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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

FSU’s offseason has officially begun — and the first waves of change are already rolling in. Today’s edition digs into the early power shifts behind the scenes, where the program’s most meaningful shakeups may happen long before any coaching news breaks.

We’re also tracking quarterback uncertainty, a full reset of the transfer class, a historic performance on the court, and one superstar wideout with a massive decision ahead.

Here’s what’s inside:

🔧 FSU’s Offseason Overhaul Begins (Quietly) 🔧
Norvell says changes are coming “immediately,” but the only visible movement so far is in the administrative ranks — including a looming GM hire that could fundamentally reshape the structure of the program.

🏈 Castellanos Sends Mixed Signals About 2026 🏈
The QB opened his presser sounding like he was preparing to leave — then clarified he would like to return to FSU if granted a waiver.

🔄 Transfer Class Reset: Who’s Gone & Who Can Return 🔄
FSU loses nearly its entire starting OL and several defensive anchors. But a solid skill-position core could remain if key players return.

🏀 Noles Break 3-Point Record in Shootout With Oklahoma 🏀
A barrage of 19 threes wasn’t enough against No. 9/8 Oklahoma, but FSU’s women’s basketball team delivered one of the most electric shooting performances in school history.

🌟 Duce Robinson’s Historic Season — And What Comes Next 🌟
FSU’s No. 1 receiver just delivered a top-10 all-time year. Now he faces a major decision: return and dominate, or head to the NFL.

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🔧 Inside FSU’s Offseason Overhaul: What’s Actually Happening 🔧

Florida State’s promise of “fundamental changes” after a second straight losing season has begun (kinda) — and the earliest movement is happening off the field, not on it.

🔥 Norvell: Changes Are Coming — But Still No Details
After apologizing again for the UF loss, Mike Norvell repeated that FSU “must be drastically better” and that the overhaul “starts immediately.”
But when pressed on staff decisions — including the futures of coordinators Gus Malzahn and Tony White — he offered nothing concrete beyond:
“There will be a time and place for that evaluation.”

Meanwhile, FSU faces major roster turnover with six senior OL departing, multiple defensive starters gone, and key juniors (Duce Robinson, Randy Pittman, Earl Little) weighing NFL decisions. QB Tommy Castellanos wants to return if the NCAA grants his fifth year.

🏛️ Actual Movement: Administrative Shakeup Underway
While Norvell stays quiet, the administration has already begun restructuring:

• Senior Associate AD Bruce Warwick met with the entire off-field support staff to warn that shakeups are coming.

• FSU is now accepting résumés for a new General Manager, with early indications the GM will report directly to the Athletic Director — not Norvell.

• Two early names of interest have emerged:

  • Martin Mayhew (Commanders senior personnel executive, former Lions GM)

  • Brian Xanders (Jaguars senior advisor, former Broncos GM)
    Both are FSU alums with extensive NFL front-office experience.

🧠 Why It Matters
For now, the only confirmed steps are happening behind the scenes — not on the coaching staff. But shifting the GM role to report straight to the AD suggests tighter oversight, a revamped personnel structure, and the first tangible moves of the promised “fundamental changes” meant to reset the program in 2026.

👉 Full details on the internal shakeup and Norvell’s offseason plans are in the original reports here and here.

🎙️ Castellanos Hopes for Waiver — but Sounds Uncertain About 2026 Return 🎙️ 

FSU QB Tommy Castellanos struck a surprisingly reflective tone after the loss to Florida, sounding at first like a player preparing to move on — before clarifying he wants to return if the NCAA grants him a fifth year.

🔥 Mixed Signals From the Podium

• Opened his presser by saying FSU will “get it right next year” and “get the right guys in.”

• Added that the offense “will be pretty good next year,” sounding like he expected to watch from afar.

💭 Does He Want to Come Back?

• Castellanos is seeking a waiver for an extra year because his 2022 bowl appearance no longer counts against eligibility.

• When asked directly whether he hopes to return:
  “Yeah, I hope to be here, but I don’t know what the future holds.”

❤️ If Waiver Approved: Only One Option
Once pressed on whether he'd play elsewhere if granted the extra year, he was emphatic:
“Oh, no. I’ll be here at Florida State if I can.”
He called FSU his dream school and said he's “living [his] dream” playing quarterback in garnet and gold.

🧠 Why It Matters
FSU’s quarterback room could swing dramatically depending on this ruling — and Castellanos made it clear he wants back in if the NCAA says yes.

👉 Full comments available here.

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🔄 Transfer Class Reset: Who’s Gone, Who Can Return & What FSU Must Replace 🔄

Florida State’s massive 23-man transfer class carried a heavy load in 2025 — but now the roster picture for 2026 is taking shape. Here’s a clean breakdown of how the transfer group shakes out heading into a pivotal offseason.

🔥 Starters With No Eligibility Remaining
FSU loses its entire starting offensive line and several defensive anchors:

• QB Tommy Castellanos — out unless NCAA grants waiver

• C Luke Petitbon — team’s top OL grade

• OT Micah Pettus

• OG Adrian Medley

• LT Gunnar Hansen

• CB Jerry Wilson — 3 INTs

• LB Elijah Herring — 41 tackles

• TE Markeston Douglas

• WR Squirrel White

• LB Stefon Thompson — 3.5 sacks

• WR Gavin Blackwell

💡 Why This Hurts
FSU must replace all five starting OL, plus multiple defensive leaders.

