In partnership with

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

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

A big week in Tallahassee as FSU gears up for fall with fresh coaching hires, top-tier matchups, and bold recruiting moves.

⚽ FSU Soccer on Center Stage ⚽
Five national TV appearances (including games vs. No. 1 UNC and No. 2 Notre Dame) spotlight the reigning champs as they begin title defense.

🏀 Noles vs. Houston in December Hoops Clash 🏀
FSU returns to Houston for the first time since 1974 in a marquee matchup that pits Coach Loucks against a national powerhouse.

⛳ Golf Staff Adds All-American Firepower ⛳
Brandon Smith joins as assistant for both golf programs, bringing pro experience and elite mentorship to the links.

🔥 Scrimmage Sparks Roster Movement 🔥
Identity Week in Jacksonville brings praise for Jaden Jones, Ousmane Kromah, and Elijah Moore, while questions linger about OL depth and defensive discipline.

📈 FSU Named Top 10 Summer Recruiting Winner 📈
Rivals recognizes the Seminoles’ red-hot offseason, headlined by five-star DB Chauncey Kennon and a flurry of four-star commitments across the board.

Let’s get into it 👇

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Join for free today!

⚽ FSU Soccer Set for Five National TV Appearances ⚽

Florida State women’s soccer will be featured on national television five times this fall — all on the ACC Network — highlighting another high-profile slate for the defending champs.

📺 Key Broadcast Matchups:

• Aug. 14 vs. Florida (Home) — Season Opener

• Sept. 17 at No. 1 UNC — ACC Championship rematch

• Oct. 9 at No. 2 Notre Dame — Top 3 showdown

• Oct. 23 at No. 15 Virginia

• Oct. 30 vs. No. 10 Wake Forest — Senior Night finale

🏆 The ACC Championship game will air Nov. 9 on ESPNU at noon.

📌 Why It Matters:
Four of the five televised games are top-15 showdowns, including both against the nation’s top two teams — setting the stage for FSU to prove once again they’re the queens of college soccer.

🗓️ Bonus: All other FSU home games + non-televised ACC road matches will stream live on ACCNX.

👉 Full TV schedule + kickoff times here.

🏀 FSU vs. Houston Set for December Showdown 🏀

Florida State will face national powerhouse Houston in the Houston Hoops Showdown on December 6 at the Toyota Center — their first meeting in over 50 years.

🗓️ Key Details:

• Matchup: FSU vs. Houston

• Date: Dec. 6, 2025

• Venue: Toyota Center, Houston

• Last Meeting: Jan. 5, 1974 (Houston won 79–74)

🎟️ Ticket Info:

• Presale: Sept. 16

• General On-Sale: Sept. 17

• Signup for presale: toyotacenter.com/hoops-showdown

🎤 Coach Loucks Says:
“We aspire to reach the championship-caliber standard that Coach Sampson and Houston have achieved. This matchup will test our core principles.”

📌 Why It Matters:
It’s a marquee test early in Loucks’ tenure, giving the ‘Noles a measuring stick as they prepare for the grind of ACC play.

👉 Full schedule + Loucks’ full comments here.

⛳ FSU Hires Brandon Smith as New Assistant Golf Coach ⛳

Florida State has tapped former All-American Brandon Smith as a dual assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s golf programs.

🏌️‍♂️ Background:

• 2018 All-American at Texas A&M

• Led the Aggies to back-to-back NCAA top-five finishes (2018–2019)

• Played on the All Pro Tour and caddied on the Korn Ferry Tour

• School-record 63 at the 2021 Legends Classic

🗣️ FSU Leadership Speaks:

• Trey Jones: “Brandon checked all the boxes... recruiter, mentor, and elite-level developer.”

• Amy Bond: “He brings a wealth of experience and insight.”

🎓 Off the Course:

• SEC Academic Honor Roll

• SEC Community Service Team (2018, 2019)

• Degree in Sport Management from Texas A&M

📌 Why It Matters:
Smith’s elite playing career and recent pro-level insight bring a fresh edge to both Seminole golf programs ahead of their season openers at the Folds of Honor Collegiate in September.

👉 Full background and season kickoff dates here.

Ready To Build Healthier Habits?

Noom blends cutting-edge technology with expert coaching to drive lasting behavior change and sustainable weight loss. Take a 5-minute quiz to unlock a personalized weight loss plan tailored to your needs, helping you manage your health and build habits that stick.

🔥 Scrimmage Sparks Standouts and Shake-Ups in Identity Week 🔥

The Seminoles wrapped up their first preseason scrimmage and hit the road to Jacksonville for “Identity Week,” where Florida State’s coaching staff is looking to see who steps up—and who steps aside.

