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TGIF Seminole!

Here’s the docket for you today:

⛳️ Metraux Takes the Lead at Olympic Golf Championship 🥇
Morgane Metraux dominates the second round with a record-breaking performance, claiming the top spot in the Olympic Women’s Golf Championship.

🇺🇸 Four Seminoles Selected for U.S. U-20 Women's World Cup Squad 🌍
FSU’s Jordynn Dudley, Heather Gilchrist, Giana Riley, and Taylor Suarez will represent the U.S. in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

🏈 Uiagalelei Named to Davey O'Brien Watch List 🌟
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei continues to gain recognition, landing on the prestigious Davey O’Brien Watch List.

🏈 FSU's Continued Pursuit of Top Linebacker Prospects 🌟
FSU remains in the hunt for top linebacker recruits Tavion Wallace and Tarvos Alford, making a strong push to flip these commitments.

🔥 FSU Battles LSU for Top Safety Bryce Fitzgerald's Commitment 🏈
With a decision looming, FSU and LSU are locked in a battle to secure Bryce Fitzgerald’s commitment.

🌟 Former FSU WR Vandrevius Jacobs Shines in South Carolina Fall Camp 🏈
Vandrevius Jacobs is making waves in South Carolina, quickly pushing for a starting spot.

🔮 Crystal Ball Favors Georgia Tech for Five-Star OT Josh Petty 🏈
With Josh Petty’s commitment approaching, Georgia Tech is currently the favorite, but FSU remains in the race.

🏈 FSU’s Intense Jacksonville Practices: Heat, Physicality, and Standout Performances 🌴
FSU wrapped up a grueling week of practice in Jacksonville with standout performances across the board, especially in the running game and defensive backfield.

⛳️ Metraux Takes the Lead at Olympic Golf Championship 🥇

Record-Breaking Round
Morgane Metraux, representing Switzerland, shot an impressive 8-under 66 in the second round of the Olympic Women's Golf Championship. Her front-nine score of 28, featuring two eagles and four birdies, set a new Olympic record, placing her in the lead with 36 holes remaining.

Key Moments
Starting the day in third place, Metraux quickly ascended the leaderboard with consistent, confident play. She attributes her success to calmness and favorable conditions, making the most of the near-perfect weather.

Read more here

🇺🇸 Four Seminoles Selected for U.S. U-20 Women's World Cup Squad 🌍

Seminole Representation
Jordynn Dudley, Heather Gilchrist, Giana Riley, and Taylor Suarez have been named to the 21-player roster for the U.S. U-20 Women's National Team for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia. Florida State leads all collegiate programs with four players on the squad.

Player Highlights

• Dudley: 9 appearances, 3 goals, including a key goal in the 3-1 victory over Canada.

• Suarez: Promoted from U-17s, scored her first U-20 goal against Canada.

• Riley: Scored her first U-20 goal in a win over South Korea.

• Gilchrist: Key defender, contributing to multiple clean sheets.

Tournament Outlook
The U.S. aims to win their first title since 2012, starting against reigning champions Spain on September 1.

Read more here

🏈 Uiagalelei Named to Davey O'Brien Watch List 🌟

Third Preseason Honor
FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has been named to the Davey O'Brien Watch List, marking his third preseason watch list honor after being recognized by the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year.

Career Highlights
With 40 career starts, Uiagalelei has accumulated 9,451 yards of total offense, including 57 passing touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns. He previously played at Oregon State and Clemson, achieving notable success at both programs.

FSU Legacy
Florida State has previously won the Davey O'Brien Award three times with Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke, and Jameis Winston.

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🏈 FSU's Continued Pursuit of Top Linebacker Prospects 🌟

Tavion Wallace: Arkansas Commit
FSU remains in close contact with four-star LB Tavion Wallace, despite his commitment to Arkansas. Coach Norvell and the entire FSU staff are relentless in their pursuit, continuing to show strong interest.

Wallace appreciates how FSU treats him with respect and consistency, noting that the entire staff is involved in recruiting him. He may visit FSU during the season, keeping the door open for a potential flip.

Tarvos Alford: Ohio State Pledge
Four-star LB Tarvos Alford, committed to Ohio State, is another top priority for FSU. He praises Coach Norvell as "the realest head coach" he’s met, which keeps the Seminoles in strong contention.

Alford values the deep connections with Coach Shannon, who shares ties to his hometown. Alford plans to visit Tallahassee for an official visit next month, where he’ll evaluate how FSU uses its linebackers and their approach to playing freshmen.

