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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

FSU’s offseason is shifting into high gear and today’s edition is loaded. We’ve got elite award recognition for one of the program’s brightest stars, major staff hires on both sides of the ball, important updates on roster movement, and fresh clarity on the future of the Seminoles’ offensive leadership. Plus, a data-driven dive into FSU’s linebacker room as the 2025 season officially closes.

Here’s what you need to know:

⚽ Jordynn Dudley Makes History (Again)
FSU’s superstar forward is officially a Hermann Trophy finalist — the eighth in school history — after powering the Noles to their fifth national title.

🏈 Two Key Coaching Hires Take Shape
FSU is expected to bring back Brandon Harris as cornerbacks coach and add rising star Kam Martin to lead the running backs room. Both moves provide immediate recruiting and player-development upside.

⚾ Roster Movement Continues
BJ Gibson departs FSU Baseball in search of more live reps; three football players — RB Jaylin Lucas, DL Jamorie Flagg, and DB Edwin Joseph — are expected to enter the portal.

🏛️ Front-Office Shakeups Brewing
General Manager Darrick Yray has emerged as a top target for UCLA, putting FSU’s personnel department on alert.

🧠 Is Gus Malzahn Staying? The Picture Gets Clearer
After weeks of uncertainty, internal signals now point toward Malzahn returning as FSU’s offensive coordinator in 2026.

📊 Linebacker Room Breakdown
A full-season evaluation shows heavy reliance on a core group, flashes of disruption, and major coverage issues that must be fixed heading into 2026.

Strap in — it’s a big one.

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🏆 Jordynn Dudley Named Hermann Trophy Finalist 🏆

Florida State star forward Jordynn Dudley has been named one of three finalists for the Hermann Trophy: given annually to the top player in college soccer.

🔥 A Historic FSU Career Continues

• Dudley becomes FSU’s eighth-ever finalist, and the first since Onyi Ochegini won the award in 2023.

• She is the first player in program history to be a semifinalist in each of her first three seasons.

💨 Elite 2025 Season

• Led FSU to its fifth national championship, her second in three years.

• First Team All-American, National Player of the Year Finalist (Top Drawer Soccer).

• All-ACC First Team and All-Region First Team for the third straight year.

⚡ Numbers That Define a Finalist

• 14 assists (No. 5 nationally)

• 36 points (No. 17 nationally)

• 11 goals, including 3 game-winners

• 88 shots and 32 shots on goal

• Ranked No. 6 nationally in assists per game (0.64)

• Recorded three braces and five 3+ point performances.

🧱 Consistency All Season Long

• Posted at least one point in 13 straight regular-season games.

• Two-goal, one-assist performance in the NCAA Quarterfinal.

🎉 What’s Next

The Hermann Trophy winner will be announced January 9, 2026 at the MAC banquet in St. Louis.

👉 Read more from the source here

🏈 FSU Expected to Hire Brandon Harris as New Cornerbacks Coach 🏈

Florida State has moved quickly to fill its cornerbacks vacancy and is set to bring back a familiar face with deep South Florida ties and rising national acclaim.

🔥 Harris Returns to Tallahassee

• Expected hire to replace Patrick Surtain Sr., per multiple reports (ESPN, Noles247, CBS).

• Served as an analyst on Mike Norvell’s inaugural 2020 FSU staff.

• Reunites with his brother, FSU WR coach & passing game coordinator Tim Harris Jr.

• Selected this month to the prestigious AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, marking him as one of the sport’s fastest-rising assistants.

💨 Coaching Résumé & On-Field Impact

• 2025: UCF Cornerbacks Coach — helped elevate the Knights to No. 25 nationally in pass defense and No. 3 in the Big 12.

• Key developer of breakout DBs including Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson; multiple players earned All-Big 12 honors.

• 2022–24: FAU Co-DC/CBs Coach.

• Before coaching:
  – 2nd-round NFL Draft pick (2011)
  – Six-year NFL career (Texans, Titans, Dolphins)
  – Star corner at Miami (2008–10)

🧠 What FSU Is Getting
Coaches and players at UCF praised Harris for:

• Demanding high standards (“take it up a notch”)

• Prioritizing confidence, accountability, and coachability

• Developing versatile DBs capable of playing man or zone seamlessly

• Connecting deeply with recruits and earning trust quickly

🔥 Why This Hire Matters

• Immediate recruiting boost in South Florida, where the Harris family is football royalty.

• A developer of young corners at a moment when FSU urgently needs improved secondary play.

• A culturally seamless fit given his ties to Norvell’s staff and the program’s current offensive/defensive leadership.

👉 Read more from the sources here, here, and here.

