🏹 December 21st - The Chief Brief 🏹

Portal Power and Poolside Pride: FSU Takes the Spotlight

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The Chief
December 21, 2024

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Stress Free Saturday, Seminole!

This edition is packed with thrilling updates on FSU’s standout performances and recruiting victories:

🏊‍♀️ Diving Dominance: Samantha Vear claims the 3-meter crown at the Auburn Invitational, while Carlos Vargas shines on the men’s platform.

🏈 Pass Rush Boost: Western Kentucky edge rusher Deante McCray commits to FSU, adding depth and impact to the defensive line.

🏈 O-Line Reinforcements: Transfer visits continue, with OL targets Micah Pettus and Adrian Medley expressing strong interest in joining the Seminoles.

🏈 Duce Robinson Visit Buzz: FSU builds momentum in the race to land the dynamic 6-foot-6 wide receiver from USC.

🌴🏖️Show Your Seminole Spirit In Style 🏖️🌴

Gear up for beach days with the FSU-Colored SunSail Shade—the best beach shade ever made!

Lightweight, easy to set up, and built to block the heat while keeping you cool, it’s perfect for Seminoles who love the sun but hate the hassle.

🏊‍♀️ FSU Divers Continue to Dominate at Auburn Invitational 🏊‍♀️

Graduate student Samantha Vear shone on Friday, securing a decisive win in the 3-meter springboard event as Florida State’s diving team showcased its depth at the Auburn Diving Invitational. With three days of competition complete, FSU divers have consistently delivered top-tier performances.

Key Performances:

  • Samantha Vear: Clinched the 3-meter title with a stellar score of 329.70, finishing over 15 points ahead of the runner-up.

  • Kayleigh Clark: Added another podium finish, placing third with 312.15 points after her victory on 1-meter the day prior.

  • Evelyn Hall: Finished fifth with 283.05 points, demonstrating FSU’s promising future in the sport.

  • Carlos Vargas: Led the men on platform with a fifth-place finish (327.00 points), closely followed by freshmen Hayden Schroeder (6th, 314.55) and Noah Turner (8th, 301.70).

What’s Next:

The Invitational wraps up today with the women’s platform event. Action starts at 11 a.m. ET, with live results available on Dive Meets and streaming on SEC Network+.

🏈 FSU Lands Western Kentucky Edge Rusher Deante McCray 🏈

Florida State has bolstered its defensive line by securing a commitment from Western Kentucky transfer edge rusher Deante McCray. His pledge follows a recent visit to Tallahassee, solidifying the Seminoles’ efforts to enhance their pass-rushing capabilities.

McCray’s Impact:

  • 2024 Stats: Recorded 56 tackles, 21 pressures, 3 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

  • Boca Raton Bowl Performance: Logged six tackles and blocked a kick in WKU’s matchup against James Madison.

  • Proven Performer: Earned a 76.1 PFF grade, ranking as the third-highest graded EDGE in Conference USA.

Background & Fit:

  • Recruiting Profile: Originally a low three-star prospect from Jacksonville, Florida, McCray signed with WKU in the 2022 recruiting class.

  • Transfer Ranking: 247Sports ranks him as the No. 212 overall player and No. 25 edge rusher in the Transfer Portal.

  • FSU Potential: At 6-foot-4 and 283 pounds, McCray brings two years of eligibility and a proven ability to disrupt offenses, making him a valuable addition to the Seminoles’ defensive rotation.

The Competition:

FSU outpaced notable programs like Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, and California to land McCray, reinforcing its strength in the transfer market.

🏈 Ole Miss OT Micah Pettus Visits Florida State 🏈

Florida State’s efforts to reinforce its offensive line continue as Micah Pettus, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive tackle transfer from Ole Miss, visits Tallahassee on Friday.

Player Profile:

  • Experience: A redshirt junior with over 2,100 offensive snaps in the past three seasons, Pettus brings seasoned Power 5 experience.

  • 2024 Season: Played 765 snaps (primarily at right tackle) and contributed on special teams.

  • Injury History: Started every game in 2023 until a season-ending injury against Texas A&M.

FSU Connection:

  • Recruitment Revisited: Pettus has a history with the Seminoles, having visited Tallahassee during his high school recruitment in 2019 and 2020.

  • A Perfect Fit?: With gaps to fill on the offensive line, FSU’s familiarity with Pettus and his extensive playing time make him an intriguing prospect.

The Competition:

The lone 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction currently favors Texas Tech, but FSU’s longstanding interest and hosting him on campus could shift the momentum.

🏈 Adrian Medley Wraps Up Visit, Eyes FSU Commitment 🏈

Florida State hosted former UCF starting left guard Adrian Medley for an official visit, and it seems the Pensacola native is leaning heavily toward becoming a Seminole.