🔁 Starters With Eligibility Remaining
These players who COULD return to form FSU’s potential 2026 core:

• WR Duce Robinson — ACC’s leading receiver

• RB Gavin Sawchuk — 486 yards, 8 TD

• TE Randy Pittman — 5 total TDs

• DE James Williams

• DL Deante McCray — 73.2 PFF

• DE Jayson Jenkins

📈 Why This Helps
A legitimate skill-position nucleus — if they all stay.

🔧 Contributors Who Can Still Return
Depth pieces, developmental players, and future rotation options:

• S Jarvis Boatwright — 3 years left

• OL Josh Raymond — 3 years left

• OL Ja’Elyne Matthews — 4 years left

• QB Jaylen King — 2 years left

• LB Caleb LaVallee — 2 years left

• DE Deamontae Diggs — could apply for extra year

🧠 Why It Matters
FSU returns talent — but loses volume. The Seminoles will again need an aggressive portal cycle, especially along the offensive line and second level of the defense.

👉 Full breakdown available via the original report

🏀 Women’s Basketball Sets Program 3-Point Record in Shootout Loss to No. 9 Oklahoma 🏀

Florida State fell 109–91 to No. 9/8 Oklahoma in the Great Egret Division final, but the Noles caught fire from deep — breaking the program record with 19 made threes (19-of-41). It’s also the most triples FSU has ever hit against a top-10 opponent.

🔥 Historic Shooting Night
FSU hit at least five threes in three different quarters, including opening the game with six straight three-point field goals — every first-quarter basket came from deep.

The previous record?
18 vs Miami (Jan. 1, 2025).
FSU now owns the new top mark.

🌟 Top Performers

Jasmine Shavers — 24 points

• Second 20-point game of the season

• 4 threes

Sydney Bowles — 18 points

• 6-of-9 from three

• Tied career-high with six triples

Emma Risch — 16 points

• Season-high

• 4 made threes

Solè Williams — 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists

• Named to the All-Tournament Team

• Averaged 18 PPG over the event

Rebounding leaders:
Kubek, Davis, Williams — all with 6 boards.

📉 How It Played Out

• FSU led most of the 1st before a late OU surge made it 22–21.

• Noles used an 11–2 run in the 2nd to grab the lead but trailed 43–42 at halftime.

• A third-quarter offensive burst from Shavers (10 pts) kept FSU within range.

• Both teams exploded offensively in the 4th, but OU’s efficiency inside sealed it.

⏭️ Next Up
FSU returns home Wednesday, Dec. 3 to host Georgia in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
📺 ESPNU — 5 p.m.

👉 Full recap available via the original report

🌟 Duce Robinson Delivers Historic Season — Now a Major Decision Awaits 🌟

Florida State’s 2025 season didn’t end the way anyone hoped, but one constant bright spot was superstar WR Duce Robinson, who put together one of the most prolific receiving seasons in program history.

🔥 A True No. 1 Receiver
The 6’6”, 223-pound USC transfer arrived with enormous expectations — and exceeded them:

• 56 receptions, 1,074 yards, 6 TD

• First FSU WR to hit 1,000 yards since 2019

• Accounted for 35.3% of all team receiving yards

• Five 100-yard games, including three straight

• Ranks No. 9 all-time in FSU single-season receiving yards

• 19.2 YPC, fifth-highest among the top-10 seasons in school history

In just one year, Robinson rewrote the Noles’ passing game — becoming the offense’s stabilizing force in an otherwise turbulent season.

💬 Why He Chose FSU — And Why It Paid Off
Before the UF game, Robinson reflected on the move:

“I believed in myself, and they believed in me… Coach Norvell, Coach Malzahn, Coach Harris — they pushed me even when I didn’t want to be pushed. I’m beyond blessed I ended up at Florida State.”

He added that he grew up dreaming of wearing Garnet & Gold:

“I envisioned myself playing at Doak… to be on that list with the greatest receivers in school history is truly incredible.”

🚨 Now the Big Question: Does He Return?
Robinson didn’t commit to a decision postgame, saying only that there will be “a time and a place” for that conversation.

Current draft stock per PFF’s 2026 Big Board:

• No. 30 WR

• No. 215 overall

He could rise dramatically with one more year — but there’s real NFL interest.

🧠 Why It Matters
If Robinson returns, FSU enters 2026 with a legitimate All-ACC (and potentially All-American) headliner. If he departs, the Noles lose their most consistent weapon and face an even steeper offensive rebuild.

👉 Full feature available via the original report

And that’s a wrap!

Thanks for reading today’s edition, and for riding along as this wild offseason begins. Between staff evaluations, administrative turnover, roster decisions, and Duce’s looming call, this next month may end up defining the next three years of FSU football.

We’ll keep bringing you every update that matters — clearly, quickly, and without the noise.

Until tomorrow,
— Chief