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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Playoff Saturday, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Gets Right at Home 🏀
A wire-to-wire blowout snapped the skid, highlighted by defensive pressure, balanced scoring, and another milestone in Martin Somerville’s shooting streak.

⚽ FSU Soccer’s Dynasty Earns National Recognition ⚽
Brian Pensky and his staff were named National Coaching Staff of the Year after another title run that reinforced Florida State as the sport’s gold standard.

🏀 Holiday Hoops at the Tucker Center 🏀
FSU Women’s Basketball closes the homestand with a festive matchup against South Carolina State before the holiday break.

🎥 QB Film Room: Evaluating a Portal Option 🎥
A deep dive into Colton Joseph’s tape — what fits, what doesn’t, and why “steady” might not be enough for where FSU wants to go.

🏈 QB Movement Continues 🏈
Jaylen King exits via the portal as Florida State’s quarterback room continues to turn over ahead of a pivotal offseason.

🏈 Secondary Help on the Radar 🏈
Veteran corner Jaquez White checks every box FSU needs, and the Seminoles are emerging as a serious contender.

🏈 2027 Recruiting Watch 🏈
Jabari Watkins reopens his recruitment, and the childhood favorite Seminoles may have a real chance to press for one of Georgia’s top playmakers.

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🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Rolls Past Mississippi Valley State 🏀

Florida State snapped its skid in emphatic fashion Friday night, cruising to a 96–49 win over Mississippi Valley State at the Tucker Center.

🔥 Offensive Balance on Display

• Chauncey Wiggins: Team-high 16 points, eighth double-figure game this season

• Cam Miles: 15 points, 5 assists; scored 8 during a decisive first-half run

• Robert McCray V: 13 points, game-high 7 assists; double figures in five straight

• Thomas Bassong: Career-high 10 points off the bench

💨 Game Control from the Jump

• McCray V opened with a three — FSU never trailed

• Seminoles closed the first half on a 15–2 run

• Held MVSU to 17 first-half points, the fewest allowed by FSU in any half this season

📊 Defense + Hustle

• Forced 25 turnovers, converting them into 31 points

• Recorded 14 steals

• Won the rebounding battle 40–31

• Alex Steen: Game-high 9 rebounds (5 offensive), continuing to lead the ACC in OREBs

🎯 Streaks & Notes

• Martin Somerville: Hit a three again’ now 40 straight games with a made triple

• Shah Muhammad: Season-high 7 points + 2 blocks in the second half

• FSU improves to 6–6 overall and 6–1 at home

📅 What’s Next
Florida State closes non-conference play Monday, Dec. 22, hosting Jacksonville at 7:00 p.m. ET.

👉 Read more for rotation notes, defensive takeaways, and what this performance means heading into ACC play

⚽ FSU Soccer Coaching Staff Named National Staff of the Year ⚽

Florida State’s dominance at the top of women’s college soccer was formally recognized Friday, as the Seminoles’ coaching staff earned National Coaching Staff of the Year honors from United Soccer Coaches.

🔥 The Award

• Head coach Brian Pensky and his staff earned the honor after leading FSU to its fifth national championship

• Third time in program history receiving the award (2020, 2023, 2025)

• Pensky now a two-time National Coaching Staff of the Year recipient

🏆 A Dynasty Under Pensky

• Record at FSU: 70–7–12 (.854 win percentage) — best in the nation since 2022

• Two national titles (2023, 2025)

• Three College Cup appearances in four seasons

• Five ACC titles (2 regular season, 3 tournament)

💨 2025 Title Run

• Final record: 16–2–4

• 6–0–0 in the NCAA Tournament

• Beat:

  • Samford (4–0)

  • Lipscomb (1–0)

  • Georgetown (3–1, road)

  • Ohio State (4–1)

  • TCU (1–0)

  • Stanford (1–0, National Championship)

• Closed the season 8–0–1, outscoring opponents 18–3

🌟 Team-Wide Excellence

• Three All-Americans, including Hermann Trophy finalist Jordynn Dudley

• Heather Gilchrist: All-American, Academic All-American, Scholar All-American

• Multiple Best XI, All-ACC, All-Region, and Academic honors

• Two College Cup Most Outstanding Players

👉 Read more on how Pensky’s program has positioned FSU as the sport’s gold standard

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Hosts South Carolina State for Holiday Hoops 🏀

Florida State wraps up its December homestand Saturday afternoon with a festive matchup at the Tucker Center.

🔥 Game Snapshot

• Opponent: South Carolina State (3–10)

• Date/Time: Saturday | 2:00 p.m. ET

• Location: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

• Broadcast: ACC Network Extra

• Radio: 96.5 The Spear | SiriusXM App

👉 Read more for lineup notes, broadcast info, and what FSU is emphasizing heading into the break

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🎥 Colton Joseph Film Analysis 🎥

The Target: Colton Joseph, QB, Old Dominion. The Profile: 6’2”, 200 lbs. Led ODU to a 9-3 record with 2,600 passing yards and 1,000+ rushing yards.

The Breakdown:

• System Fit: Joseph is a natural for a Gus Malzahn offense, which traditionally thrives when quarterbacks approach 1,000 rushing yards. ODU ran the most RPOs in the country, making him a plug-and-play fit for Malzahn's scheme.

