texas, bringing championship-level experience and advanced statistical scouting.

📅 Looking Ahead

  • FSU won’t play at home until Sept. 14, its latest home opener since 2001.

  • Only two home matches before Oct. 10, testing the new roster with extended road trips early.

📌 Why It Matters
With a record-setting influx of new talent and strong transfer additions, this season will test how quickly Coach Poole can mold a retooled roster into a competitive ACC squad.

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

🏃 FSU Cross Country Opens 2025 Season in Jacksonville 🏃

Florida State’s men’s and women’s cross country teams kick off the 2025 season Friday, August 29 at the Florida Intercollegiate Invite at Cecil Field. The women’s 5K starts at 7:00 p.m., followed by the men’s 8K at 7:30 p.m.

🔥 What to Watch

  • Women’s Team: Ranked No. 27 nationally, projected 7th in the ACC.

    • Junior Bieke Schipperen leads the squad after an All-ACC and All-Region season in 2024.

    • She helped FSU qualify for the NCAA Championships with consistent top finishes.

  • Men’s Team: Picked 8th in the South Region and tied for 9th in the ACC.

    • Lucas Bouquot returns after competing at NCAA South Regionals.

    • Kaden Levings comes off a breakout 2024 season that included a win at the GT Invitational and ACC Performer of the Week honors.

🌟 Newcomers to Watch

  • Men: Five freshmen join the roster — Parker Adams, Anoil Borras Torramilians, Isaac Hirshman Chandler, Gino Palazzolo, and Aidan Ryan.

  • Women: Two additions in Rylee Blade and Margaret Bartlow, who could factor into the lineup.

📅 Season Ahead

  • Aug. 29: Florida Intercollegiate Invite (Jacksonville).

  • Oct. 26: FSU hosts the Seminole Invite at Apalachee Regional Park.

📌 Why It Matters
Season openers are about measuring offseason work and testing lineups. With Schipperen anchoring the women’s squad and Bouquot/Levings leading the men, this meet sets the tone for FSU’s push toward ACC and NCAA competition.

🏀 FSU Hoops Hosts Big Recruiting Weekend 🏀

While most eyes are on Saturday’s football showdown at Doak, Florida State men’s basketball is also seizing the moment — hosting four official visitors in Tallahassee this weekend. Each recruit brings a different profile, but all are key pieces for Luke Loucks as he begins building the future of the program.

🔥 Who’s Visiting

  • 4⭐ G Collin Paul
    At 6’7” with a 7’0” wingspan, Paul is a versatile jumbo guard who wants to learn Loucks’ offensive/defensive system and see how he’d fit. He’s an elite passer and handler but must keep developing as a shooter. Schools like Miami, Mississippi State, and Virginia Tech are also in the mix.

  • 4⭐ C Marcis Ponder (FSU Commit)
    Already locked in with the Seminoles, Ponder is focused on soaking in the environment and bonding with teammates. The July 29th commit is a powerful interior presence and centerpiece of Loucks’ first class.

  • 4⭐ F Kevin Thomas
    A 6’7” wing with explosive leaping ability, Thomas is looking to get a feel for FSU’s culture and campus. He’s a strong defender, transition finisher, and improving shooter. He has upcoming visits to Miami (Sept. 27) and Auburn (Oct. 18).

  • 4⭐ G Brandon Bass Jr.
    A top target and son of former LSU standout Brandon Bass, Bass Jr. has developed into a lethal shooter (42% from three, 82% FT). He’s a lefty scorer with length (6’8” wingspan) and athletic upside, though LSU and Purdue are strong contenders.

📌 Why It Matters
For Loucks, this weekend is about more than just football atmosphere — it’s a chance to showcase his culture, system, and vision for FSU basketball. With a foundational commit already on board in Ponder, adding even one more from this group could jumpstart recruiting momentum in a major way.