Visit Highlights:

  • Connection with Coaches: Medley spoke highly of offensive line coach Herb Hand, calling him a father figure who played a pivotal role in his development at UCF. He also praised offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn for his power-focused offense and head coach Mike Norvell for his infectious energy and welcoming nature.

  • Feeling at Home: Medley shared, "This right here feels like family. Like I am meant to be here."

Player Profile:

  • Experience: A 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman, Medley started all games at left guard for UCF in 2024 and has accumulated 1,378 offensive snaps in his six-year career.

  • Leadership Role: FSU sees Medley as a seasoned leader who can step in and make an immediate impact in 2025, his final year of eligibility.

The Decision:

Medley announced he doesn’t plan to visit other schools, including Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech. Instead, he intends to announce his commitment on Saturday, signaling a likely future with the Seminoles.

🏈 Duce Robinson Visits FSU, Seminoles Gaining Momentum 🏈

Former five-star recruit Duce Robinson, a standout wide receiver in the transfer portal, is on an official visit to Florida State, and momentum appears to be shifting in favor of the Seminoles.

Key Details:

  • FSU Connections: Robinson is the son of former FSU football and baseball player Dominic Robinson, adding a familial connection to his recruitment.

  • Impressive Collegiate Record: In two seasons at Southern Cal, Robinson recorded 39 catches for 747 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his ability as a big-play threat.

  • Recruiting Buzz: On3’s Pete Nakos placed a pick for Robinson to land at FSU, noting strong momentum during his visit.

Visit Highlights:

  • Robinson arrived late Thursday and will remain on campus through Friday.

  • He was accompanied by new FSU quarterback signee Thomas Castellanos, who has been in close communication with Robinson throughout the recruiting process.

The Competition:

Robinson has also visited Arizona State and UCLA this week. It is unclear if additional visits are scheduled, but FSU’s pitch seems to be resonating.

Robinson’s size (6-foot-6) and playmaking ability would make him a major addition to FSU’s offense, offering quarterback Castellanos an elite target for the 2025 season.

🏈 Transfer Portal Update: Key Visitors to FSU 🏈

Florida State is making waves in the transfer portal, hosting a flurry of high-impact prospects. Here's a breakdown of the latest visitors and where the Seminoles stand in their recruitments:

OT Micah Pettus – Ole Miss

  • Details: The towering 6-foot-8, 318-pound tackle visited FSU on Friday. A starter for Ole Miss since 2022, Pettus has logged over 2,000 snaps in his collegiate career.

  • 2024 Season: Allowed just one sack while playing 765 snaps at right tackle.

  • Recruitment Status: Ranked as the ninth-best offensive tackle in the portal, Pettus is also evaluating NFL Draft options.

OL Adrian Medley – UCF

  • Details: Medley, a Pensacola native, wrapped up his FSU visit on Friday. A key connection to FSU includes former UCF coaches Gus Malzahn and Herb Hand.

  • 2024 Season: Started every game at left guard, playing over 800 snaps with a strong pass-blocking grade of 73.3.

  • Recruitment Status: Medley is expected to announce his decision Saturday and hinted that FSU feels like “family.”

OT Keagen Trost – Wake Forest

  • Details: Trost, a consistent starter in 2024, will visit FSU on Saturday following stops at Missouri and Nebraska.

  • 2024 Season: Played 772 snaps at right tackle, allowing three sacks against high-level opponents.

  • Recruitment Status: Rated an 84 overall in the portal, Trost is evaluating his options with FSU firmly in the mix.

WR Duce Robinson – USC

  • Details: The former five-star recruit is currently visiting FSU. The son of FSU alum Dominic Robinson, Duce is a dynamic receiver with game-changing potential.

  • 2024 Season: Tallied 396 yards and five touchdowns on 23 receptions.

  • Recruitment Status: FSU is seen as a frontrunner, with momentum building after his visit began on Friday.

IOL Ethan Onianwa – Rice

  • Details: Onianwa has emerged as one of the most coveted interior offensive linemen in the portal, thanks to his dominant 2024 season.

  • 2024 Season: Allowed just one sack across 549 snaps.

  • Recruitment Status: Currently visiting Texas A&M, but FSU is pushing to secure a visit soon.

And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles dive into another packed weekend of competitions and commitments, the momentum is undeniable.

With standout performances in the pool, impactful additions from the portal, and key recruiting battles heating up, FSU fans have every reason to stay tuned. Thanks for being part of The Chief Brief—where the Garnet and Gold always shine brightest.

See you next time, and as always, Go Noles! 🌴🏹

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