🧩 Defensive Clarity Emerges
Tony White wasn’t shy about naming names. Among the defensive players who stood out:

• DE Jaden Jones – “Arguably the best defender on the field”

• LBs AJ Cottrill, Omar Graham, Justin Cryer, Elijah Herring

• Freshmen DTs Kevin Wynn, Mandrell & Darryll Desir

• Safeties Earl Little Jr., Edwin Joseph, KJ Kirkland, Ashlynd Barker

• CBs Charles Lester, Cai Bates, Shamar Arnoux

White didn’t sugarcoat his message:

His approach signals a more aggressive philosophy when it comes to playing time—something that was noticeably lacking during last season’s downward spiral.

🏈 Jaden Jones: No Longer a Surprise
The praise for Jones is building. He’s reportedly made plays in space, shown versatility across the line, and earned plaudits from Norvell and White alike. If he keeps this up, he may carve out a key rotational role behind Jayson Jenkins—or expose bigger issues if he’s forced into a starter's load too early.

👀 Kevin Wynn's "Country Strength"
Freshman DT Kevin Wynn is gaining traction in the two-deep. His ability to hold the point of attack has turned heads—and he’s done it against older players. White and others are excited about his future.

🎯 Quarterback Outlook

• Tommy Castellanos: Solid week. Ball security praised, but deep-ball accuracy still shaky.

• Kevin Sperry: Getting more reps with Brock Glenn out. Coaches value his quick processing and mental maturity.

💥 Kromah: Freshman RB Already Impressing
Norvell was giddy discussing Ousmane Kromah, highlighting his blitz pickup with a smirk and calling him “violent” in protection. The freshman is working his way into a legit role, potentially as RB2 behind steady veteran Roydell Williams.

🏃‍♂️ By Committee in the Backfield?
FSU’s loaded running back room might not have a true bell cow this year. Jaylin Lucas, Kam Davis, and Gavin Sawchuk each look set for defined roles, while Kromah and Williams may split the bulk of touches.

📉 Offensive Line: Starting Five Solid, Depth a Concern
The first-team OL has held its own—especially in run blocking—but pass protection issues and depth beyond the starters remain question marks. Norvell expects key reserve Jacob Rizy to return soon, which could help.

📈 Emerging Playmakers on Offense

• WR Elijah Moore: Called “the most impressive” by Norvell early in camp. His 6’4” frame and athleticism have made him a real weapon.

• WR Jayvan Boggs: Polished and reliable. Continues to rep with the 1s.

• TE Amaree Williams: Physically imposing and holding his added weight well.

• TE Randy Pittman: The “alpha dog” of the tight end room.

🛡️ Secondary in Flux

• KJ Kirkland has emerged as a starter at safety over veteran Shyheim Brown.

• CB Cai Bates is separating as the top backup at corner. Norvell noted his physicality and consistency.

• Shamar Arnoux is making mental strides and earning praise.

🚩 Discipline Watch
Sources noted the defense racked up too many penalties in the scrimmage. That’ll be a point of emphasis heading into the next phase of camp.

Read more here and here and here

📈 Rivals Names FSU a Top 10 Summer Recruiting Winner 📈

After a brutal 2–10 finish in 2024, Florida State flipped the script in a massive way this offseason—and the recruiting world took notice.

Rivals named FSU one of the nation’s 10 biggest recruiting winners of the summer, thanks to a flurry of high-impact commitments:

• ⭐ 12 total pledges in June

• ⭐ Five-star DB Chauncey Kennon in July

• ⭐ Key additions across all position groups

💼 Malzahn and Co. Make Their Presence Felt
The new-look coaching staff, led by Gus Malzahn and former UCF assistants Herb Hand (OL) and Tim Harris Jr. (WR), has completely rejuvenated the program’s recruiting footprint.

• QB Jaden O’Neal (4⭐)

• WR Devin Carter, Brandon Bennett, Jasen Lopez (all 4⭐)

• TE Xavier Tiller (4⭐)

• DL Earnest Rankins (4⭐)

• DBs Jay Timmons (legacy, 4⭐) & Chauncey Kennon (5⭐)

• OL Da’Ron Parks (4⭐)

🔥 Harris Jr. has been especially impactful, quickly reestablishing FSU’s presence in WR recruiting after a down year.

📊 From Crisis to Contender
Just months ago, the Seminoles were clawing to finish near the top 20 in recruiting. Now, they're generating national buzz again—even after the worst season in modern program history.

📆 What’s Next?
Recruiting momentum is great—but it only carries so far. To keep the top talent committed and raise the ceiling even higher, Florida State needs to deliver on the field this fall. If they do, a top-10 class finish is well within reach.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

Whether it’s Jaden Jones wrecking scrimmages or Chauncey Kennon flipping the recruiting buzz — the ‘Noles are finding their edge again.

Stay sharp, stay tuned, and stay Seminole.

✌️ — Chief