🏹 December 19th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Shining Stars, Transfer Tidings, and Holiday Highlights

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The Chief
December 19, 2024

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

Which FSU athlete's achievement stands out the most?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Good morning, Seminoles! As the holiday season heats up, FSU athletics continues to bring the action. From record-breaking performances to pivotal recruiting news, there’s no shortage of excitement in Garnet and Gold.

Here’s what’s on deck:

🏆 Alex Mastromanno Makes History: FSU’s star punter earns consensus All-American honors, cementing his legacy in Seminole history.

🏐 Volleyball Stars Shine Bright: Audrey Koenig and Khori Louis make program history as AVCA Third Team All-Americans.

🏊‍♂️ Diving Into Success: Florida State divers make waves on day one of the Auburn Invitational with top-six finishes and strong team performances.

🏀 Holiday Hoops Highlight: FSU women’s basketball wraps up non-conference play with a matchup against Jacksonville.

🏈 Transfer Portal Updates: Defensive end Patrick Payton enters the portal, while dynamic wide receiver O’Mega Blake shares glowing feedback from his FSU visit.

🎯 Recruiting News: Top247 edge rusher Zahir Mathis eyes an official visit to Tallahassee as the 2025 class heats up.

🌴🏖️Show Your Seminole Spirit In Style 🏖️🌴

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🏆 Alex Mastromanno Named Consensus All-American 🏆

Florida State’s redshirt senior punter Alex Mastromanno has been named a consensus All-American, becoming FSU’s 46th player to earn the prestigious honor. He is only the second Seminole punter to achieve this milestone, joining Shawn Powell from 2011.

Historic Achievements:

  • Record-Breaking Stats: Mastromanno led the nation with an ACC-record 49.3 yards per punt, including 30 punts of 50+ yards.

  • Consistency at the Top: A Ray Guy Award finalist for the second consecutive season, Mastromanno ranked second nationally with a 45.6 net yard average.

  • FSU Career Records: Mastromanno broke FSU’s all-time marks for total punts (252), total punting yards (11,304), and punting average (44.9).

Legacy:

  • Mastromanno’s consensus All-American status places him alongside FSU greats like Dalvin Cook and DeMarcus Walker, who last earned the honor in 2016.

  • The Melbourne, Australia native downed 17 punts inside the 20-yard line this season, adding to his reputation for precision and power.

As FSU’s punting leader, Mastromanno has left an indelible mark on the program and solidified his legacy as one of the best to wear Garnet and Gold.

🏐 Koenig and Louis Make FSU Volleyball History 🏐

Florida State volleyball seniors Audrey Koenig and Khori Louis have been named AVCA Third Team All-Americans, marking the first time in school history that multiple players earned spots on one of the three All-America teams.

Historic Achievements:

  • Koenig ended her career with 1,356 kills, the second-most in FSU’s rally scoring era, and a school-record streak of 10+ kills in 25 consecutive matches. She also recorded 50 service aces, the most by a Seminole since 2009.

  • Louis became FSU’s most efficient hitter, finishing with a .385 career hitting percentage and leading the ACC in 2024 with a .430 mark. She also tallied 349 kills and 118 blocks, topping the team in both categories.

Legacy:

  • Both players were named First Team All-ACC, capping off outstanding careers that cement their places as two of the best in FSU volleyball history.

  • Koenig and Louis join an elite group, becoming the fifth and sixth players in program history to earn All-America honors.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Divers Shine on Day One at Auburn Invitational 🏊‍♂️

Florida State divers kicked off the Auburn Diving Invitational with strong performances, securing four top-six finishes on the first day of competition.

Day One Highlights:

  • Team Success: Both the men’s and women’s teams earned runner-up finishes in the team event, scoring 336.65 and 330.60 points, respectively. The event included dives across 1-meter, 3-meter, and 10-meter platforms.

  • Individual Standouts:

    • Freshman Hayden Schroeder placed fifth on the 1-meter with 326.90 points.

    • Sophomore Jack Bessire followed closely in sixth with 317.60 points.