Don't miss out on this modern-day gold rush - a 108 grams per tonne gold assay* has just been recorded

This company holds 29,000 hectares (over 71,000 acres) in the heart of a modern-day gold rush. Exploration targets have already been identified as a result of locals' artisanal mining (a recent 108 grams per tonne gold* assay has been recorded) and funds have just been raised for an initial 10,000 metre (over 32,000 feet) drill program seeking to unlock the potential for a multi-million ounce gold deposit.

1 gram per tonne is broadly regarded as being commercial

🐘 Bama Insider’s Five Things to Know 🐘

With the season opener at Doak just days away, Bama247’s Mike Rodak offered insight into Alabama’s strengths, weaknesses, and what to expect against Florida State.

🔥 QB Ty Simpson: Unknown but Intriguing

  • Simpson enters as a first-time starter after losing the 2023 QB battle to Jalen Milroe.

  • He’s “sneaky athletic” but more of a passer than Milroe — still, he’ll run if needed.

  • DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb, architects of Washington’s prolific passing game, will lean on his arm.

🚑 Impact of Losing RB Jam Miller

  • Miller was steady and reliable, especially in pass protection.

  • His absence opens the door for Richard Young and Daniel Hill — more explosive but unproven.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

  • Biggest strength: Wide receiver talent led by Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard (transfer from Washington), and Isaiah Horton (Miami).

  • Biggest weakness: Short-yardage and red-zone offense without Milroe, plus questions at TE and OL depth.

🧱 Key to Beating FSU

  • Alabama must control the line of scrimmage, especially running behind LT Kadyn Proctor (360 lbs, NFL prospect) and elite center Parker Brailsford.

  • If they win in the trenches, Simpson won’t face as much pressure in his first start.

🌟 Names to Watch

  • WRs Rico Scott & Lotzeir Brooks — young playmakers who could see deep shots.

  • Safeties Keon Sabb & Bray Hubbard — Wommack’s defense thrives on turnovers, and both will hunt for interceptions.

📌 Why It Matters
Rodak paints Alabama as a team with star receivers, a huge OL, and upside at RB — but thin in red-zone identity and leaning on an unproven QB. For FSU, winning the interior battles and forcing Simpson into tough spots will be key.

📊 Position Group Confidence Ratings 📊

As the season approaches, one analyst broke down FSU’s roster position-by-position, assigning a confidence rating (1–10 scale, with 5 being “average Power 4”). The results highlight promise in some units — and big question marks in others.

🔥 Offense

  • QB (5) → Tommy Castellanos is an average P4 starter with upside as a runner, but depth is shaky.

  • RB (6) → Could be as high as 7–8 if Ousmane Kromah delivers as a freshman and Gavin Sawchuk bounces back.

  • WR (6) → Strong starting trio, but depth is a major concern. One injury could derail the room.

  • TE (7) → A solid group led by Randy Pittman with young talent behind him.

  • OL (5) → Some stability inside, but questions at tackle and depth overall.

💪 Defense

  • IDL (7) → Darrell Jackson Jr. could anchor a disruptive unit, though health is a concern.

  • EDGE (5) → High-risk, high-reward. Starters have potential, but depth looks thin.

  • LB (7) → Surprisingly steady group with Elijah Herring and Justin Cryer leading the way.

  • CB (6) → Jeremiah Wilson is a proven starter, but uncertainty looms opposite him.

  • S (4) → Easily the lowest grade — little experience and lots of unproven upside.

📌 Why It Matters
The spread of scores (from 4 to 7) shows just how volatile this roster could be. Some groups, like linebackers and tight ends, offer stability. Others, like safety and wide receiver depth, could make or break the season.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap for today, Chief. Between soccer extending its streak, volleyball’s youth movement, cross country opening night, basketball’s recruiting push, and the countdown to Alabama — Garnet & Gold fans have no shortage of storylines to track.

Buckle up for a wild weekend in Tallahassee.

Until next time, stay sharp and stay Seminole. 🏹

How'd we do?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.