Read more here and here

🔥 FSU Battles LSU for Top Safety Bryce Fitzgerald's Commitment 🏈

Decision Looms
Top247 safety Bryce Fitzgerald, a standout in the class of 2025, is nearing his commitment, set for August 17. While he has over 20 offers, Florida State and LSU have emerged as the front-runners, with both programs making him a top priority. Miami and Florida remain in contention, but FSU and LSU appear to be the teams to beat.

Scouting Report
Fitzgerald is known for his range, awareness, and ability to disrupt plays, making him a coveted prospect at the Power Five level.

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🌟 Former FSU WR Vandrevius Jacobs Shines in South Carolina Fall Camp 🏈

Rapid Adjustment
Vandrevius Jacobs, a transfer from Florida State, has quickly become a standout in South Carolina’s fall practice. Initially expected to take time to adjust, Jacobs is now pushing for a starting spot in the season opener against Old Dominion. His versatility and big-play potential have impressed the coaching staff.

Fit with the Gamecocks
Jacobs brings speed and the ability to stretch the field, making him a valuable asset in Dowell Loggains' offense. He could emerge as a key target for QB LaNorriss Sellers.

Read more here

🔮 Crystal Ball Favors Georgia Tech for Five-Star OT Josh Petty 🏈

Recruitment Update
Five-star offensive tackle Josh Petty is set to announce his college choice on August 12, with his finalists including Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Florida State, Tennessee, and Stanford.

According to 247Sports Crystal Ball, Georgia Tech is currently the favorite to land Petty, thanks to the strong recruiting efforts of OL coach Geep Wade and head coach Brent Key. However, FSU remains in contention, continuing to push hard in the final days before his decision.

Read more here

🏈 FSU’s Intense Jacksonville Practices: Heat, Physicality, and Standout Performances 🌴

Physicality and Adversity
FSU’s final day in Jacksonville was everything Coach Norvell wanted: hot, humid, and intense. The Seminoles endured a grueling practice filled with physicality, particularly during red-zone and goal-line drills. Norvell emphasized adversity, using the challenging conditions to test his team’s resilience.

Offensive Highlights
Running backs Roydell Williams, Jaylin Lucas, and Samuel Singleton each had standout performances, breaking off long runs and showcasing their versatility. Singleton, in particular, impressed with multiple touchdown runs, including a 70-80 yard sprint that left defenders trailing. His growth in patience and tempo from last year was evident as he repeatedly found gaps to exploit.

Defensive Dominance
The defense had plenty to celebrate as well. Edwin Joseph was the star in the secondary, breaking up four key passes, including a near interception and a crucial pass deflection in the end zone. His competitiveness and athleticism were on full display, earning praise from both Coach Norvell and his teammates. Safety Shyheim Brown delivered a highlight-worthy hit on Malik Benson, stopping him in his tracks after a catch.

The defensive line was equally impressive, with KJ Sampson, Daniel Lyons, and Grady Kelly all making significant stops near the goal line. The linebackers also had a strong showing, with Timir Hickman-Collins making back-to-back tackles for loss, showcasing his potential as a freshman.

Quarterback Play
Quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Luke Kromenhoek both had moments of brilliance, with Uiagalelei connecting on multiple touchdown passes, including a perfectly placed throw to Malik Benson in the back of the end zone. Kromenhoek’s accuracy on the run was particularly noteworthy, as he completed back-to-back touchdown passes during 7-on-7 drills.

Team Dynamics and Chemistry
The practice was marked by constant back-and-forth trash talk and high energy, reflecting the competitive spirit of the team. Even when the offense found success, it was hard-earned against a talented and physical defense. Norvell praised the offensive line for their blocking, which created opportunities for the running backs to shine.

The camaraderie was evident as players celebrated each other's successes, like when Andre' Otto sprinted downfield to congratulate Jaylin Lucas after a long touchdown run, despite being visibly exhausted from the day's work.

Looking Ahead
With Friday off and a second scrimmage at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, the Seminoles will have another opportunity to showcase their growth and cohesion as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Read more here and here and here

And that’s a wrap!

From record-breaking performances in the Olympic golf course to intense preseason practices in Jacksonville, our Seminoles are proving their mettle across the board.

Stay tuned as the action heats up with upcoming scrimmages and key recruiting decisions. As always, keep that Seminole spirit high—great things are on the horizon! 🌟🔴⚪️

See you in the next edition!

Go Noles!