What’s Next:

The Seminoles continue competition with:

  • Women’s 1-meter and men’s 3-meter on Thursday.

  • Women’s 3-meter and men’s platform on Friday.

  • Women’s platform concluding the meet on Saturday.

Action starts daily at 11:30 a.m. ET, with live streaming available on SEC Network+ and results on Dive Meets.

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Hosts Jacksonville in Holiday Hoops 🏀

Florida State women’s basketball (10-2, 1-0 ACC) wraps up their non-conference slate on Thursday, hosting Jacksonville (6-4) at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles are 11-0 all-time against the Dolphins, including a commanding 99-73 win last season.

Game Preview:

  • Ta’Niya Latson: Leads the nation in scoring with 318 total points (28.9 PPG).

  • Offensive Powerhouse: FSU ranks second nationally in scoring, averaging 94.8 points per game.

Last Time Out:

  • Latson recorded her third consecutive 30-point game with 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting.

  • Makayla Timpson earned her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

  • FSU’s defense was stellar, forcing 16 steals and holding opponents to 33% shooting.

🏈 Patrick Payton Enters the Transfer Portal 🏈

Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal following a challenging 2024 season.

Season in Review:

  • Payton finished the year with 35 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and no forced fumbles or pass breakups.

  • A sharp contrast to his breakout 2022 campaign, where he recorded 5.0 sacks and earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Background:

  • Payton entered FSU as a four-star prospect from Miami’s Northwestern High School, flipping from Nebraska late in the recruiting cycle.

  • Over three seasons, he accumulated 16.0 career sacks and 76 total tackles.

What’s Next:

With one season of eligibility remaining, the rising redshirt senior will look to reignite his college career elsewhere. Payton’s entry into the portal marks the conclusion of a tumultuous tenure in Tallahassee.

🏈 O'Mega Blake Wraps Up Visit to Tallahassee 🏈

Speedy wide receiver O'Mega Blake concluded a one-day official visit to Florida State on Tuesday and left with high praise for the program.

Visit Highlights:

  • A Home-Like Atmosphere: “They definitely made it feel like home here,” Blake shared, emphasizing the welcoming environment created by the FSU coaching and support staff.

  • Impressions of Mike Norvell: Blake appreciated Norvell’s candidness, noting, “He’s going to tell you what it is and what it ain’t.” As a former wide receiver coach, Norvell’s passion for the position resonated deeply with Blake.

  • New Relationships: Tim Harris Jr., FSU’s new wide receivers coach, made a strong impression, with Blake highlighting Harris’ straightforward approach and experience.

Recruiting Profile:

  • A rising senior, Blake has established himself as a premier deep threat, ranking second nationally in yards-per-reception (24.84) with 795 yards and nine touchdowns on 32 catches last season.

  • 247Sports ranks him as the No. 99 overall player and No. 24 wide receiver in the Transfer Portal.

What’s Next:

Blake plans to make his decision before January 1, ideally by Christmas. FSU, in need of a revamped receiver corps, is making a strong case to land the dynamic playmaker.

🎯 Zahir Mathis Adds FSU to Visit List 🎯

Florida State is in the mix for Top247 edge rusher Zahir Mathis, who is rescheduling official visits as programs vie for his commitment to the 2025 class.

Recruiting Update:

  • Mathis has shifted his Michigan visit to January 10, allowing time to assess programs amid the transfer portal’s activity.

  • FSU and UCLA are actively working to secure official visits, while Mathis has already visited Penn State.

  • Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee, Miami, and USC are also expressing interest.

The Waiting Game:

  • Mathis, a former Ohio State commit, decommitted last month to evaluate programs more carefully.

  • Imhotep Charter School, where Mathis attends, does not allow early graduation, enabling him to take his time before signing in February.

And that’s a wrap!

As 2024 winds down, FSU’s athletic momentum is stronger than ever. From historic All-American honors to exciting recruiting updates and standout performances across sports, the Seminole spirit shines bright.

Let’s keep building on this energy as we head into 2025.

Stay connected, stay proud, and as always—Go Noles! 🍢

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