• The "Pro" Tape: Analysts noted a compact release and better pocket composure than previous options; he is willing to hang in the pocket to attack the middle of the field.

• The "Con" Tape: He struggled significantly against elite competition (e.g., 96 yards and 3 INTs vs. Indiana). His accuracy is described as "scattershot," with a completion percentage that frequently dipped into the low 50s against disciplined defenses.

The Bottom Line: Joseph is a "fine to good" Sun Belt starter but may not be the "game-changer" needed to elevate a struggling roster. Experts suggest he offers a high floor for reaching a bowl game, but likely won't be the catalyst for an ACC Championship run.

Analogy for the Road: Bringing in Joseph is like hiring a steady middle manager for a company in crisis. He knows the software and won't crash the system, but he lacks the "it factor" required to innovate the brand or lead a total market takeover.

Read more and find the YouTube video here

🏈 QB Jaylen King Enters Transfer Portal After One Season at FSU 🏈

Florida State will see another quarterback move on as offseason roster reshuffling continues.

🔥 The Move

• Jaylen King is leaving FSU via the NCAA Transfer Portal

• Joined the Seminoles from East Tennessee State during last spring’s portal window

• Appeared in one game (vs. Kent State) and earned a redshirt in 2025

🧠 Career Context

• Fourth school in his college career (Gardner-Webb → ETSU → FSU → next stop)

• ETSU (2024):

  • 1,536 passing yards, 9 TDs, 11 INTs

  • 422 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs

• Gardner-Webb (Freshman):

  • 1,223 passing yards, 11 TDs

  • 391 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs

👉 Read more for how this impacts FSU’s QB depth chart and portal priorities

🏈 FSU Emerging as a Top Suitor for Portal CB Jaquez White 🏈

Florida State is expected to be firmly in the mix for one of the more productive veteran cornerbacks entering the portal.

🔥 Who He Is

• Jaquez White

• Cornerback | 6’1”, 190 lbs

• Troy (2025) | Second-Team All–Sun Belt

• One year of eligibility remaining

📊 2025 Production at Troy

• 67 tackles (4th on team)

• 3.5 TFL

• Team-high 3 INTs

• 11 pass breakups

• Allowed just 37 catches on 67 targets (PFF)

🧠 Why He’s Drawing Power Four Interest

• PFF overall grade: 86.4

  • Coverage: 86.6

  • Run defense: 86.1

• Proven upward trajectory:

  • Division II (Washburn) → Sun Belt → Power Four interest

• Former multi-sport standout from Pierce County High (GA)

📍 Why FSU Makes Sense

• Florida State expected to be a top-three contender

• Appeal of returning closer to home (Blackshear, GA)

• Clear opportunity at cornerback with:

  • Jerry Wilson graduated

  • Ja’Bril Rawls expected to enter the portal

  • Edwin Joseph also departing

🔒 Why It Matters
White checks every box Florida State needs right now: veteran experience, proven ball production, strong PFF grades, and immediate readiness.

👉 Read more for how White fits FSU’s secondary rebuild and where his recruitment stands heading into the portal window

🏈 FSU in Strong Position After 2027 WR Jabari Watkins Reopens Recruitment 🏈

One of the top offensive playmakers in the 2027 class is back on the market and Florida State is very much in the conversation.

🔥 Who He Is

• Jabari Watkins

• Wide Receiver | 6’3”, 185 lbs

• Thomas County Central (GA)

• Rivals: No. 30 WR nationally | No. 209 overall | Top-30 player in Georgia

📊 Junior Season Production

• 57 receptions

• 882 yards

• 11 touchdowns

• State Championship Game: 6 catches, 78 yards in a 62–21 win

🧠 Why FSU Is a Real Threat

• Grew up in Tallahassee and has long dreamed of playing for FSU

• Took multiple visits to campus (spring, summer, and a fall game)

• Strong relationship with WR coach Tim Harris Jr.

• Impressed by the development of Micahi Danzy and Lawayne McCoy

🧲 Extra Pull for the Seminoles

• Former high school teammate Cam Brooks recently signed with FSU

• Watkins has openly said Brooks’ presence makes Tallahassee even more appealing

🗣️ What Watkins Said

• Likes how FSU “pushes the ball out” and features playmakers

• Praised Harris as a detailed teacher and developer

• Still plans to explore options, with Auburn, South Carolina, Texas, and Illinois pushing

🔒 Why It Matters
Watkins has made it clear the Seminoles are the childhood favorite and if FSU applies real pressure, they’ll be tough to beat. With elite size, proven production, and deep ties to Tallahassee, Watkins fits exactly what the staff looks for at wide receiver in the 2027 cycle.

👉 Read more for how FSU stacks up against the field and what to watch as spring visits approach

And that’s a wrap!

A much-needed reset night for men’s hoops, another national stamp of approval for the soccer dynasty, and no shortage of football breadcrumbs as portal season and recruiting pressure continue to heat up.

Some programs are chasing stability. Others are defending standards. Florida State is doing a little of both right now — and the next few weeks will tell us which side wins out.

We’ll be here to break it all down.

— The Chief