🏈 FSU Set to Hire Kam Martin as New Running Backs Coach 🏈

Florida State is moving quickly to replace David Johnson, and Mike Norvell is bringing in one of the fastest-rising RB developers in college football: Tulsa associate head coach Kam Martin.

🔥 Elite Track Record With 1,000-Yard Backs
Martin has produced a 1,000-yard rusher every single year he’s coached the RB position at the FBS level.

• Coached UCF star RJ Harvey to 1,416 yards & 16 TDs (2023) and 1,577 yards & 22 TDs (2024) — both Doak Walker semifinalist seasons.

• At Tulsa in 2025, coached Dominic Richardson to 1,065 yards.

• At Incarnate Word in 2022, guided Marcus Cooper to 1,436 yards, sixth-most in the FCS.

💨 Strong Ties to Gus Malzahn
Martin reunites with FSU OC Gus Malzahn, who coached him at Auburn and later hired him at UCF.

• Played RB at Auburn (2016–19): 1,564 career rushing yards, 8 TDs

• Served as UCF’s recruiting coordinator, landing 4⭐ RB Taevion Swint

• Previously targeted by Auburn’s Alex Golesh for a staff role — high national demand

🧠 Recruiting & Development Strengths
Martin brings a strong blend of:

• Proven RB development

• Recruiting chops (multiple blue-chip wins)

• Experience in Malzahn’s run scheme

• Player-first coaching approach that has consistently produced high-level backs

🔒 Why It Matters for FSU
After Johnson’s departure, FSU gains a coach with:

• A near-perfect track record of production

• A history of elevating RB rooms quickly

• Strong alignment with Malzahn’s offensive philosophy

Martin is expected to take over immediately as FSU retools its offense for 2026.

👉 Read more from the sources here and here.

⚾ FSU OF BJ Gibson Departing Program, Expected to Head JUCO Route ⚾

🔥 Gibson Announces Exit

• BJ Gibson posted “Tally, it’s been a pleasure” on Instagram earlier today, signaling his departure from the FSU baseball program.

• The decision has been confirmed.

💨 Why He’s Leaving

• After committing fully to baseball this fall, Gibson was recovering from injury and saw limited live reps.

• Strong fall performances from Noah Sheffield and John Stuetezer pushed him to roughly sixth on the outfield depth chart.

• To regain form and secure consistent playing time, Gibson is expected to pursue the JUCO route this spring.

🔒 Why It Matters
A talented two-sport athlete looking to reboot his baseball development, Gibson’s exit opens up competition in FSU’s outfield and gives him a clearer path to live at-bats elsewhere.

👉 Read more from the source here

🌀 Three More Seminoles Expected to Enter the Transfer Portal 🌀

FSU’s offseason roster churn continues as multiple players signal their intent to enter the January 2–16 transfer window — the only portal window for 2026.

🔥 RB/KR Jaylin Lucas (Offense & Special Teams Impact)

• Two-year Seminole after transferring from Indiana

• Missed most of 2024 with injury but played all 12 games in 2025

• 27 carries for 160 yards + 11 catches for 88 yards

• Key kickoff returner: 9 returns for 221 yards
  Why it matters: Lucas provided speed and versatility but never fully carved out a featured role. His departure leaves FSU thin in both the RB room and kick return game.

💨 DL Jamorie Flagg (Redshirt Freshman)

• Former 3★ signee (Class of 2024)

• Played in 3 games across two seasons

• Logged a PBU in 2024; 2 tackles across limited 2025 snaps
  Why it matters: Second DL in 48 hours to trend portal-bound, following Tyeland Coleman. Depth at the position now requires urgent attention especially with a massive 2026 DL class arriving.

🔒 DB Edwin Joseph (Former Starter)

• 4★ athlete in the 2023 class; appeared in 28 career games

• Breakout 2025: 51 tackles, 7 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 4 INT, 9 PBUs

• Became a consistent starter at safety

• Public sideline friction with Norvell earlier in the season
  Why it matters: This is the biggest loss of the group. Joseph was one of FSU’s most productive defenders in 2025 and had two years of eligibility left. Secondary depth — already strained — takes another hit.

📌 Portal Window Reminder
The NCAA has eliminated the spring window.
2026 transfer portal: Jan. 2–16 only.
Expect heavy movement both in and out during this shortened 10-day period.

👉 Read more from the sources here and here.

🧱 FSU GM Darrick Yray Targeted by UCLA 🧱

Florida State’s front office could be facing another major shakeup, as GM of Personnel Darrick Yray has emerged as a top target for UCLA’s general manager position.

🔥 Yray’s Track Record at FSU

• Joined the Seminoles in 2022, playing a major role in roster construction during FSU’s 13-win 2023 season.

