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- 🏹 August 8th - The Chief Brief 🏹
🏹 August 8th - The Chief Brief 🏹
FSU Stars Shine, Coaches Push for More, and Recruiting Battles Heat Up
The Chief
August 08, 2025
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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
TGIF Seminole!
Identity Week is underway in Jacksonville and Fall season previews and TV slates are continuing to be announced.
⚽ Star Duo Gets Preseason ACC Honors ⚽
Jordynn Dudley and Heather Gilchrist earn spots on the 2025 Preseason All-ACC Team, with FSU ranked third in the conference poll.
🏐 Noles Volleyball Goes National 🏐
Four ESPN/ACC Network broadcasts ahead, including matchups vs. No. 3 Pitt, No. 4 Louisville, and rival Miami.
🏈 “We’re Not PBU University” 🏈
Mike Norvell turns up the heat on turnover production, plus injury returns, DL versatility, and a freshman WR to watch.
🏈 Malzahn on the Clock 🏈
FSU’s new OC works to mesh 11 new starters before Alabama, with standouts emerging from the first full-squad scrimmage.
🏈 FSU in the Hunt for 2027 TE Trae Proctor 🏈
Four Florida programs chase the 6'6" Southridge standout; the Seminoles remain in close contact.
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⚽ Dudley & Gilchrist Earn Preseason All-ACC Honors ⚽
The Seminoles have been selected third in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll as Jordynn Dudley and Heather Gilchrist are named to the 2025 Preseason All-ACC Team.
More 📰➡️
— FSU Soccer (@FSUSoccer)
10:24 PM • Aug 7, 2025
Two key pillars of Florida State’s reigning national championship squad are getting early nods from the league. Junior forward Jordynn Dudley and senior defender Heather Gilchrist were named to the 2025 Preseason All-ACC Team on Thursday—both earning the recognition for the second straight year.
In the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Seminoles were slotted third with 225 points and four first-place votes. North Carolina (246, 10) and Notre Dame (229, 2) took the top two spots, with Duke (208) rounding out the top four—a ranking identical to the national preseason top-25.
📌 Player Spotlights:
Dudley (Milton, Ga.): 2024 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, Second Team All-American, and All-ACC First Team. Led FSU in assists (11), tied for second in goals (9), and was second in points (29) despite playing just 15 matches. Twice recorded two-goal games, including a pair in the NCAA Tournament.
Gilchrist (Boulder, Colo.): 2024 All-America Fourth Team, All-ACC Third Team. Anchored the back line for seven shutouts and logged over 1,800 minutes. Scored her first career goal vs. Pitt and added an assist vs. UNF.
Why It Matters: Dudley’s playmaking and Gilchrist’s defensive leadership give FSU one of the most balanced star duos in the ACC—key for navigating a schedule loaded with top-15 matchups.
🏟 Up Next: FSU hosts Alabama in an exhibition Friday, Aug. 8 (6 p.m.), then opens the season vs. Florida on Thursday, Aug. 14 (7 p.m.) at the Seminole Soccer Complex.
🏐 Noles Volleyball Set for Four National TV Games 🏐
Coming to a TV near you📺
— FSU Volleyball (@FSU_Volleyball)
2:31 PM • Aug 7, 2025
Florida State volleyball will get plenty of screen time this fall, with four national broadcasts locked in across ESPN platforms.
📺 On the Schedule:
Sept. 10 – Showdown at the Net: at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
Oct. 12 – vs. No. 3 Pitt, 3 p.m. (ESPN) – Only the third ESPN home broadcast in program history (Louisville 2022, Stanford 2023).
Nov. 5 – at Miami (ACC Network) – FSU has won six straight over the Canes, tying the longest streak in series history.
Nov. 13 – at No. 4 Louisville (ACC Network)
Why It Matters: With two top-5 opponents on national TV and a rivalry match against Miami, FSU has prime opportunities to showcase its program on the biggest stages.
🏟 Up Next: Season starts with the Garnet and Gold Scrimmage on Aug. 22 (6 p.m.) at Tully Gym.
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🏈 Norvell: “We’re Not PBU University” 🏈
Jeremiah Wilson all smiles, as usual.
Charles Lester walking next to him, he apparently did well in Tuesday’s scrimmage.
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone)
2:00 PM • Aug 7, 2025
Turnovers — or the lack of them — remain front and center for FSU’s defense. A year after ranking 132nd out of 134 teams with just six takeaways, the Seminoles have been close in camp… but close doesn’t change games.
This week brought more near-misses — a tipped pass turning into a BJ Gibson touchdown in Tuesday’s scrimmage, and more “almost” plays Thursday in Jacksonville.
“Plenty of people are happy with a PBU,” Mike Norvell said. “We’re not PBU University, we’re DBU University. You gotta go finish the play.”
