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- š¹ December 23rd - The Chief Brief š¹
š¹ December 23rd - The Chief Brief š¹
Legacy, Loyalty, and Leadership


Yesterdayās Poll Results

Todayās Poll
With the recent momentum, how do you feel about FSUās ability to flip the roster this offseason? |
š¹ Welcome to The Chief Brief! š¹
This edition brings exciting updates from the transfer portal and high school recruiting, with Florida State securing pivotal commitments and hosting high-impact prospects. Letās dive into the latest developments shaping the Seminolesā roster for the future:
šÆ FSU Legacy Duce Robinson Transfers to Tallahassee šÆ
A monumental transfer shakes the landscape as former five-star wide receiver Duce Robinson brings his size, versatility, and family legacy to FSUās offense. Coach Norvell calls him a āmatchup nightmare.ā
šØ FSU Tops the List for Four-Star RB Amari Clemons šØ
The Seminoles strengthen their ties with top 2026 talent, as running back Amari Clemons declares FSU as the leader in his recruitment.
š FSU Impresses OT Transfer Rahtrel Perry š
Offensive line reinforcements continue as Central Connecticut standout Rahtrel Perry praises FSUās culture and developmental opportunities.
š ļø Rice OL Transfer Ethan Onianwa Praises FSU Visit š ļø
A top-100 transfer portal player, Ethan Onianwa highlights his Tallahassee visit as he considers a move to bolster the Seminolesā line.
š ļø Tallahassee Native Traylon Ray Visits FSU Ahead of Deadline š ļø
Former West Virginia receiver Traylon Ray makes a late trip home, exploring how he could fit into FSUās receiving corps.
šÆ FSU Legacy Duce Robinson Transfers to Tallahassee šÆ
Florida State has made a massive splash in the transfer portal, landing former five-star wide receiver Duce Robinson from USC. The FSU legacy and son of former Seminole Dominic Robinson brings elite size, versatility, and a knack for creating matchup nightmares.
BREAKING: USC transfer WR Duce Robinson has Committed to Florida State, he tells @On3sports
The 6ā6 220 WR will have 2 years of eligibility remaining
Was ranked as a Five-Star Recruit in the ā23 Class
No. 6 Player in the Portal (On3 Industry)
on3.com/transfer-portaā¦
ā Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3)
11:58 PM ⢠Dec 22, 2024
Robinsonās Path to FSU:
High School Star: Rated the nationās No. 19 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.
USC Standout: Tallied 747 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons, excelling in both slot and wideout roles.
Legacy Connection: Returns to the program his father starred for in the early 2000s.
What Robinson Brings:
Elite Size & Versatility: At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, with a 6ā10ā wingspan, Robinsonās ability to line up as a receiver or flex tight end makes him a dynamic offensive weapon.
Playmaking Ability: Combines vertical speed with a massive catch radius to excel in one-on-one matchups and erase errant throws.
Willing Blocker: Brings physicality and effort in blocking, enhancing his value in Florida Stateās run-heavy schemes.
A trend among FSU's recent run of transfers: They care.
Duce Robinson is lauded for his physical gifts, but his effort and physicality...well, just watch:
247sports.com/college/floridā¦ā Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone)
12:10 AM ⢠Dec 23, 2024
Challenges:
While Robinson boasts impressive skills, his speed takes time to build, and his contested catch rate has room for improvement. Additional strength could elevate his game further.
A Perfect Fit:
With head coach Mike Norvellās history of maximizing big-bodied receivers like Johnny Wilson, Robinsonās potential to thrive in FSUās offense is undeniable. His versatility complements the Seminolesā vertical passing game and run-first approach.
Final Word:
āDuce was born to be a Nole,ā said Coach Norvell. āHis versatility, size, and effort make him an instant difference-maker on and off the field.ā Robinson is poised to make an immediate impact and solidify his legacy in the Garnet and Gold.
šØ FSU Tops the List for Four-Star RB Amari Clemons šØ
Florida State welcomed an elite group of 2026 high school recruits to campus on Saturday, including four-star Marianna running back Amari Clemons. With multiple visits under his belt, Clemons declared FSU as the clear frontrunner in his recruitment.
Why FSU Leads:
Coach Connection: Clemons highlighted his strong bond with running backs coach David āCoach YACā Johnson, praising his consistency and player development.
Proven Offense: New offensive coordinator Gus Malzahnās championship-winning, run-heavy schemes resonate with Clemons, who called Malzahn āa legend.ā
Close to Home: At just 45 minutes away, FSUās proximity and culture make it an appealing choice for the Marianna standout.
Clemonsā Visit Highlights:
Engaging with Coaches: Clemons appreciated the chance to spend extended time with Coach Johnson and learn more about the Seminolesā offensive philosophy.
Campus Impressions: The four-star recruit was impressed by FSUās ongoing renovations and the programās promising trajectory.