• Widely credited for modernizing FSU’s personnel operation and improving roster evaluation processes.

💨 Before Tallahassee

• Previously worked at Oregon State as Director of Player Personnel.

• Helped build the roster that fueled Jonathan Smith’s turnaround of the program.

• Central California native — making a potential move to UCLA a natural geographic fit.

🔒 Why It Matters
If Yray departs, FSU would lose one of the most influential figures in its personnel department at the exact moment Mike Norvell is overhauling both roster and staff structures.

👉 Read more from the sourcing reporters here.

🏈 Will Gus Malzahn Stay at FSU for 2026? Here’s the Latest 🏈

Uncertainty around Florida State’s offensive coordinator appears to be clearing — but nothing is officially settled.

🔥 What We Know

• Gus Malzahn remains on staff and active in the football facility.

• When asked Friday if he expects both Malzahn and DC Tony White to return in 2026, Mike Norvell said:
  “Yes… nothing has changed.”

• After firing Patrick Surtain Sr., Norvell acknowledged ongoing organizational evaluations but offered no specific updates.

💨 What We’ve Heard Behind the Scenes

• Malzahn explored multiple head-coaching openings (Arkansas, UAB), both now filled.

• One staff source said there was “no way” he would return — but noted he continued working normally.

• A player-side source said Malzahn has been his usual self but added:
  “The players think he’s leaving.”

• A major shift: By Tuesday, Malzahn reportedly began telling people around the facility that he plans to be back in 2026.

• Another source said he has told potential assistant-coach candidates the same.

🧠 The Read on the Situation

• There was legitimate uncertainty.

• Malzahn likely wanted another shot at a head-coaching job.

• Norvell, for his part, would’ve been fine if that happened.

• But with jobs filled and internal signals pointing to continuity, the current momentum suggests Malzahn is increasingly likely to stay as FSU’s OC for 2026.

👉 Source: Noles247 reporting

🏈 FSU Linebacker Room: Usage, Production & 2025 Evaluation 🏈

A data-driven look at how FSU’s five-man linebacker rotation performed across the 2025 season — and where things stand heading into 2026.

🔥 Heavy Reliance on a Core Five

• The primary LB group logged 1,714 snaps — 91.5% of all LB snaps.

• Four of the five appeared in every game; Stefon Thompson missed two.

• Depth was minimal: the rest of the room combined for just 159 snaps, with AJ Cottrill leading that group (98 snaps).

💨 Production Leaders
Tackles

• Justin Cryer — 43 (15 solo)

• Blake Nichelson — 43 (24 solo)

• Elijah Herring — 41 (20 solo)

• Omar Graham Jr. — 38 (24 solo)

• Stefon Thompson — 37 (13 solo)

Impact Plays

• Nichelson: 6.5 TFL, 1 sack (team-high TFLs for the group)

• Cryer: 5 TFL, 1 sack

• Herring: 3.5 TFL, 1 sack

• Thompson: 3.5 TFL, all sacks

• Graham Jr.: 0 TFL

🧠 Advanced Metrics: Coverage Struggles
Per PFF, coverage was the unit’s biggest weakness:

• Herring: 17/19 completions allowed (89.5%), 182 yards, 4 TDs

• Thompson: 5/6 (83.3%), 29 yards

• Nichelson: 12/15 (80%), 164 yards (119 YAC)

• Graham Jr.: 11/14 (78.6%), 96 yards

• Cryer: 13/20 (65%), 105 yards, 1 TD

Other PFF notes:

• Herring had the highest missed-tackle rate: 15.7%

• Graham Jr. close behind at 15.6%

• Thompson logged the most snaps as a DL (56)

• Nichelson logged the most slot snaps (77)

💥 Disruption & Turnovers

• Cryer: 3 QB hurries (most in the group)

• Herring: 1 INT (only LB interception)

• Thompson: 1 forced fumble

• Nichelson: 1 fumble recovery

🔒 Depth Note
LB AJ Cottrill made the most of limited time: 15 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 QB hurry across appearances in every game.

📌 2026 Outlook

• Herring and Thompson have exhausted eligibility.

• Nichelson, Cryer, Graham Jr., and Cottrill could all return — giving FSU an experienced core, but one that must improve in space and coverage.

👉 Read the full breakdown from the source here.

And that’s a wrap!

From a Hermann Trophy finalist to major staff additions to more roster movement, today’s edition shows just how fast the offseason is heating up in Tallahassee. The next few weeks — with the portal window and staff restructuring — will shape the entire 2026 season, and we’ll be here breaking down every twist.

Thanks for reading The Chief Brief — the only place where all things FSU come together, clean, sharp, and Seminole-strong.

See you tomorrow.
Go Noles! 🔱