The Mission: New DC Tony White wants a physical, run-stopping unit whose zone schemes give DBs and LBs chances to read QBs and jump routes. Veterans like Earl Little Jr. are making ball-hunting a daily emphasis, knowing FSU’s offense can capitalize quickly.
Why It Matters: Turnovers are one of the biggest predictors of winning. Getting in position is hard — but finishing those plays is what flips games.
🔙 Jenkins Back in Pads
DE Jayson Jenkins returned to action faster than expected, earning praise from DL coach Terrence Knighton: “I don’t think anybody has ever come back this fast… he’s busting his butt.”
🔀 McCray’s Versatility Shines
Transfer DL Deante McCray is impressing with his ability to play multiple spots up front — from nose tackle to end. The Jacksonville native embraces the unpredictability: “I love it… you keep everybody guessing.”
👀 Freshman Watch
WR Tae’shaun Gelsey has flashed potential after working back from injury. Norvell says Sunday’s scrimmage will be big for him. WR Squirrel White also made a notable downfield grab Thursday.
🏈 Malzahn Racing the Clock to Get Offense Game-Ready 🏈
Malzahn says Kromah will be able to be successful in this offense.
"First of all, his skillset is extremely high and it was one of the most impressive reps from an individual. ... We've had freshmen that have been able to be successful in our offense and we think he's capable of
— Warchant.com (@Warchant)
4:41 PM • Aug 6, 2025
FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn knows the countdown is on — just 23 days until the season opener against Alabama. And with 11 new starters to break in, the urgency is high.
Tuesday’s scrimmage was the first time Malzahn has seen his full offense together in game-like action. Spring reps were limited with key injuries to tackles Gunnar Hansen and Micah Pettus and wideouts Duce Robinson and Squirrel White. Several offensive weapons, including RBs Gavin Sawchuk and Ousmane Kromah, didn’t arrive until after spring.
“It’s about execution, not just plays,” Malzahn said. “The next six practices are very, very important before we turn the page to Alabama.”
Standouts from Scrimmage:
QB Tommy Castellanos – Showed poise and playmaking in his first full-speed reps with the group.
WR Duce Robinson – Made a highlight deep-ball grab over CB Jeremiah Wilson; Malzahn says his 50/50 balls are “more like 70/30.”
TE Randy Pittman – Big playmaker and already fluent in Malzahn’s system from their UCF days.
RB Ousmane Kromah – Freshman impressed with both running ability and a crushing blitz pick-up that drew praise from Malzahn and Norvell.
Why It Matters: The starting O-line — all experienced transfers — is still gelling under a new system. Communication, double-team technique, and cohesion will be critical against an Alabama defense stacked with NFL talent.
🏟 Next Steps: FSU continues “Identity Week” in Jacksonville, with a second preseason scrimmage set for Sunday before full game plan install for the Tide.
🏈 FSU Battling for 2027 TE Trae Proctor 🏈
WOWWW!! Extremely blessed to receive my 11th offer from Florida State University. God is great! #blessed🙏🏾✝️ #LLDevin#LLKeon#DOIT4KEON
— Trae “Tank” Proctor (@TraeproctorTE)
11:55 PM • Apr 17, 2025
South Florida 2027 TE Trae Proctor is drawing heavy in-state attention — and FSU is firmly in the mix. The 6'6", 215-lb Southridge standout says Florida, FSU, USF, and Miami are all pushing, with the Gators currently leading.
“FSU and USF have been showing a lot of love,” Proctor said. “I’m getting closer with FSU coaches… I like it.”
Recruitment Snapshot:
Florida – Daily or near-daily contact; building the deepest current relationship.
FSU – Weekly talks with Mike Norvell and TE coach Chris Thomsen.
USF – HC Alex Golesh personally reaches out every week or two.
Miami – Offered in May; TE recruiting coordinator Matt Caruso stays in touch via Twitter.
Proctor recently transferred from Norland to Southridge to reunite with QB James Perrone, his former 7-on-7 teammate. The move comes with a weight- and muscle-gain plan and a team environment he says is “full of energy” and support.
Why It Matters: At 6'6" with an early college-ready frame, Proctor is the type of long-term recruiting battle FSU can’t afford to lose if they want to own Florida’s future TE pipeline.
🏟 Up Next: Southridge opens Aug. 21 vs. Columbus.
And that’s a wrap!
From preseason honors to national TV spotlights, the Seminoles are stacking storylines across every sport. Football camp intensity is peaking, volleyball and soccer are ready for the big stage, and the recruiting trail stays hot. August is moving fast — Alabama’s getting closer by the day. Stay locked in, Noles fans.
Go Noles,
The Chief Brief Team
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