Nationally Ranked Talent: Rated as a top-20 running back and top-200 player nationally by On3, Clemons is already generating buzz as one of the most sought-after recruits in his class.
Whatās Next:
Clemons, who also lists Auburn and Florida as favorites, will continue exploring his options, but he made it clear that FSU remains at the top of his list:
āThe coaches donāt just tell me what I want to hear. The culture, the programāitās everything.ā
š FSU Impresses OT Transfer Rahtrel Perry š
Florida State rolled out the red carpet for Central Connecticut State offensive tackle Rahtrel Perry, who spent Sunday meeting with the Seminolesā coaching staff. Perry, one of the top offensive linemen in the transfer portal, left Tallahassee impressed by FSUās culture and developmental focus.
Visit Highlights:
Offensive Fit: Perry focused on understanding his role in FSUās offensive scheme and how the staff would help him grow as a left tackle.
Connection with Herb Hand: Perry valued the time spent with offensive line coach Herb Hand, praising his insights on technique and football situational awareness.
Player Profile:
Proven Talent: Perry started all 13 games at left tackle in 2024, playing 958 snaps and allowing no sacks against FBS competition (UMass and Central Michigan).
Emerging Prospect: Ranked as the No. 95 overall transfer and No. 10 offensive tackle by 247Sports, Perry has become a sought-after FCS standout.
Early Career: After limited usage in his first two seasons, Perry broke out in 2024, becoming one of the most intriguing offensive tackles in the transfer portal.
Recruitment Status:
While Perry has drawn interest from programs like Maryland, Ohio State, LSU, and Vanderbilt, he noted that FSU may be his last visit:
"It was the culture. The culture is very strong around here. They really take pride in what they stand for."
With no decision timeline set, Perry is weighing his options, prioritizing fit, culture, and development in his next destination.
š ļø Rice OL Transfer Ethan Onianwa Praises FSU Visit š ļø
Florida State hosted one of the top offensive linemen in the transfer portal this weekend, and Ethan Onianwa, the former Rice standout, left with glowing reviews of his time in Tallahassee.
Visit Highlights:
Staff Connection: Onianwa emphasized the importance of meeting FSUās coaching staff in person, stating: "Zoom calls and phone calls are nice, but in-person is a lot different."
Development Focus: Offensive line coach Herb Hand impressed Onianwa with a detailed breakdown of how the staff could help him grow: "Heās an incredibly detailed guy⦠breaking down film and comparing me to players heās coached in the past."
Norvellās Passion: Onianwa appreciated the drive and commitment of head coach Mike Norvell: "Heās a very passionate guy... dedicated to winning and succeeding."
Player Profile:
Versatile Experience: The 6-foot-6, 345-pound lineman started at right tackle for Rice in 2022 and 2023 before shifting to left tackle in 2024, where he started nine games.
Elite Protector: Onianwa allowed just one sack and five quarterback hurries last season, earning his place as a top-100 player in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Recruitment Outlook:
With interest from Ohio State, Iowa, and Texas A&M, Onianwa is considering some of the nationās top programs. However, his experience at FSU made a significant impression: "You can tell it has really good family ties, strong connection."
Whatās Next:
Onianwa plans to decide on his next school before Christmas, weighing opportunities for development, a winning culture, and camaraderie with like-minded players.
š ļø Tallahassee Native Traylon Ray Visits FSU Ahead of Transfer Portal Deadline š ļø
Florida State made a last-minute move in the transfer portal, hosting West Virginia wide receiver transfer Traylon Ray on Sundayāthe final day for visits before the December dead period.
Player Profile:
Tallahassee Roots: Ray played high school football at North Florida Christian in Tallahassee before spending the past two seasons with the Mountaineers.
Collegiate Production:
2024 Season: Caught 28 passes for 426 yards and 4 touchdowns before a leg injury cut his season short.
2023 Season: Recorded 18 receptions for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns during his true freshman campaign.
High School Recruitment: The 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver was a three-star prospect and ranked as the nationās No. 101 wide receiver by 247Sports.
FSU Connections:
Family Ties: Rayās uncle, Melvin Ray, played under new FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn at Auburn from 2012 to 2015. Notably, Melvin caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game against the Seminoles.
Whatās Next:
With Sunday marking the final opportunity for December visits, Rayās trip to FSU could set the stage for a key addition to the Seminolesā receiving corps. Rayās familiarity with the area and connections to the coaching staff make him a compelling prospect as FSU looks to bolster its offense heading into 2025.
And thatās a wrap!
As Florida State continues to make moves in recruiting and the transfer portal, the future of the program shines brighter than ever. Whether itās Duce Robinsonās explosive potential or local talent Traylon Ray returning home, the Seminoles are building something special.
Stay tuned for updates, and as always, Go āNoles! š¢ š¹
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